The coronavirus is now coming for your pepperoni pizza. The latest shortage caused by the pandemic is of pepperoni, America’s favorite pizza topping. Bloomberg reported that small pizza shops across the country say they are paying significantly higher prices for pepperoni and that the supply has become tighter.
There are two factors involved: pork processors have had fewer workers during the pandemic and some suppliers have reduced the amount of pepperoni being produced because it’s a complicated product to make; and demand for pizza is up with more people staying home during the pandemic, including during the lockdowns. Large pizza chains, however, haven’t been affected by the pepperoni shortage, since they buy their ingredients through long-term contracts.
