1. Baby Formula Shortages
Remember the baby formula crisis of 2022? It was so severe that the government had to airlift supplies from Europe. Things seemed to calm down, but sporadic shortages have crept back into stores in 2024 and 2025, especially for specialty formulas. Parents are once again finding themselves hunting down cans or turning to Facebook groups for help.
The root of the problem still stems from consolidation in the industry—just a few companies control most of the supply. Abbott’s Sturgis plant shutdown started it all, but the system never really diversified after. Transportation delays and labor shortages haven’t helped either. The FDA has pushed for reforms, but progress has been sluggish.
2. Prescription Drug Delays
For a while, it felt like backordered medications were a pandemic-era problem. But in late 2023 and well into 2025, pharmacies across the country started reporting delays for common drugs like Adderall, amoxicillin, and even cancer treatments. Patients are again being forced to call around town—or across state lines—to fill prescriptions. It’s frustrating and, in some cases, dangerous.
Many of these issues trace back to overseas manufacturing, particularly in India and China, where quality control issues and shutdowns have slowed exports. Add in increased demand and domestic bottlenecks, and the situation quickly snowballs. Even when production resumes, shipping delays can stretch out shortages for months. The FDA has acknowledged the issue but admits solutions are still in development.
3. Eggs and Poultry
Remember when egg prices hit nearly $10 a dozen? That was during the avian flu outbreak in 2022, and the market did eventually stabilize. But in 2024, new waves of bird flu led to millions more chickens being culled. Once again, shelves went bare and prices skyrocketed.
It’s not just about the chickens—it’s the whole interconnected web of hatcheries, feed suppliers, and distribution networks. Once a disease outbreak starts, it takes a long time to rebuild the supply chain. Farmers have to replace entire flocks, and that doesn’t happen overnight. Prices remain volatile, and shoppers are feeling the pinch again.
4. Car Parts and Repairs
Post-COVID, the wait time for a car repair was starting to feel normal again. But starting in 2023, auto repair shops started reporting months-long waits for essential parts—especially for foreign vehicles. Supply chains for semiconductors, wiring harnesses, and even basic components like brake pads hit snags again. Drivers are either stuck waiting or shelling out more for rushed jobs.
The return of demand after pandemic slowdowns overwhelmed fragile supplier networks. Global shipping hiccups and factory closures in Asia worsened the issue. Even U.S.-based automakers aren’t immune, thanks to their reliance on just-in-time inventory models. It’s become clear that one disruption in the chain has ripple effects for months.
5. Coffee Beans
For a while, it looked like coffee prices were settling down. But beginning in late 2023, consumers saw price hikes and limited selection return, especially with premium beans. Climate issues in Brazil and Colombia—two of the world’s biggest producers—have led to smaller harvests. That’s been a wake-up call for coffee drinkers who thought shortages were behind them.
Add in freight delays and rising fuel costs, and coffee’s path to your cup is anything but smooth. Some roasters have started blending lower-quality beans to stretch their supply. Specialty cafés are adjusting menus or raising prices to compensate. Your morning ritual just got a little more expensive—and a lot more complicated.
6. Aluminum Cans
During the pandemic, aluminum can shortages caused chaos in the beverage industry. By 2023, the problem seemed resolved. But ongoing demand for canned beverages and a lack of domestic aluminum production brought the issue back in 2024. Beer and soda producers are once again adjusting packaging or limiting product lines.
The U.S. still imports much of its aluminum, and geopolitical instability has disrupted those flows. Recycling rates have also dropped, tightening domestic supply. Some companies are returning to plastic or glass, but not without backlash. It’s another reminder of how supply chains don’t just fix themselves.
7. School Lunch Ingredients
After early pandemic shortages, school cafeterias finally got back on track—briefly. But by late 2024, districts across the country began reporting issues getting basics like chicken, bread, and even fruit. Some schools have had to reduce menus or rely more heavily on prepackaged meals. For many students, this is their main meal of the day.
The USDA has cited supplier inconsistencies and transport challenges as major contributors. Many vendors simply don’t prioritize school contracts because they’re less profitable. Smaller or rural districts are hit hardest, as they often lack multiple sourcing options. Nutrition directors are once again scrambling to feed kids consistently.
8. HVAC Equipment
Thought your broken AC would be a quick fix? Not so fast. Starting in 2023 and stretching into 2025, HVAC companies have struggled to get key parts like compressors, copper tubing, and control boards. This has led to long wait times and steep repair bills during peak heating and cooling seasons.
Much of the equipment is sourced from overseas, and freight backlogs haven’t eased as much as expected. Demand for new units also surged post-pandemic as people upgraded home systems. Even installers are reporting labor shortages, compounding delays. So if your system breaks down, you might be sweating it out longer than you’d like.
9. Office Paper
Who would’ve thought printer paper would become scarce…again? After stabilizing in 2022, a surprising resurgence in shortages hit offices and schools in 2024. Mills in North America have reduced paper production in favor of packaging materials, which are more profitable. Add in trucking delays, and reams of paper are harder to come by.
Prices have spiked, and many institutions are rationing supplies or cutting back on print use. The shift to remote work created a dip in demand, which caused some mills to close permanently. Now that paper demand is rebounding, supply can’t keep up. It’s an ironic twist in the so-called “paperless” age.
10. Pet Food
Pet owners breathed a sigh of relief when shelves restocked in 2022. But in 2024, shortages returned for certain wet foods and prescription diets. Ingredient sourcing issues—especially with meat and grains—have snarled production. Import delays from Thailand, where many brands source products, have added to the trouble.
Veterinarians are reporting more pet owners struggling to maintain dietary regimens. Brands are issuing apologies and promising fixes, but the pipeline remains bumpy. Domestic manufacturers haven’t been able to pivot fast enough. For pet parents, it’s déjà vu all over again.
11. Cement and Concrete
It’s not just a construction industry problem—this hits homeowners, too. Cement shortages that eased in 2023 came roaring back in 2025 as infrastructure projects ramped up. New federal funding created a boom in demand, but supply chains haven’t expanded to match. Builders are postponing projects or paying premiums for materials.
Cement production is highly localized, and long-distance shipping is expensive. Labor shortages at plants and trucking bottlenecks have slowed things even more. Some contractors are turning to alternative materials, but they’re not always viable. If you’re planning a patio or driveway, expect delays—or a bigger bill.
12. Cooking Oil
Remember when cooking oil became gold during the early COVID days? It looked like that was over, but shortages popped back up in 2024, particularly for sunflower and canola oil. The war in Ukraine—one of the top exporters of sunflower oil—continues to disrupt global supply. Bad weather in Canada and the U.S. hasn’t helped canola yields either.
Restaurants and home cooks are once again rationing or switching to alternatives. Prices have remained volatile, especially in bulk quantities. Food banks and institutions are among the hardest hit. It’s a reminder that global agriculture affects our kitchen shelves in real time.
13. Freight Rail Delays
For a few glorious months, freight rail issues were off the radar. But starting in 2024, a new wave of labor disputes, infrastructure failures, and congestion brought the pain back. Farmers, manufacturers, and retailers have all reported delays getting goods across the country. It’s hitting the Midwest and West Coast especially hard.
Rail plays a huge role in moving bulk goods like grain, lumber, and chemicals. Any slowdown ripples through multiple industries. With a limited number of operators and outdated equipment, there’s little slack in the system. If one train gets delayed, so does everything else behind it.
This post 13 Supply Chain Issues Everyone Thought Were Over—Until They Weren’t was first published on American Charm.
