Supply chain interrupted: Here’s Everything you Can’t Get Now - Scott Storkamp

Talking Trends
3 min readDec 16, 2021

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Image from Unsplash by
Mika Baumeister

“Chicken, lumber, microchips, gas, steel, metals, chlorine and ketchup packets: What do they all have in common? They’re all (nearly) impossible to find.”

Sounds almost impossible, doesn't it?

Shortages around the world have become a pandemic in itself. Shipping, demand, supply, and all other levers of the global economy have been heavily affected by COVID-19, and continue to be affected going into 2022.

I recently read an article published by CNN Business, titled Supply chain interrupted: Here’s everything you can’t get now by Jordan Valinsky. The article zooms into a number of commodities, that have been gravely affected by the supply chain crisis.

  1. Chicken

“The fried chicken wars are putting a strain on the poultry population. Major chains, including KFC, Buffalo Wild Wings and Wingstop (WING), are “paying steep prices” for chicken and suppliers are having trouble keeping up demand because of difficulties attracting workers, the Wall Street Journal reported this week.”

2. Chlorine

“Anyone looking forward to a refreshing dip in the pool to cool off may be in for a big “shock.” A chlorine shortage may make it more difficult for pool owners to buy the sanitizing tabs.

Chlorine supplies are running low due to a fire at a chemical plant in Louisiana last August that was damaged by Hurricane Laura. As a result, prices for tabs have skyrocketed.”

3. Computer Chips

“In the market for a new car, smartphone or washing machine this year? A global shortage of computer chips could mean you have to wait a while — and pay more.

4. Gas

“Millions of people stuck at home for more than a year are expected to hit the road for much-needed post-pandemic vacations. But good luck finding gas.

It’s not that there’s a looming shortage of crude oil or gasoline. Rather, it’s the tanker truck drivers needed to deliver the gas to stations who are in short supply, and that could lead to challenges at the pump.”

5. Ketchup

“Shortages of ketchup — specifically in packets that often come with your to-go order — started popping up around the country when COVID begun, and the plot has thickened.

How did this happen? It started with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discouraging traditional, dine-in service at restaurants and suggesting more pandemic-friendly options like delivery and takeout instead.”

As the new Omicron variant continues to keep us on our toes andpractice safe social distancing, it is hard to say when and how the supply chain issue will resolve. In the meantime, educating ourselves on the supply chain and being mindful is curcial.

You can read the original article here.

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