Why Some Powders Are Suddenly Out of Stock

If you’ve been to the grocery store lately, you might have noticed that some of your favorite powders are suddenly out of stock. This isn’t just a coincidence; there are real reasons behind these shortages. Let’s take a look at two popular powders that are currently in short supply: cocoa powder and matcha.

Cocoa powder, a staple in many bakeries and kitchens, is facing a severe shortage. The main reason for this is the poor harvests in West Africa, where most of the world’s cocoa comes from. Countries like Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana have been hit by extreme weather conditions, including unseasonal rains and prolonged droughts, which have weakened cocoa trees and reduced yields. Additionally, plant diseases like the cocoa swollen shoot virus have further decreased production. This combination of weather and disease has led to a significant drop in cocoa bean production, making cocoa powder harder to find.

On the other side of the globe, matcha, a popular green tea powder from Japan, is also experiencing a shortage. The main culprit here is extreme weather in Japan’s matcha-producing regions, such as Uji and Nishio. These areas have seen reduced crop yields due to harsh conditions. At the same time, global demand for matcha has skyrocketed, especially in places like the UK and the US. Since matcha production is labor-intensive and involves specific techniques like shading and hand-harvesting, it’s difficult to quickly increase production to meet this rising demand.

These shortages aren’t isolated incidents; they reflect broader issues affecting food production and supply chains. Climate change, disease, and increased demand are all contributing factors that can lead to shortages of various products. As consumers, it’s important to be aware of these challenges and perhaps explore alternative products or support sustainable farming practices to help mitigate these issues in the future.