If you order fries from a fast-food establishment during April, don’t be shocked if they tell you they’re out of ketchup.
Yes, as just the latest food commodity facing major disruption due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, America is currently facing a ketchup packet crisis.
As first reported by the Wall Street Journal, restaurants nationwide are scrambling to find supply of ketchup packets that have been depleted amid more Americans ordering takeout throughout the pandemic. Meanwhile, many establishments that have allowed indoor dining have switched from ketchup bottles to packets as a hygienic safety measure.
This in turn has caused a shortage of the packets felt by retailers both large and small, and forced ketchup manufacturers to raise their prices considerably. The Journal said cited data from restaurant-business platform Plate IQ showing that packet prices are up 13% since January of 2020, and their market share has soared compared to bottles of the same product.
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