US shoppers start stocking up on essentials as port strikes push prices “higher than ever.”

As American shipping ports from Texas to Maine prepare for a possible strike, consumers are starting to stock up on essential goods as experts warn that the industry conflict could lead to shortages and price increases on everyday items.

“If there is a strike, supermarket prices will rise higher than ever,” John Catsimatidis, chairman and CEO of Gristedes and D'Agostino Supermarkets, said on Varney & Co. Monday.

“I wasn't prepared because I didn't know anything (about the strike), but now that I know, I'm going to investigate. I'll check it out,” a woman told FOX Business's Madison Alworth at Gristedes on Friday in New York City. “I would stock up on as much, not ridiculous, but at least try to have a few extra things just in case.”

“Yeah, I’m (concerned),” another shopper told Alworth. “As it is, it's difficult to make ends meet. It’s going to get worse.”

The Longshoremen Union's call for a total ban on automation is being questioned given the threat of a strike at the port

Unionized dock workers in the International Dockers' Associationwhich represents 45,000 members at ports on the East and Gulf Coasts, could go on strike starting Oct. 1 if an agreement is not reached by the end of Monday.

Some U.S. shoppers are stocking up on essentials ahead of a possible Oct. 1 port strike. (Getty Images)

The two sides of the labor dispute have been at an impasse over issues such as wages and automation at ports. A strike would likely have a domino effect on container availability, storage, rail and truck freight, and food supplies.

“They closed the Suez Canal, the Red Sea is closed. If there's a strike on the East Coast, they'll shut down. Guess what? Prices will rise to the moon,” Catsimatidis warned.

A third shopper said he had “not had any problems” stocking up on essentials so far, but planned to “keep an eye on what's going on.”

The fourth shopper FOX Business spoke to said he will “probably most likely stock up” to avoid potential inventory shortages like during the COVID pandemic, but will shop “day by day.”

“I've been so busy that I haven't done it (adjusting my shopping habits), but if I hadn't been busy I would probably shop in Westchester and bring the food here because it's a lot cheaper up there,” one said previous buyer. “I feel like prices are already so high because of the current government and I think it’s only going to get worse.”

With a JP Morgan analysis estimating that a strike would cost the U.S. economy up to $5 billion a day, Catsimatidis argued that the outlook for the Biden administration and Harris-Walz campaign couldn't be worse .

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“This will not be very good for Vice President Harris because she relies on lower prices. Guess what? There is no price gouging when prices are rising higher than ever before,” the grocery giant said.

“Where is this administration?” he posited. “Prices will rise higher than ever. (Biden) should stop doing this at least until after the election.”

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FOX Business' Suzanne O'Halloran contributed to this report.