Why Is It Suddenly So Hard To Find Your Favorite Potato Chips?
A quiet crisis in American agriculture is causing potato chip shortages and price hikes. Find out why farmers are abandoning potatoes and what it means for you.
By Foodie Pundit Newsroom - Published - Updated - Section: Desserts Snacks
Key points
- A combination of climate change, rising fertilizer and fuel costs, and unprofitable contracts are causing potato farmers to abandon the crop.
- Snack manufacturers are facing a raw material shortage, leading to production cuts, inconsistent supply, and increased transportation costs.
- Consumers are facing higher prices (18-25% increases) and more frequent out-of-stocks for their favorite potato chip brands.
- The crisis is prompting a shift toward private-label brands and snacks made from alternative ingredients like lentils or chickpeas.
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Sources and methodology
Reported from the public datasets below.
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