By WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS | AP Business Writer
NEW YORK — The scarcity of Huy Fong Foods’ Sriracha, the beloved red hot sauce packaged in green-capped bottles, is not a new issue. The company has been experiencing a shortage of chile pepper supply for several years now, leading frustrated fans to face empty store shelves and higher prices from third-party resellers on sites like Amazon, eBay, and Walmart.
Previously priced at under $5 or $10 per bottle, Huy Fong Sriracha is now selling at exorbitant prices in some listings. On eBay, for example, a single 17-ounce bottle is being sold for anywhere from $20 to $150. This stark contrast in prices from other hot sauce brands indicates that Huy Fong is facing unique supply troubles.
Huy Fong has acknowledged the ongoing shortage and cited a scarcity of raw materials as the main cause. Last year, the company even temporarily suspended sales of Sriracha and other popular products due to the lack of supply.
While climate change and extreme drought in Mexico and the U.S. Southwest have been affecting the chile pepper supply, it is not the sole reason behind the shortage. Experts suggest that Huy Fong may not have enough suppliers and needs to establish relationships with new growers.
Despite the shortage, other hot sauces, including Sriracha-style products, remain readily available at reasonable prices. Different pepper variants and sourcing from less affected farms could be the reasons behind their continued supply.
The impact of climate change on agriculture extends beyond chile peppers, with experts predicting potential shortages in various other crops due to failed crops and decreased production.
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