The 2021 predictions are out now on what food shortages to expect this year. None of these really affect my family, but they might yours so I wanted to share.
But this is not cause to go out and hoard again. The news is much better than last year. Less variety is going to be the main thing we’ll need to get used to this year.
The experts have predicted there will be shortages in five categories: your favorite cookie, soup and soda flavors; canned and frozen vegetables; cleaning supplies; food and drinks in aluminum cans; and some ready to eat foods.
Let’s talk a little about each one.
• Your favorite cookie, soup and sodas—Variety in this category has been dwindling since the pandemic began. Companies need to appeal to the broadest segment of shoppers and they are getting rid of some flavors in a faster way than they normally would so they can focus on consumer favorites.
For example you should be able to find Campbell’s Tomato soup and Chicken Noodle because they are best sellers and have a broad appeal, but some of the other flavors like Creamy Gouda Bisque with Chicken will be more difficult to find.
• Canned and frozen vegetables—The virus has forced people to do a lot more home cooking than they normally do. And the problem with vegetables is that there is a growing season and a production season. Once they run out of supply they can’t just make more.
Brand variety will be the savior here. You may not get the specific brand you are looking for but you’ll be able to get something.
• Cleaning supplies— When the virus started, the demand for Clorox cleaning products increased 500% overnight. They have increased production dramatically but they do not see the supply fully recovering to pre-virus levels until later this summer.
• Foods and beverages in aluminum cans—I didn’t know this but the pandemic caused major aluminum shortages. This shortage not only affected soda and beer companies, but other companies like Hormel who sell canned meat in aluminum. Also pet food companies.
Because of the aluminum shortage you can expect to find some of your favorites to dip in and out of availability this year. And you can also expect that they will turn to alternative packaging like glass or plastic.
Maybe now would be a good time for Alcoa to fire the plant back up. Can I get an amen, Rockdale?
• Some ready to eat foods—Eating at home more has caused a shortage of some ready to eat meals. Frozen pizza and macaroni and cheese should be easy to find this year. It will only be smaller manufacturer’s products you’ll sometimes have a difficult time finding.
All in all that doesn’t sound too bad. We are already used to cleaning supplies being in short supply. The rest of it sounds like you’ll still be able to find the foods you need, you may just have to choose a different brand than you would normally buy.
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