13 Popular Foods Quietly Vanishing from Store Shelves
The foods we know and love have always been comforting in our routines, recipes, and celebrations. However, these staples are becoming increasingly difficult to find. Environmental pressures, climate change, and supply chain disruptions are making a noticeable impact on grocery store inventories.
A staggering report from the United Nations in 2021 highlighted that nearly 40% of global agricultural production is at risk from climate-related stressors, ranging from drought and soil degradation to pests and disease. Closer to home, American consumers are seeing the ripple effects of these challenges as items they once took for granted disappear from shelves. Read on to explore 13 popular food items quietly vanishing from stores—and the reasons behind their scarcity.
Canned Tuna
For decades, canned tuna has been a pantry essential for Americans, but demand is outpacing sustainable supply. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), overfishing is a significant issue affecting tuna populations globally. The awareness about ethical fishing is rising, forcing responsible companies to slow down production and constrain availability.
Two main factors are driving the scarcity: overfishing and rising ocean temperatures, which are disrupting fish migration patterns. Environmental advocates suggest opting for sustainably sourced options certified by organizations like MSC (Marine Stewardship Council).
Beef Products
Changes in agricultural conditions are increasingly threatening the supply of beef products. The USDA reports that 2022 saw a 6% decrease in cattle inventory compared to previous years, largely due to extreme droughts in the Midwest and Southwest. Combine this with growing calls to reduce methane emissions from livestock, and beef production is under significant pressure.
Beef production faces several challenges, including drought, which reduces feed supplies and raises farmers’ operating costs. Plant-based meat alternatives are gaining ground as a more sustainable alternative to beef and could help alleviate pressure on cattle farming.
Maple Syrup
Maple syrup, celebrated for its rich flavor and natural origins, is facing an uncertain future. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, pure maple production in the U.S. dropped by 15%, mainly due to poor weather conditions in key producing states, particularly Vermont, which typically accounts for most of the national production. These conditions shorten the sap-harvesting season considerably.
Look for warmer winters, earlier springs, and increased variability in crop yields. Experts predict that maple syrup shortages will become more widespread without significant climate action in the coming years.
Orange Juice
According to the University of Florida, Florida’s orange industry has faced significant challenges, from severe hurricanes to citrus greening disease. Agriculture Dive reports that the state’s citrus industry is now bracing for one of its lowest production levels on record.
The key drivers of scarcity are hurricanes that destroy crops and the spread of citrus greening disease. Orange juice lovers are already paying more, with orange juice prices increasing over the past 12 months.
Packaged Salad Greens
The fresh, convenient option of packaged salads is seeing serious cuts due to rising production costs and frequent recalls linked to bacterial contamination. Growers in California, a major supplier, have also been hit hard by droughts.
The reduction in supplies is due to the high cost of packaging materials and water restrictions in growing regions. Buying loose greens and washing them yourself at home is one conducive measure to reducing waste and minimizing the environmental impact.
Specialty Cheese
Artisan and specialty cheeses are facing their challenges. Due to heat stress, dairy farmers point to an increase in animal feed costs in 2022, coupled with smaller herds in the United States and Europe. This has impacted the production of signature cheeses, including gouda and brie.
Rising feed and production costs, along with global herd reductions, are to blame. Supporting local cheesemakers can help sustain this disappearing delicacy.
Fresh Berries in Winter
Fresh berries are becoming harder to find during winter due to climate change and ongoing supply chain disruptions. The combination of extreme weather events and logistical challenges has significantly impacted berry production and distribution.
This means consumers may see fewer fresh berries on shelves during winter, and higher prices and limited availability may become the new norm.
Canned Soups
Supply issues for canned soups have come from aluminum shortages and rising steel packaging costs. The problem was only exacerbated by the pandemic-driven increase in demand for shelf-stable food. Producers are choosing to make more of their most popular products and less of those not getting as much attention.
This impacts shelves by limiting the availability of packaging materials and disrupting the supply chain. Look towards glass jar alternatives and brands offering BPA-free containers.
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter, a household favorite, hasn’t been immune to disruption. According to the USDA, total U.S. peanut production in 2022 was approximately 5.57 billion pounds, representing a 9% decrease from the previous year, primarily due to unpredictable rainfall patterns and pest infestations.
Several factors are limiting the availability of peanuts, including an increased threat of crop diseases and labor shortages in peanut-growing regions. Stocking up when supplies are high can prevent future shortages.
Coffee Beans
Your morning cup of coffee is also at risk. Research published in Nature highlights that 60% of wild coffee species are at risk of extinction, with Arabica beans being especially vulnerable to a combination of rising temperatures and fungal infections.
The problem is that coffee-growing regions have been deforested, and coffee is not well adapted to changing climates. To combat these various trends, brands like Rainforest Alliance and Fair Trade are actively working with coffee farmers as they roll out sustainable practices.
Potato Chips
Potato chips may be a guilty pleasure, but they are increasingly becoming a rarity in certain areas. The disruptions to potato crops, particularly in the Pacific Northwest, play a substantial role. According to the USDA, the average yield of potatoes in the United States was 438 hundredweight (cwt) per acre in 2022, representing a decrease from the previous year.
The key factors include reduced potato crop yields and increased fertilizer and irrigation costs. Farmers are working to develop heat-resistant potato varieties, but this could take years to scale up.
Chocolate
Chocolate lovers may want to stock up now. CABI Agriculture and Bioscience revealed that cocoa yields could plummet due to rising temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns in West Africa, which produces more than 60% of the world’s cocoa supply.
There are numerous reasons why the number of cocoa beans available is declining. Climate change puts most of the world’s cocoa-growing regions under more significant strain, making it harder to grow cocoa. Diseases like the “swollen shoot virus” also devastate cocoa plants, further reducing supply. For now, choosing Fairtrade-certified chocolate ensures your indulgence and helps farmers adapt to these challenges.
Avocados
Avocado fans may have noticed rising prices and less availability lately. Avocados require significant amounts of water, and an ongoing drought in California—the U.S.’s largest avocado producer—has cut production by nearly 15% over the last three years, according to the California Avocado Commission.
Avocados are becoming harder to find due to water scarcity in key growing regions and a rising demand that exceeds the available supply. Experts suggest sourcing avocados from smaller, local farms whenever possible to minimize their environmental footprint.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.