Anyone else having trouble finding canned pumpkin?

[Forget-Me-Not]

We managed to grab two 15-oz cans of Great Value pumpkin (no Libby’s in stock) a few weeks ago and now I’m wishing I’d picked up a more of the few cans that were left, because I can’t find it anywhere local. I’ve checked several stores. Costco usually has a 3-pack of the 29-oz cans by now, but not this year. Amazon and Walmart are charging absurd prices to buy it online. 
 

And yeah, I know I could buy some actual pumpkins and break them down, but all I’ve seen so far are Jack-o-lantern pumpkins. Plus I’ve done it before and it’s a lot of work and mess. 

Edited September 16, 2020 by Forget-Me-Not

[mommyoffive]

I heard this on another board.  Maybe we should be getting Thanksgiving ingredients now.

[Pawz4me]

It's been very sparse here. But for some reason I'm thinking that's not totally unusual this time of the year? I sure seem to remember the same problem in some past years. Hopefully supplies will increase soon.

[MEmama]

I could find it at Whole Foods and Vitacost (both delivery) until just a few weeks ago. But the only kind available was a brand I don’t care for. Now neither place carries it at all. I’m hoping the situation will change soon after pumpkin harvest time. 

[Katy]

I remember this last year too.  It was in stock everywhere in the 2nd week of October.

OTOH, there might be a shortage because of the fires out west?  Where are Libby's farms?

[Sherry in OH]

My grocery has been out of canned pumpkin since mid-August.  Canned beets were also out of stock.  Beets reappeared after several weeks. I am hoping pumpkin does too.    

[EmilyGF]

I bought 12 cans of canned pumpkin at Aldi yesterday. They had a lot. I like to stock up in fall and then use it in recipes all year.

I think CA is in the top five states that grow pumpkins, but is not the main supplier.

Emily

[alisoncooks]

7 hours ago, mommyoffive said:

I heard this on another board.  Maybe we should be getting Thanksgiving ingredients now.

I've been thinking this anyway. How many people usually eat Thanksgiving away from home, but will now be preparing their own? I'm sure there'll be shortages of traditional holiday foods. 

[MrsMommy]

I thought it was just me!

When I went grocery shopping two weeks ago, I was hoping to grab a few cans so I could do some fall baking, but they didn't have a single can in any size or brand! There wasn't even any pumpkin pie filling (which I wouldn't have bought anyway, but adds to my concern about finding it before Thanksgiving). I'm going to look again when I shop tomorrow, and now I know that if I find it, I should grab a few extra cans to get me through fall and the holidays.

[Selkie]

1 hour ago, Katy said:

I remember this last year too.  It was in stock everywhere in the 2nd week of October.

OTOH, there might be a shortage because of the fires out west?  Where are Libby's farms?

Illinois is the top pumpkin growing state and I heard there is a bumper crop this year. The growing conditions were good for pumpkins here this summer - a wet start and then dry for several weeks. I think the shortage is because of increased demand due to more people cooking and baking at home.

[kirstenhill]

Several years ago there was a bad pie pumpkin crop and I remember it was impossible to find either cans or whole pie pumpkins. This year my nearest regular grocery store has tons of whole pie pumpkins and was out of canned! I'm really hoping Aldi has some when I go this weekend. Usually I have no trouble buying it in September for making pumpkin bread and muffins! 

[Sarah0000]

Yes I've been having this problem as we use pumpkin all year long. I finally found a few cans at the store and was able to order a dozen on Amazon subscription.

[cjzimmer1]

I don't normally buy a lot of canned pumpkin.  I can get sweet potatoes in bulk for super cheap most years.  Boil, peel, mash, and I have "pumpkin" for all my needs ( you can also sub just about any kind of orange squash but since they have seeds I find them a bit more work).  Last year I didn't get to process any sweet potatoes because we were plagued with critical house repairs and I simply didn't have time.  Last week, I stopped at Aldi's and happened to think about grabbing a couple of cans of pumpkin to tied me over till the sweet potatoes are ready.  They must have just got them in because there wasn't any on the shelf but there were 6 cases on the pallet.  But I guess I will have to pay attention to the supply.  Canned is my fallback, but if that's not an option, I will have to make sure to get my supply set up.

[Lb20inblue]

Trader Joe's just put out their organic pumpkin...maybe I should buy a few more cans to last through the winter.

[cintinative]

I have bought about 12 cans over the last two weeks at Aldi's. I ran out last year (maybe because of the baking craze?). Anyway, I am going to buy a little each time I go. I am concerned the same thing will happen this year. 

[Jean in Newcastle]

Yes, I use it to mix in with the dog's food and I have had trouble for some time.  The only place I can find it is QFC on occasion. 

[Forget-Me-Not]

9 hours ago, Selkie said:

Illinois is the top pumpkin growing state and I heard there is a bumper crop this year. The growing conditions were good for pumpkins here this summer - a wet start and then dry for several weeks. I think the shortage is because of increased demand due to more people cooking and baking at home.

Oh good!  Maybe I’m just looking too early then. I am in CA and other than the shortage a few years ago, I usually don’t have trouble finding it any time of the year. But of course with pandemic and fires, supply chains are disrupted everywhere.  Fingers crossed. 

[Ali in OR]

Yes I would guess there will be pumpkin available next month. This is the time of year it is harvested--I could see why they might run out before the next harvest. I always buy in October/November  for the whole year (6 cans is plenty for us).

[marbel]

At the mainstream big chain grocery store today, I saw plenty of canned pumpkin, in both large and small cans. I had 3 left over from last year, but bought one more. I also saw it at Trader Joe's tonight.