Today’s Global Shortages That Might Be Impacting You

Cause: Shipping container shortage
Effect: Grumpy coffee lovers across the U.S

The pandemic resulted in a massive increase in global commerce, which is a very positive thing except that we found ourselves with a shortage of shipping containers. This caused delays on imports and one of the major consequences of that is a shortage of coffee.

Coffee ©amenic181 / Shutterstock.com

Coffee lovers across the country had to ration the hot, toasty beverage. U.S stockpiles of coffee are at a six year low, which is despite a record crop in Brazil. Between poor weather and exorbitant shipping costs, we just have to hope that Starbucks has our backs. 

Cause: Increase in barbecues
Effect: A change in Fourth of July plans for many diners 

According to food industry sources, there is a somewhat happy reason that people are experiencing a hot dog shortage. Hot dogs, bacon, and other pork products are experiencing shortages, but that is because of an increasing number of barbecues and other social events.

Hot Dogs @sdcattractions / Facebook.com

Hot dogs are in high demand, and the supply already was limited because of 2020’s hog shortage. As more and more people get vaccinated, there are more social events, and hamburgers and hotdogs are an American staple. As one food industry reporter told BestLifeOnline, it might even be “tough” for buyers to find “bargains on meat…this summer.”

Cause: Low demand
Effect: Low supply and high prices 

With social distancing and extra hygiene practices in place, it’s no wonder that fewer people rented cars. Not to mention the travel restrictions, and let’s face it – vacations are pretty much the only time we rent cars anyway. Due to lower demand, many car rental companies sold off their cars in order to keep afloat.

Rental Cars ©Friends Stock / Shutterstock.com

The travel industry has been one of the hardest hit and rented cars are no exception to this. Now that people are slowly starting to travel again, the supply is down and there is still no certainty about the demand either. This of course drives the prices up for those potential customers, who might be better off at this stage finding an alternative solution. 

Cause: Higher than usual demand
Effect: Scattered shortages across retail channels

Many of us struggled in the last year and a half with lack of companionship, and the solution for a large part of the population to this problem was to adopt a pet. Dogs were in high demand and thus created an unusually high demand for pet food.

Pet food ©antoniodiaz / Shutterstock.com

Some stores have even struggled to keep their shelves stocked due to the unforeseen demand, and the growth in the pet population doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Pet owners might have to go the extra mile to put food in the bowls of their beloved fur babies, which could require cooking the food at home with human-grade ingredients.

Cause: Increased demand for pickle jars
Effect: Retail pickle shortage

It’s not the pickles that are low in supply, it’s the jars themselves. It is said that the glass jar shortage is due to cut recycling programs that have been implemented to reduce costs as well as an increased demand, which is something we’ve seen lately due to more people storing and pickling their food at home. 

Pickle Jars ©Alliance Images / Shutterstock.com

An increased amount of pickled food being made at home has saved many from visiting the grocery store and has also prevented food waste. Though the increased demand in pickle jars did ultimately result in the delay of the launch of a new Burger King sandwich debut. 

Cause: Panic buying
Effect: No toilet paper in the supermarkets 

Everyone remembers the early days of March 2020 when we first went into lockdown and had no idea what was going to happen. Panic buying ensued and for some reason, everyone went straight for the toilet paper. Pictures of empty shelves were posted on social media worldwide and images of shopping carts filled to the brim with toilet paper were posted too. 

Toilet Paper ©Lazy_Bear / Shutterstock.com

There were many other things that sold out which made more sense, for instance, pasta and dry goods. But it was the toilet paper that was the subject of memes and Walmart wars over who got to the last bag of toilet rolls first. 

Cause: Texas storm
Effect: Rise in price or removal from menus

Texas and neighboring states are some of the largest suppliers of chicken to the US. With the unprecedented cold during the winter of 2021-2022, which saw a major winter and ice storm ultimately affecting most of North America and Canada, the chicken-producing states were struggling to keep up. 

Chicken Wings ©pilipphoto / Shutterstock.com

The storm didn’t affect people’s need for comfort food and the demand for chicken wings was as high as ever. We’ve seen a rise in prices in some restaurants while others have had to temporarily remove the item from their menus. Hopefully Wingstop will still have us covered! 

Cause: More outdoor gatherings and barbecues due to indoor restrictions
Effect: Shortage of bacon (oh no!)

Who would have thought that restrictions on indoor gatherings would result in a bacon shortage? The reason is simply more demand than supply due to many more outdoor gatherings than ever before. 

Bacon ©New Africa / Shutterstock.com

People are meeting for barbecues and grilling meat like bacon and hot dogs and the food and agriculture industry is struggling to keep up with the demand. Unfortunately for the meat lovers, according to the experts, this might continue throughout the summer. 

Cause: Fewer suppliers and change in consumer behavior
Effect: PC shortages and countless others

If you’re saving up for a new piece of technology, there is a chance you might have to wait longer than anticipated. Manufacturers around the globe are struggling to source supplies of semiconductors. This is resulting in major delays in the production and delivery of tech goods and this could cause a price increase in the near future.

Computer Chips ©Maha Heang 245789 / Shutterstock.com

The cause of these delays is the global economic recession and the massive changes in consumer behavior. The auto industry has been hit the worst as people are simply buying fewer vehicles. While some tech companies have done better than usual as demands for certain types of technology have increased in the last year and a half. 

Cause: Fire at chlorine manufacturer BioLab
Effect: Price of chlorine doubled this past year

Often it’s the things we least expect, or appreciate, which seem to disappear. In this case, it’s a shortage of chlorine which might be the thing standing between us and a glorious blue pool this summer. 

Chlorine ©Davizro Photography / Shutterstock.com

The reason for the shortage is damage to a chemical plant in Louisiana caused by Hurricane Laura back in August 2020. The fire has resulted in extremely low supplies and a hike in price. Currently, on Amazon the price of chlorine is approximately double its normal going rate. 

Cause: International conflict
Effect: Lack of qualified drivers to deliver fuel 

While pipeline hacks caused acute shortages in the summer of 2021, bigger geopolitical factors are at play with the current shortages and soaring prices. To further complicate things, there is a shortage of truck drivers, which means fuel deliveries are delayed.

Gasoline ©Nakun / Shutterstock.com

The lack of qualified drivers available has resulted in unexpected fuel shortages in gas stations across the country. If you are looking for a job, and comfortable driving long hours, we now know that this is an industry that needs new employees! 

Cause: Lack of suppliers
Effect: Long waiting lists 

One would think there is no better place to isolate yourself with your bubble than on a boat out at sea on a bright summer’s day. Unfortunately, if that was part of your plan for summer 2022, you might have some unexpected delays.

Boats ©IZZ HAZEL / Shutterstock.com

Due to a lack of key supplies which is caused by a break in the supply chain, boat sellers are simply not able to keep up with the surging demands. Currently, there are longer than usual waiting lists as wannabe sailors are stuck at shore. 

Cause: Reluctance to donate
Effect: Hospital shortages

While it’s hard to think of blood as an object or a product, it is most certainly something that is always needed, and sadly it has been in very low supply during the pandemic. People are reluctant to venture out except for essential trips, and especially into medical establishments.

Blood Donation ©Elnur / Shutterstock.com

Health organizations have assured us that it is safe to donate blood and it is needed now, more than ever. We can help someone in need with blood, plasma, or platelets, which can go very far in potentially saving a life. 

Cause: Very high demand and a surge in cases worldwide
Effect: Devastating effects 

This is something we never thought we would be concerned about, and most certainly an absolute necessity. The surge in cases in countries such as India has seen the terrible consequences of such a shortage. 

Oxygen ©New Africa / Shutterstock.com

According to the World Health Organization, oxygen for one year costs around $1.6 billion. Today that has risen to $6.5 billion and urgent efforts to raise the capital to distribute said oxygen have not managed to succeed as of yet.