Food Shortage List for 2022: What's out of stock, what to do

Our food shortage list will help you stock up and prepare some of the following goods and products while they are on the shelves. Save yourself the stress and difficulty of trying to get them when they are in short supply. 

From the Ukraine-Russia war to Chinese COVID-19 lockdowns to food shortages worldwide, 2022 has been a challenging year for many people. Economists and experts believe that the latter half of 2022 will see increased supply chain disruptions and shortages and a global food crisis. 

Most experts agree that the United States will not be hit as badly as other parts of the world, but there will be shortages of goods, and stocking up now can save you from the worst of it. 

Baby Formula 

The first half of 2022 has already seen a baby formula shortage that is not expected to resolve as the year progresses. In some states, like Delaware, Kansas, and Tennessee, supplies dwindled to 10% of normal inventory in May. This crisis is due to the global supply chain dysfunction caused by the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Quarantine forced port shutdowns around the world, specifically in China. This caused considerable delays in global supply chains and raw materials and finished products to be left in transit for months. This bottleneck was compounded by an outbreak of Cronobacter sakazakii at one of the largest formula factories, causing recalls and production shutdowns. This crisis will continue in the coming months until supply chains are re-established, and production can return to nominal levels. 

Pet Food

The beginning of 2022 also saw acute cat food shortages and dog food shortages. This was caused by increased demand due to a large spike in pet adoption during the lockdowns and supply chain disruptions caused by COVID-19. 

This required pet owners to abandon preferred brands and purchase whatever food was available or feed their pets human food until they could get pet food. Pet food often has a long shelf life, and buying in bulk can save money and help prepare for a pet food shortage. 

Meat, Dairy, and Eggs

Meat, dairy, and eggs are time-sensitive foodstuffs that require specific handling and transportation to ensure they arrive to the consumer safe to consume. Transportation disruptions caused by shipping and trucking bottlenecks as well as a national shortage of truck drivers, have forced farmers to dump excess products and reduce production because they can’t find drivers to pick up their products. 

If you have sufficient freezer space, it is a good idea to stock up on these foods to have supplies during shortages and save money by buying when prices are down. Also, consider freeze-dried meats and powdered milk and eggs for long-term storage. 

Restaurants: Fast Food, Starbucks, & Taco Bell Food Shortages

Fast food giants like Starbucks and Taco Bell have not been immune from shortages. Their food and drinks are prepared to exact specifications with a precise list of ingredients. When supply chain disruptions interrupt the flow of even one ingredient, the whole dish or menu is affected. 

While you can’t stock up on Taco Bell, if you generally prefer to eat fast food, it is essential you prepare meals to replace what you would typically eat. 

Pork

Pork supplies have become scarce due to a swine flu outbreak in China, the world’s largest pork consumer. The outbreak caused China to order the culling of up to ⅔ of their swine stock. To offset this loss, they purchased pork from other nations, particularly Brazilian stocks that usually go to North America, causing a rise in pork costs worldwide. 

Regional: Texas, Colorado, & Florida Food Shortages

Over the coming months, there may be more localized food shortages. Texas, for example, may see shortages due to issues at the U.S.-Mexico border, Colorado has been affected by mudslides damaging critical road infrastructure, and Florida has experienced shortages due to rising fuel costs. These events are often unpredictable, and it is important to be prepared, particularly if you live in an area prone to drought, flooding, or other natural disasters. 

How to Prepare for a Food Shortage in 2022

You can ride out price spikes and food shortages if you have a food shortage preparation list and a plan. Stocking up on meals can get you through periods of demand spikes, price spikes, and shortages. 

Prepare a food supply to supplement your diet and even feed your family if there is a disaster. Keep at least 3 days worth of food ready, and consider stocking up on a few months’ supply to be extra secure. For more tips on preparing for a food shortage, check out our article here. And see this article for a deep dive on food storage methods.

As you're preparing, remember: tough times don’t last, but tough, prepared people do.