Huy Fong Inc, one of the world’s largest producers of Asian hot sauce, says it is anticipating a major shortage of the beloved Sriracha.
“Unfortunately, we can confirm that there are unprecedented shortages of our products,” the company said in a statement. “We are still seeking to resolve this issue that must have been caused by several escalating events, including unexpected crop failures from the spring chili pepper harvest.”
Despite the constant shortage of hot peppers since the early days of the Covid epidemic, Huy Fong warned in April of a severe shortage of hot peppers due to severe weather conditions affecting the quality of peppers. The company said in a letter dated April 19 to distributors that the situation was “beyond our control” and would adversely affect the manufacture and sale of Sriracha.
The company said it will not accept any new orders placed before September, and that any orders placed before Labor Day will be fulfilled in the fall, as it lacks the stock to meet that demand. Huy Fong advised distributors not to “promise any products to customers unless you have the product in stock,”
“We hope for a fruitful autumn season and thank our customers for their patience and continued support during this difficult time,” Huy Fong said.
The discontinuation applies to Huy Fong’s signature Sriracha Chili Sauce as well as Chili Garlic and Sambal Oelek products.
So, what does this mean for Sriracha fans?
Customers do not take this news lightly. Some Sriracha aficionados have decided to stock up on their local grocery stores to prepare for their dreaded and “tasteless” future.
Because this is the age of the Internet, which sparked a backlash. Furious with these hot sauce hoarders, other fans are comparing them to those who hoarded toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and Clorox wipes during the pandemic’s early days, making the situation worse for others — and themselves.
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