Preparing for Chinese New Year: Avoiding supply chain disruption in 2025

Chinese New Year (CNY) is a time of celebration across China but presents significant challenges for shippers, and careful planning is essential to navigate the disruption effectively.

In 2025, the holiday officially runs from 29th January to 4th February, with its effects on production and logistics stretching weeks before and after these dates.

Production and logistics in China begin slowing well before the official holiday period. Workers start taking leave in early January, significantly reducing manufacturing output by mid-month. During the official CNY public holidays, factories, ports, and freight services shut down entirely. Although operations resume after the Lantern Festival on 12th February, it can take until mid-March for production and shipping networks to return to normal capacity.

This extended downtime creates a ripple effect across industries dependent on Chinese manufacturing, including electronics, textiles, toys, and automotive parts. The period is characterised by delayed production schedules, increased freight costs, and severe supply chain bottlenecks.

Key challenges during CNY
1. Severe delays: Factory closures lead to delayed production and delivery schedules, particularly for industries with complex supply chains.

2. Increased costs: Freight rates spike before the holiday due to high demand, often including peak season surcharges. Post-CNY, container shortages and port congestion further inflate costs.

3. Labour shortages: Even after the holiday ends, the staggered return of workers impacts production capacity, causing additional delays.

4. Inventory challenges: Businesses relying on “just-in-time” manufacturing face stock shortages as lead times lengthen significantly.

Mitigation strategies for businesses
To minimise disruption, businesses must adopt proactive strategies to maintain continuity during and after the CNY period.

Plan shipments early: Secure carrier bookings well in advance to avoid delays or last-minute surcharges. Less-than-container loads (LCL) can offer flexibility if full container capacity is unavailable.

Diversify suppliers and routes: Reduce dependency on single suppliers or ports. Consider alternative shipping methods, such as air freight, to mitigate delays.

Optimise inventory management: Build up stock levels for high-demand products before January to account for production slowdowns.

Enhance communication: Collaborate with suppliers, logistics providers, and customers to align timelines and contingency plans. Clear communication ensures all parties are prepared for potential delays.

Post-holiday recovery: Prepare for a gradual return to normalcy by staggering production schedules and allocating resources to handle delayed shipments.

Key dates to consider
22nd January to 9th February 2025: Potential for reduced production.
29th January to 4th February 2025: Official public holidays.
12th February 2025: Lantern Festival; operations typically resume.

Metro’s proactive strategies, powered by our advanced MVT technology, keep your supply chain running smoothly during Chinese New Year.

With our MVT technology, vendor management is seamless and fully transparent down to SKU level. This powerful tool empowers you to monitor every milestone in your supply chain, enabling timely and informed decisions to effectively navigate challenges.

Chinese New Year doesn’t have to disrupt your operations. With Metro’s expertise, global partnerships, and cutting-edge MVT technology, you can avoid delays, optimise costs, and maintain critical inventory levels.

EMAIL Andrew Smith, Chief Commercial Officer, today to discover how Metro can support your supply chain through Chinese New Year 2025.