Introduction
The grocery store is a place we all rely on for our daily needs. But in 2021, we’ve seen some of the worst grocery shortages in recent memory. From meat shortages to flour and eggs, it’s been a challenge to find the items we need. In this article, we’ll take a look at the 15 worst grocery shortages of 2021 so far, and what you can do to make sure you’re getting the food you need. We’ll also provide some tips on how to make the most of what’s available and how to find alternatives when your favorite items are out of stock.
15 Worst Grocery Shortages of 2021 — Eat This Not That
2020 was a year of unprecedented grocery shortages, and 2021 is proving to be no different. From meat to dairy to produce, grocery stores across the country are struggling to keep up with the demand for certain items. Here are the 15 worst grocery shortages of 2021 so far.
1. Meat
Meat shortages have been a major issue in 2021, with beef, pork, and poultry all in short supply. This is due to a combination of factors, including the closure of meat processing plants due to the pandemic, as well as the increased demand for meat as people are cooking more at home.
2. Dairy
Dairy products have also been in short supply in 2021, with milk, cheese, and yogurt all in short supply. This is due to the closure of dairy processing plants, as well as the increased demand for dairy products as people are cooking more at home.
3. Produce
Produce shortages have been a major issue in 2021, with fruits and vegetables in short supply. This is due to the closure of produce processing plants, as well as the increased demand for produce as people are cooking more at home.
4. Eggs
Eggs have been in short supply in 2021, with both shell eggs and liquid eggs in short supply. This is due to the closure of egg processing plants, as well as the increased demand for eggs as people are cooking more at home.
5. Bread
Bread shortages have been a major issue in 2021, with both white and whole wheat bread in short supply. This is due to the closure of bread processing plants, as well as the increased demand for bread as people are cooking more at home.
6. Rice
Rice shortages have been a major issue in 2021, with both white and brown rice in short supply. This is due to the closure of rice processing plants, as well as the increased demand for rice as people are cooking more at home.
7. Pasta
Pasta shortages have been a major issue in 2021, with both white and whole wheat pasta in short supply. This is due to the closure of pasta processing plants, as well as the increased demand for pasta as people are cooking more at home.
8. Canned Goods
Canned goods shortages have been a major issue in 2021, with both canned vegetables and canned fruits in short supply. This is due to the closure of canned goods processing plants, as well as the increased demand for canned goods as people are cooking more at home.
9. Frozen Foods
Frozen food shortages have been a major issue in 2021, with both frozen vegetables and frozen fruits in short supply. This is due to the closure of frozen food processing plants, as well as the increased demand for frozen foods as people are cooking more at home.
10. Baking Supplies
Baking supplies shortages have been a major issue in 2021, with both flour and sugar in short supply. This is due to the closure of baking supply processing plants, as well as the increased demand for baking supplies as people are cooking more at home.
11. Snack Foods
Snack food shortages have been a major issue in 2021, with both chips and crackers in short supply. This is due to the closure of snack food processing plants, as well as the increased demand for snack foods as people are cooking more at home.
12. Condiments
Condiment shortages have been a major issue in 2021, with both ketchup and mustard in short supply. This is due to the closure of condiment processing plants, as well as the increased demand for condiments as people are cooking more at home.
13. Beverages
Beverage shortages have been a major issue in 2021, with both soda and juice in short supply. This is due to the closure of beverage processing plants, as well as the increased demand for beverages as people are cooking more at home.
14. Cleaning Supplies
Cleaning supply shortages have been a major issue in 2021, with both bleach and disinfectant in short supply. This is due to the closure of cleaning supply processing plants, as well as the increased demand for cleaning supplies as people are cleaning more at home.
15. Toilet Paper
Toilet paper shortages have been a major issue in 2021, with both regular and premium toilet paper in short supply. This is due to the closure of toilet paper processing plants, as well as the increased demand for toilet paper as people are stocking up on essentials.
The lead paragraph in a United States Department of Agriculture report titled “Access to Food” that was released in the mid-autumn of 2021 read in part: “There are currently no nationwide shortages of food, although in some cases the inventory of certain foods at your grocery store might be temporarily low before stores can restock.” Technically, the report is saying, Americans never experienced a true food shortage in 2021; there was always enough food to go around. But just because there may not have been technical food shortages, tell anyone who confronted bare grocery store shelf—aisle after aisle, visit after visit—that there were no grocery shortages in 2021 and you’re bound to get an earful.
The problem affected retailers of all sizes all across the country, from national stores to regional chains to one-off markets, getting so bad that in late November that executives from Kroger, Walmart, Food Lion, and other major players in food sales met with President Biden and other administration officials to address food supply chain and shortage issues. The President had previously pledged to address issues like backups at seaports, while CEOs of multiple major food retailers had pledged to aggressively work toward restocking store shelves.
We can only hope that the efforts of the White House, corporate leaders, supply chain logistics managers, and of course food producers will minimize grocery shortages in the future because looking back at the worst food shortages of 2021 brings back some very unpleasant memories. (Plus, if you’re a Costco shopper, don’t miss The Worst Costco Shortages of 2021.)
From restaurant chain Buffalo Wild Wings almost running out of chicken wings (rather essential for its business model) to poultry prices on grocery store shelves surging, the great chicken shortage of 2021 was one of the earlier food shortage issues of the year. By late winter, restaurants and retailers alike were starting to feel the squeeze as chicken supplies ran thin. The shortage was caused by everything from an uptick in fast food sales to a new breed of rooster megaproducer Tyson was trying out.
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Nothing good happens when friends fight. In this case, the fight was between customs officials from the United States and Canada, and the dispute at the border led to a disruption in the supply of Alaska pollock, a fish used in fish sticks, not to mention many sandwiches sold by fast-food chains, according to USA Today. At one point, more than 25 million pounds of fish were held in cold storage in Canada pending a resolution.
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Many flavors of this globally beloved Vermont-based ice cream went out of production temporarily during 2021. The cause? The same issue that plagued businesses of all types and sizes all across the nation: labor shortages. According to USA Today, the company pivoted to production of its most popular flavors, curtailing output of many options.
RELATED: We Tasted 10 Vanilla Ice Creams & This Is the Best One!
For a while in the fall of 2021, pet food was in precious short supply in America, especially canned cat food, according to Market Realist. For many felines, this was no major issue, as their owners could simply switch to dried food temporarily. But many animals with strictly prescribed diets were a matter of genuine concern as global supply chain issues led to acute shortages of many pet food products.
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In the spring of 2021, many restaurants around America began reporting a shortage of a highly specific item: ketchup packets. And specifically packets of Heinz Tomato Ketchup. As takeout and delivery food sales continued to surge in 2021, these previously ubiquitous single-serving condiment delivery vehicles became increasingly scarce, so much so that some major restaurant chains even turned to other suppliers.
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A few short years ago many people had never even heard of oat milk; by this year it had grown so popular that an oat milk shortage was major news. According to Bloomberg, the 2021 oat milk shortage was caused by a steady increase in demand—especially at places like Starbucks—and a poor oats harvest.
RELATED: The Best & Worst Oat Milks in 2021—Ranked!
The coffee shortage is already here, that’s the bad news. The worse news is that, according to Bloomberg, it may last for years. Droughts in major coffee-producing countries, chiefly Brazil, have led to record low production, with said nation even switching much of its production to robusta coffee beans, a heartier-growing but less popular, more bitter varietal. But what can be done with arabica coffee bean production at a 12-plus year low?
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That’s right, that snack time or lunch staple kids have counted on (or tolerated, rather, while parents have counted on them) for a generation were in short supply in 2021. According to My Stateline, the Lunchable shortage was caused by an all-time high surge in demand. Simply put, people (AKA parents in this case) bought them out: supply could not match demand.
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Arguably akin to an adult take on the Lunchable, the classic Marie Callender Pot Pie was harder to find this year, via USA Today. The shortage was partially due to an uptick in customer demand, as more people started hiding out at home again with the Delta Variant spread, but was also caused by a disruption in the production and supply of materials used to package the pies.
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Things got a bit less sweet in the fall of 2021 as, among other products, Rice Krispy Treats became scarce on many grocery store shelves. According to Best Life, in October, Kellogg sent an email to multiple grocery chain executives stating in part that production of the iconic treats “will remain below service expectations” throughout the year. The shortage was exacerbated by a worker strike at Kellogg.
It was all about the supply chain woes when it came to the spice shortage of 2021, and little surprise there, given how many kitchen spices we usually take for granted come from overseas. According to CNBC, the McCormick brand, in particular, had issues as inventory was slow to arrive and demand grew with more and more people cooking at home.
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While Oreos never disappeared from store shelves in 2021, they were available in smaller quantities, and in the future, consumers can expect pricing to be higher, according to NPR. The cause? Again it’s the global supply chain backup and the rising cost of basic commodities.
RELATED: The Best & Worst Oreos in 2021—Ranked!
It was an American-style shortage to be sure, but earlier this year Costco customers across much of the found themselves limited to buying just five cases of bottled water due to shortages of the product. Granted, that’s still 1,920 ounces of water assuming standard 16-ounce bottles and 24-bottle cases.
On top of all the supply chain issues impacting delivery of finished goods, so too were there many raw materials shortages in 2021, and one such material in shorter supply than usual was aluminum, according to Today. Thus there has been a constriction in the availability of canned soups as well as many other canned foods.
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Little surprise that the first year of the pandemic saw a steep spike in sales of hard liquor, and that rise in sales then has led to a shortage of booze now, according to Taste of Home. The primary reason is that most liquor production simply can’t be rushed; in fact, it can take years to replenish a diminished stockpile.
Need a substitute? Here are the best and worst options for your favorite foods:
The Best & Worst Bread in America in 2021—Ranked!
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The Best & Worst Sodas in America—Ranked!