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Although buying and carving pumpkins are a beloved Halloween tradition, supplies may not be so plentiful in some areas of the United States this year.
Pumpkin crops have taken a hit in areas across this nation, which has led to less selection — and higher price tags.
“Overall, it’s not good,” said Lyra Marble, owner of Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch in California, according to ABC stationWKRN.
She noted thatdrought conditionstook a big hit on what is normally a “very predictable” crop yield.
“This year is the hardest I’ve seen for Californian grown pumpkins,” Marble added.
Due to the lack of home-grown supply, this year Marble has had to source pumpkins from Oregon, which will necessarily increase their price for consumers.
Another California pumpkin farm owner toldABC affiliate KGOthat many local farmers “didn’t plant because of water” scarcity.
“We usually plant 10 acres. This year, we only did half of that,” remarked Danny Lopes, an owner of Farmer John’s Pumpkin Farm.
In addition to the West Coast, shortages have been reported in a number of states, includingNorth CarolinaandKansas.
Shoppers looking for particular kinds of pumpkin should also be prepared to shell out.
Other factors that have had an impact include a lack of labor as well asCOVID-related shipping delays,according toGood Morning America.
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“When you’re ready for Thanksgiving and you’re looking for that canned pumpkin, or if you’re trying to buy it right now, you might not find the canned pumpkin on the shelves,” Raghela Scavuzzo, executive director of the Illinois Specialty Growers Association, toldNBC affiliate KSDK.
However, the shortage doesn’t mean most people won’t be able to purchase pumpkins this year. While one pumpkin buyer toldGMAthe shortage just meant they wouldn’t have surplus supplies this year, it’s business as usual for some areas.
“It looks like we’ll get through this year unscathed on the pumpkins,” Jimmy McCully ofAmazin' Acres of Funfarm in Tennessee toldWKRN.
source: people.com
