Exporters in Country X are facing lower revenues due to a shortage of the large metal shipping containers in which they send their goods by sea to other countries. Fewer containers arrive in Country X due to reductions in imports. This has meant lost orders, costly delays, and a scramble for alternatives, such as air freight, all of which are costlier. Moreover, the revenues of exporters in Country X will probably continue to decline in the near future. This is because other countries are likely to find it increasingly unprofitable to export their goods to Country X, and because __________.

Which of the following would most logically complete the passage?

A:production of shipping containers in Country X is growing rapidly as a response to the shortage

B:shipping companies are willing to move containers from country to country only when the containers are full

C:the cost of shipping alternatives such as air freight is likely to stabilize in the near future

D:consumers in Country X are purchasing more products than ever before

E:the worldwide demand for goods made in Country X has only recently begun to rise after a long decline