Sriracha lovers, we've got some bad news.
An alleged shortage of chili peppers has led to a crisis at the grocery store leaving many consumers scrambling to get their hands on what has now become a coveted item—Sriracha sauce.
You heard that right.
According to Bloomberg, the maker of the spicy condiment—Huy Fong Foods Inc.—was forced to suspend production of their various spices such as Sriracha, Chili Garlic and Sambal Oelek due to weather conditions affecting the quality of chili peppers.
\u201c"Unprecedented" shortage of sriracha sauce may last for months after spring chili crop failure https://t.co/hEl0b14fM5\u201d— Bloomberg (@Bloomberg) 1654868404
The company addressed the situation in a statement in April, which read:
"Unfortunately, we can confirm that there is an unprecedented shortage of our products."
“We are still endeavoring to resolve this issue that has been caused by several spiraling events, including unexpected crop failure from the spring chili harvest."
They hoped for a "fruitful fall season" and thanked customers for their patience and support "during this difficult time."
Meanwhile, at grocery stores across the country, panicked customers are stocking up.
\u201c@ABC7 AH!! Gotta BUY SRIRACHA!!! \ud83d\ude31\ud83d\ude31\ud83d\ude31\u201d— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7 Eyewitness News) 1654807917
\u201cthis is what fear looks like in a sriracha shortage\u201d— q (@q) 1654740762
\u201cGot one whiff of a Sriracha shortage\u2026\u201d— Eli Karush (@Eli Karush) 1654808418
\u201cFirst it was the boba shortage. And now sriracha. You hot pot bitches better stock up!\u201d— boo (@boo) 1654728928
\u201cThe apocalypse is nigh. There's a Sriracha shortage. Getting on my bike and headed straight to H Mart!\u201d— Alan! (@Alan!) 1654791644
\u201c@ABC7 I definitely won\u2019t survive this one\u201d— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7 Eyewitness News) 1654807917
\u201cThis might be the worst food news all year https://t.co/abkQGggOFQ\u201d— tee (@tee) 1654707039
\u201c@ABC7 All the folks that "put Sriracha on their Sriracha" need to cut that out and leave some for the rest of us.\u201d— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7 Eyewitness News) 1654807917
And restaurateurs are revisiting their inventory.
\u201cOk so there is a sriracha hot sauce shortage. \n\nThose that run a restaurant or those that cant live without you need to stock up now. \n\n@Koreatown @AndyTheNguyen @HopHeadJim\u201d— Sushi Art by John Lee (TyphousDegree) (@Sushi Art by John Lee (TyphousDegree)) 1651728614
The ongoing pandemic interrupting the supply chain combined with the year's conflict in Ukraine has adversely taken a toll on general food production.
The dearth of Sriracha is just the latest example of food shortages that have included Saltine crackers, chicken, popcorn, and McDonald's milkshakes.
The Sriracha shortage is expected to last through the end of summer.
It looks like it's going to be a spiceless season. Is your pantry loaded with the hot stuff?
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