Shipping container crisis could spark another toilet paper shortage

BY SARAH POLUS - 03/25/21 

The world may face another toilet paper shortage similar to the one experienced at onset of the COVID-19 pandemic due to high demand for shipping containers, Bloomberg reports.

Suzano SA — the world's largest producer of wood pulp, needed to make toilet paper — is now warning that the demand for shipping containers could delay shipments to producers.

As the container crisis continues, the Brazil-based company is finding it harder to secure shipping containers to transport wood pulp.

The company's Chief Executive Officer Walter Schalka said if the issue worsens, a worldwide toilet paper shortage could be inevitable. The company has already had to push back shipments originally scheduled for March into April, according to Bloomberg.

The outlet reports that the worldwide shipping crisis, which has been going on for months, stems from increased demand from China. The shortage has trickled down through the global economy, already impacting supplies of other products, including coffee and cheese.

In the spring of 2020 as the pandemic hit the U.S., retailers across the country experienced shortages of products including toilet paper as panic over supplies caused people to stockpile household necessities as they entered into quarantine.

Last April, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon told NBC News his company sold enough toilet paper in five days for every American to have a roll.