Volume of cargo thefts are down 26%, but doubled in monetary value over last year

The number of cargo thefts have significantly decreased while the value of what is stolen has massively increased over the last year, a recent study shows. 

A study conducted by Verisk CargoNet compared Q2 2026 cargo thefts to the previous quarter and Q2 2025. 677 cargo theft incidents were documented in this most recent quarter valued at $304.6 million. These stats show that second quarter cargo theft in 2026 is down 14% from Q1, and down 26% from Q2 in 2025 a year ago. However, the $304.6 million in losses is more than double the monetary losses for Q2 2025, which came in at $135.7 million in losses. 

According to the study, the average value of cargo thefts where the merchandise has a reported value reached $564,009, citing a small number of hugely valuable cargo thefts that have influenced that average. The study also shows that the decline in number of cargo thefts was likely due to fewer online schemes involving fraudulent carriers posing as legitimate companies online, booking loads, and then never delivering. Fewer instances of organized crime cargo thefts involving parked loaded tractor trailers were also recorded. 

Food and beverage theft went down overall, while the theft of metal and high-level technology increased. Business email hacks by organized criminal organizations were also a prevalent method for much of the online-based cargo theft in Q2. 

“Lower incident volume should not be mistaken for lower risk,” said Keith Lewis, vice president of operations at Verisk CargoNet. “The groups driving the largest losses are not necessarily trying to steal more freight; they are trying to identify the right shipment. Their focus on metals and enterprise technology shows how closely organized cargo theft now follows value, demand and resale opportunity.”