Huy Fong feels the heat as pepper dearth leads to Sriracha sauce shortage

10 Jun 2022 --- California-based Huy Fong Inc has halted production of its Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce, Chili Garlic and Sambal Oelek condiments due to severe weather conditions affecting the quality of chili peppers. 

In an email to customers, the company revealed the pepper shortage is related to climate shocks and would impact the company’s production over the summer months. 

According to the company, the chili pepper shortage has affected its sales and supply since 2020. However, the latest weather conditions have impacted production for the company until at least September this year.

“Out of our control”
Huy Fong Inc sources its peppers from various farms in California, New Mexico and Mexico.

“Unfortunately, this is out of our control, and without this essential ingredient, we are unable to produce any of our products,” the company revealed.

Huy Fong Inc sources its peppers from various farms in California, New Mexico and Mexico.“We understand this may cause issues. However, during this time, we will not accept any new orders to be placed before September as we will not have enough inventory to fulfill your order,” the company adds.

Suppliers could now be concerned that it would lead to battles in the condiment aisles.

Global food production spotlighted
Hot temperatures and a historic drought across the US have been taking a heavy toll on California’s agriculture. The US Drought Monitor reported that the whole state was in “severe drought” as of last week, with the Central Valley facing “extreme drought” conditions.

Meanwhile, extreme weather, pandemic supply-chain snarls and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are battering food production this year. 

Drought, short rainfall and high heat have blighted crop production in India and France – both nations tipped to supplement the falling flow of wheat from the Black Sea conflict region. 

Sriracha is the latest item on a growing list of foods in short supply worldwide, including sunflower oil, wheat, mustard and cereal. 

Earlier this week, FoodIngredientsFirst reported that the food crisis is deepening as a “perfect storm” of price surges, climate shocks, war, COVID-19 fallout and fragile agri-food systems continue to push certain countries to their limits. 

And, greenhouse cucumbers are a “rare sight” due to high energy costs.

Edited by Elizabeth Green