There will be a Sriracha shortage this summer

Hot sauce lovers may soon find themselves in hot water as a looming shortage of Sriracha may soon leave grocery store shelves barren of the popular condiment.

Huy Fong Inc., the Southern California-based manufacturer of Sriracha, confirmed that due to a global shortage of chili peppers, it will be suspending the sale of its iconic condiments, The Guardian reported.

In an email issued to loyal customers this past Spring, Huy Fong Inc. described the pepper shortage as “severe” and was related to climate change.

The company reportedly sources many of its peppers from various farms across California, New Mexico, and Mexico, and indicated that weather conditions affecting the poor quality of peppers being grown in these locations are deepening the shortage of chili peppers.

In the company’s email, it was indicated that all orders submitted after April 19 would be fulfilled after Labor Day.

“Unfortunately, this is out of our control, and without this essential ingredient we are unable to produce any of our products,” the company said.

The company added, “We understand this may cause issues. However, during this time we will not accept any new orders to be placed before September as we will not have enough inventory to fulfill your order.”

Hot temperatures and a historically merciless drought across the western regions of the U.S. have been taking a heavy toll on the farmlands where Huy Fong Inc.’s chili peppers are grown. The U.S. Drought Monitor reported that the whole state of California is in a “severe drought” with the state’s Central Valley facing “extreme drought” conditions.

The imminent inability to purchase Sriracha is just the latest shortage to impact American consumers.

In late May, a top U.S. general suggested that the grain shortages were going to get so much worse that the U.S. military might need to conduct manned missions to help Ukraine export grain that is currently unable to be exported due to Russian blockades along the Black Sea coast. It’s unclear, at this time, what such an approach would entail.

Also in late May, the out-of-stock rates for baby formula soared to 70%. Baby formula is not expected to be restocked until mid-July at the soonest. The Abbott Nutrition plant in Sturgis, Michigan was not able to restart production on baby formula until recently on June 4.

An Inspector General from the Department of Health and Human Services is expected to investigate the Biden administration’s response to the shortage of baby formula.