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Is There A Canned Pumpkin Shortage?

bdkz by bdkz

Or a huge pumpkin conspiracy theory?

Holy Cow! There is a rumor going around that there is a canned pumpkin shortage! Say it isn't so.

I first learned about the shortage in September when I tired to buy a few cans for my dog (apparently canned pumpkin is good for their digestion) and was told by our local grocery store that they had no canned pumpkin! What? Say that again! The grocery guy then explained that there was a nation wide shortage of canned pumpkin but it would be here by the Holidays. Well fine but I needed it NOW!

Fast forward to last week. I managed to snag a few cans of pumpkin at the grocery store then got worried. If there really was a canned pumpkin shortage I'd better stock up. So I bought a LOT of cans and have them stashed away. Good thing because I just saw on TV that there really might be a shortage.

I also bought a few real pumpkins just in case. That's me hoarding my pumpkin. Is there a show for people like me?

The proof is in the Pumpkin Pie

So do we believe the news?

Pass the Pie: Canned Pumpkin Shortage Is Over - ABC News
That means an end to the hoarding, rationing and even pumpkin profiteering that have been going on since heavy rain ruined last year's harvest and caused a shortfall.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins & The Great Pumpkin Shortage of 2011
About this time every year I hear whispers of a pumpkin shortage. And sure enough I go to the store and the shelves are empty.

Or is this a pumpkin conspiracy?

Buy canned Pumkin now or your Thanksgiving will be ruined!

Another Canned Pumpkin Shortage Looms! 5 Ways to Get Enough Gourd | The Stir
Unfortunately, there's risk of ANOTHER canned pumpkin shortage this year. At first blush, this may seem like it spells disaster for all of your holiday desserts.

Canned Pumpkin on Amazon

Buy it by the case while you can!

Libby's Solid Pumpkin 15 oz each /Case of 24 cans

Libby's Solid Pumpkin 15 oz each /Case of 24 cans

Amazon Price: (as of 06/01/2012)Buy Now

Uh...oh...
Currently unavailable.
We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock.

See I told you there was a canned pumpkin shortage!

Stock up and get the BIG cans...

while you still can.

Libbys Libbys 100% Pure Pumpkin, 29-Ounce Cans (Pack of 12)

Libbys Libbys 100% Pure Pumpkin, 29-Ounce Cans (Pack of 12)

Amazon Price: $49.60 (as of 06/01/2012)Buy Now

So what's the Canned Pumpkin deal?

Is there a canned pumpkin shortage or not?

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Yes, there is a shortage. I can't buy canned pumpkin!

piebaker says:

I saw something about China importing huge quantities of pumpkin, they do not have space to grow it, it helps their bad eyes.

MiddleSister says:

I'm running scared! I bought 3 cans at my local store on Thursday, and they were the last three on the shelf!

lisa says:

fareway stores say there was a shortage and thats why they bought canned
pumpkin from CHINA yep that is true.

aceofhearts says:

I have 3 cans stashed from last year. The large sized cans too!

Tasha says:

Can't find it here in Atlanta! :(

baker99 says:

I have been to 3 stores too! Daytona Beach, FL.

misti says:

i have beento 3 different stores ( including a super wal-mart ) and could not find a single can

Tanya says:

I have been to 4 different stores in the Tucson, AZ area and I can not find any canned pumpkin at all!! Only at the last store did they tell me of a shortage! I am now on a mission to find myself some canned pumpkin!!

Sue says:

My very large cat is on a prescription diet which includes 2 teaspoons of pureed pumpkin. None to be found in NH. Had to buy squash baby food. Will be stocking up once available after harvest this year.

David R. says:

We buy pumkin in very, very large lots each year. We don't make pumkin pie - instead we put a tablespoon in our dogs food each feeding. Pumkin is a high fibre food that is low in carbs and sugars - the fibre helps them to express their glands when they have bowel movements. This means, better digestion and it stops them from dragging their butts across my carpets, floors, etc. It REALLY works. But, as of Septempber 1, 2011 - after attempting to find it in over 5 local grocery stores, I am beginning to worry about shortages again this year as was the case last year. I'll keep trying, however, in worse case scenario, we can buy pumpkins around Halloween holiday and boil them down and mass the pulp with same effect.

No way, I just bought some canned pumpkin!

roni says:

We have lots of pumpkin in Colorado, but priced way to high. I bought a store brand last year for 69 cents a can (luckily I bought a case). I think they are just trying to rip us off. Ever since the 2009 shortage, when they figured they could get $3 or $4 a can, the price has remained high. We should boycott one year until the price drops. I think Libby's has 80% of the market and they are getting greedy.

MrsPotts says:

I hope not! My favorite after Thanksgiving breakfast is a slice of pumpkin pie. :-)

nancycarol says:

I certainly hope it isn't so...I have five pumpkin cookie recipes that depend on canned pumpkin. Well, they could be made with fresh pumpkin, but are lots easier with canned.

thebabyshop says:

I stocked up last year, not knowing there was a shortage... but now I'm going to look! But I think I've seen it out of the corner of my eye in the baking aisle, so I'm going to say no, no shortage in Massachusetts.

Alabama says:

Maybe. Cannot find any at any of the WalMarts around here. Publix however does have pumpkin on the shelves. So, I'm not sure. I also buy it for my dogs. Last year I had to order organic pumkin by the case through Amaz.on

BigGirlBlue says:

I have never heard of a shortage and I've never had a hard time finding it. (I also feed it to my dog and make pumpkin soup).

NaturalMindset says:

I stocked up, just in case!

Jen says:

Last year, yes! You couldn't get canned pumpkin to save your life. I was told that the rains rotted all the pumpkins in the fields. But this year there are TONS of canned pumpkin on the shelves! So stock up if you feel the need, but no worries, it'll be there!

Treasures-By-Brenda says:

There is definitely pumpkin available on the shelves at my grocery store. We've been drinking pumpkin juice and eating pumpkin muffins...

BuckHawk says:

Last time I checked, there was canned pumpkin on my grocery store shelf. But, now you have me worried!

 
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Guestbook

  • SereneSea Nov 15, 2011 @ 1:42 am | delete
    I believe it might be a rumour, howeverit is always best to stack some of the food that might become a shortage.
  • LeadFinderPro Nov 8, 2011 @ 12:03 pm | delete
    Hi, gr8 lens, very informative, keep up the good work.
  • MrsPotts Nov 6, 2011 @ 5:53 pm | delete
    It seems you really want what you can't have. I never give pumpkin a thought except at Thanksgiving, but now a pumpkin pie sounds really good! You never know if these stories are true or a PR stunt, but just to make sure I get my pie...I'll break down and but a couple cans now.
  • Your_personal_consultant Nov 1, 2011 @ 8:32 am | delete
    This has been a problem for me since I keep pumpkin in the house not only for human consumption - but also because it is the best thing in the world if the dog gets an upset stomach. It is good medicine!
  • MiddleSister Oct 30, 2011 @ 7:35 pm | delete
    The shortage mentality makes you just panic, ya know?
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What became of my pumpkin!

This Thanksgiving Magazine page written by

bdkz

Bonnie is a Community Organizer here on Squidoo.

She manages the Giant Squid VIP Writers program, organizes the Squidoo charity program and is editor... more »

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