CENTERVILLE – It’s the pumpkin season but heavy rain and flooding in the Midwest has led to a nationwide pumpkin shortage.
Around 90 percent of the country’s supply of cooking pumpkins are grown in Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, which were the states that were affected by severe weather this year.
The result has driven up the price of pumpkins and prompted manufacturers like Libby’s, to warn that pie filling may only be available until Thanksgiving.
The owners of the Centerville Pie Company saw that the shortage was coming months ago when they stocked up on 25 cases of pumpkin filling.
“Eighty to 90 percent of all the pumpkin is made by Libby, so if Libby’s having an issue, we’re all having an issue,” said owner Kristin Broadley.
Cans of Libby’s pumpkin filling can be found on ebay selling for over $20.
The Centerville Pie Company plans on making 800 to 1000 pumpkin pies for customers in time for the Thanksgiving season.
Broadley is thankful to have caught news of the pumpkin drought in time, but thinks that many will be ready if it happens again next year.
“I’ll certainly be paying more attention and I bet you everybody that didn’t catch it this year will be paying more attention next year,” said Broadley.
Pumpkins used for Halloween decoration and carvings are mostly grown in Michigan, but are not expected to see as much of a shortage as canned pumpkins.
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