ANOTHER SRIRACHA SHORTAGE IS COMING & YOU'LL HAVE TO WAIT A LONG TIME TO BUY MORE

Stock up on Sriracha while you still can. Huy Fong Foods is warning customers of a potential (read: probably inevitable) Sriracha sauce shortage. The company released a statement last week blaming red jalapeño chili peppers, which are the key ingredient in the condiment.

"After reevaluating our supply of chili, we have determined that it is too green to proceed with production as it is affecting the color of the product," Huy Fong Foods told wholesale buyers, according to USA Today.

"We regret to inform you that we have decided to halt production until after Labor Day, when our next chili season starts."

It's being reported that pepper shortages have affected Sriracha production in the past, as well as the brand's chili garlic sauce and sambal oelek, which could indicate a disruption for those sauces too.

While customers have not had to worry about the shortage just yet, it's likely coming soon.

"Unfortunately, all orders that have been scheduled beginning on May 6, 2024, will be canceled and the status changed to pending," Huy Fong Foods said.

Similar condiments made with red jalapeños have not reported production issues, professor and extension vegetable specialist at New Mexico State University Stephanie Walker told USA Today. She has speculated that Huy Fong Foods has been sourcing its peppers from unreliable growers in Mexico.

"I’ve been hearing third hand that they have tried to enlist new growers so they would have a reliable stream of jalapeños and it sounds like they haven't been entirely successful yet," Walker added.

If the Sriracha production delay does ultimately lead to a shortage, it will hardly be a first. The condiment company has faced a number of issues stocking shelves over recent years. In fact, just last year, Huy Fond Foods faced an "unprecedented" shortage that began in 2022 and continued well into 2023.

"Unfortunately, we are still experiencing a shortage of raw material," the company said in April 2023. "At this time, we have no estimations of when supply will increase. Because we do not sell directly to retail/market levels, we cannot determine when product will hit shelves again and/or who currently has product in stock."

Huy Fong Foods told Delish that they had "no comment" at this time.

Sriracha lovers, you might wanna head to the nearest grocery store ASAP.

2024-05-08T18:26:23Z dg43tfdfdgfd