Go Back
AccuWeather forecasters say tropical development could occur in early June. Get the forecast. Chevron right

Ashburn, VA

57°F
Location Chevron down
Location News Videos
Use Current Location
Recent

Ashburn

Virginia

57°
No results found.
Try searching for a city, zip code or point of interest.
settings
Ashburn, VA Weather
Today WinterCast Local {stormName} Tracker Hourly Daily Radar MinuteCast Monthly Air Quality Health & Activities

Around the Globe

Hurricane Tracker

Severe Weather

Radar & Maps

News

News & Features

Astronomy

Business

Climate

Health

Recreation

Sports

Travel

Video

Podcasts

Winter Center

Top Stories AccuWeather Early AccuWeather Prime Astronomy Climate Travel Health Recreation Business Sports

News / Business

Weather to blame for shortage of popular Sriracha hot sauce

Thanks to a lackluster spring chili pepper harvest, one of the world’s biggest hot sauce manufacturers has suspended production of its iconic spicy sauces throughout the summer.

By Allison Finch, AccuWeather staff writer

Published Jun 10, 2022 1:39 PM EDT | Updated Jun 10, 2022 2:50 PM EDT

Copied

Sriracha chili sauce is produced at the Huy Fong Foods factory in Irwindale, Calif., on Oct. 29, 2013. (AP Photo/Nick Ut, File)

The maker of one of the United States' most beloved condiments has been forced to suspend production of its iconic spicy sauces until at least Labor Day. A worsening drought and rising temperatures are to blame.

In a statement to AccuWeather, Huy Fong Foods, the maker of the famous Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce, confirmed the shortage of its products.

"We are still endeavoring to resolve this issue that has been caused by several spiraling events, including unexpected crop failure from the spring chili harvest," the company wrote.

In a letter sent out to customers in mid-April, the company said it is facing a severe shortage of chili and will have to limit the production of several of its popular sauces until after Labor Day.

"Currently, due to weather conditions affecting the quality of chili peppers, we now face a more severe shortage of chili," the company wrote. "Unfortunately, this is out of our control, and without this essential ingredient, we are unable to produce any of our products (Chili Garlic, Sambal Oelek, and Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce)."

A worker unloads chili peppers for making of Sriracha chili sauce at the Huy Fong Foods factory in Irwindale, Calif., on Oct. 29, 2013. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)

The California-based company sources its chili peppers from various farms in California, New Mexico and Mexico, all of which are being affected by rising temperatures and a historic drought.

AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Bill Deger said the drought that has gripped parts of the Southwest has been going on for the better part of two years, and while the worst of the drought conditions has shifted over the past year, much of the Southwest is still experiencing abnormally dry conditions.

"According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the worst of the drought was found across the Central Valley of California and in central and eastern New Mexico, where the drought is classified as 'exceptional,'" said Deger. "Outside of those areas, most of the rest of California and New Mexico is in severe drought."

GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP

  •   Have the app? Unlock AccuWeather Alerts™ with Premium+

Over the next few weeks, the drought is expected to change little or even worsen across much of the Southwest, said Deger.

"The return of monsoon moisture in parts of the Southwest over the next couple of months will help," said Deger. "But California stands to benefit little from this, and the same is also likely true for New Mexico, at least the central and eastern portions where it is driest."

In Mexico, the drought isn't nearly as alarming as the one currently ongoing in the Southwest U.S. While most of Mexico is in a "moderate" drought, there are a few small areas in northern Mexico that are in a "severe" or "extreme" drought, according to the North American Drought Monitor.

"We hope for a fruitful fall season," the company said. "And thank our customers for their patience and continued support during this difficult time."

See also:

Extraordinary heat sends temps to nearly 130 in the Middle East
Halsey 'disappointed' with venue after flash flood drowns out concert
Tree may be the world's oldest, dating to 3,400 years before Christ

Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app.AccuWeather Alerts™ are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.

Report a Typo
Comments that don't add to the conversation may be automatically or manually removed by Facebook or AccuWeather. Profanity, personal attacks, and spam will not be tolerated.
Comments
Hide Comments

Weather News

Weather News

Shanghai records its highest May temperature in more than 100 years

May 29, 2023
Weather News

Venice authorities investigate after canal turns fluorescent green

May 29, 2023
video

Ways you can get outside to honor the fallen on Memorial Day

May 29, 2023
Show more Show less Chevron down

Topics

Top Stories

AccuWeather Early

AccuWeather Prime

Astronomy

Climate

Travel

Health

Recreation

Business

Sports

Top Stories

Severe Weather

Severe thunderstorms to end May with a bang

10 hours ago

Severe Weather

Rough waters cause scare aboard Carnival Cruise

10 hours ago

Weather News

4 great white sharks detected in waters off NY and NJ

13 hours ago

Hurricane

Deadly Typhoon Mawar churns closer to Philippines

14 hours ago

Weather Forecasts

Temperatures to surge in Midwest, Northeast

10 hours ago

More Stories

Featured Topic

Your Local Asthma Forecast

Featured Stories

Weather News

Chasing the light: NYC’s Manhattanhenge returns this week

16 hours ago

Weather News

Four dead after tourist boat capsizes in Italy’s Lake Maggiore

13 hours ago

Time-lapse video shows tornado from beginning to end in Texas

23 hours ago 0:26
AccuWeather Business Weather to blame for shortage of popular Sriracha hot sauce
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect Podcast RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect Podcast RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
© 2023 AccuWeather, Inc. "AccuWeather" and sun design are registered trademarks of AccuWeather, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Do Not Sell My Data checkmark Confirmed Not Selling Your Data

We have updated our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

I Understand

Get AccuWeather alerts as they happen with our browser notifications.

Notifications Enabled

Thanks! We’ll keep you informed.

FEEDBACK