Apple’s main iPhone/iPad suppliers affected by epidemic blockade

According to the latest report, the new Covid-19 outbreak in Kunshan, Jiangsu, China has led to new lockdowns that could hamper Apple’s iPhone and iPad production. Authorities in Kunshan have ordered all 2.1 million residents to stay at home and undergo daily testing as neighboring Shanghai recorded a seventh straight day of record Covid-19 cases.

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Many factories in the city, including key parts of Apple’s supply chain, were also ordered to stop production. Several of Apple’s largest supply chain partners are in Kunshan, including Foxconn, Pegatron, Wistron, and Luxshare. Everything from printed circuit boards to equipment components is produced in the city.

Moreover, authorities in Kunshan have reportedly ordered Wistron and Pegatron to suspend production of equipment for consumer electronics manufacturers. While Apple wasn’t mentioned, the company’s production is likely to be affected.

The factory shutdown took effect on April 2 and will continue until April 12. However, any worsening of the Covid-19 situation in Shanghai could lead to further lockdowns in Kunshan.

Furthermore, factory shutdowns will further drag on global supply chains, which are currently experiencing shortages and other issues related to the pandemic and global events. In March, the shutdown in Shenzhen affected the shipment of Apple’s Mac Studio and other products.

Kunshan, Jiangsu announced on the evening of April 7 that the prevention and control situation is severe and complicated due to the spread of local epidemics caused by farmers’ markets in Kunshan. 

In order to better cooperate with surrounding cities to fight the epidemic and completely and completely block the spread of the local epidemic, after the judgment of disease control experts, it was decided to extend the “silent period” for four days, from 24:00 on April 8 to 24:00 on April 12, 2022.

(via)