Cult $5.90 product the latest to be hit by shortages
Get it while it’s hot, is the message to spice lovers around the world with news Sriracha sauce is in short supply.
An unexpected crop failure during the spring harvest is being blamed for a lack of Huy Fong’s infamous red chilis.
The Californian-based company has been forced to temporarily halt production of its beloved condiments, and issue a dire warning to foodies that’s left them seeing red.
“Currently due to weather conditions affecting the quality of chili peppers, we now face a more severe shortage of chili [than 2020],” it said in a letter to buyers.
“Unfortunately, this is out of our control and without this essential ingredient we are unable to produce any of our products.”
The company sources its chilli peppers from various farms in California, New Mexico and Mexico, where a historic drought is still ravaging the regions.
In Australia, a 482g bottle of the hot stuff is on sale at Woolworths and Coles for $5.90, but it’s not expected to last for long.
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Sauces now out of production include Huy Fong’s coveted Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce, as well as its Chili Garlic and Sambal Oelek condiments.
The business is urging other companies not to promise any of its products to customers unless they already have the product in stock.
While new orders won’t be accepted until September 6, any orders placed in the past two months will have to wait until then to be processed.
Until then the company has its fingers crossed for a bountiful future.
“We hope for a fruitful fall season and thank our customers for their patience and continued support during this difficult time,” Huy Fong said.
But news of the unprecedented shortage has been tough to swallow for many hot food aficionados.
“There is a Sriracha sauce shortage and they’ve suspended production,” one heartbroken man wrote on Twitter. "What’s the f*****g point in living anymore.”
“Is nothing sacred, climate change?” someone else questioned.
“Can’t believe there’s now a global sriracha sauce shortage, as if we haven’t all been through enough,” another user said.
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