Global supply chain disruptions intensified last month, reaching their highest point since early 2023, according to new data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York released Monday.
The bank’s Global Supply Chain Pressure Index climbed to 0.68 in March, up from February’s reading of 0.54. When the index sits at zero, it indicates typical supply chain conditions, while positive numbers signal increasing strain on global logistics networks.
While the New York Fed didn’t specify what drove March’s increase, the uptick likely stems from disruptions connected to ongoing Middle East conflicts involving U.S.-Israeli military actions against Iran. Despite the recent climb, current supply chain stress remains far below the peak of 4.49 recorded in December 2021, when pandemic-related shutdowns severely impacted the global economy.
