Huy Fong Foods, the major domestic producer of Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce has experienced production issues for the second consecutive year, allowing other hot sauce makers to step in, reports The New York Times.
Huy Fong shared in a statement this month that the production issues are caused by “a shortage of raw material” and there are “no estimations of when supply will increase.” Many, including restaurants that rely on the product, have turned to resale websites like eBay to get their product. Jimmy Ly, owner of Madame Vo and Monsieur Vo in New York City, told said that he bought two large bottles on eBay for $35 each, five times the retail price. Walmart is also selling a two-pack of 17-ounce bottles for $86.
Huy Fong has historically blamed climate change and a severe drought in Mexico last year which led to a decreased supply of the specific pepper used in its product; however, Stephanie Walker, a chile pepper researcher at Mexico State University, shared that the brand’s recent shortage could result from insufficient contracts with different farmers.
This shortage has not hit other hot sauce producers. Craig Underwood, owner of Underwood Ranches, a brand that makes its own sriracha, shared it has not experienced any issues getting its peppers from Mexico.
“We’ve had a huge demand for our product from Huy Fong’s former customers, as well as people out in the street who are looking for sriracha,” Underwood said. Full Story (Subscription Required)
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Image: Huy Fong Foods