Tater tots, those bite-sized crispy potato nuggets loved by kids and adults alike, have been harder to find on grocery store shelves lately. A perfect side dish or snack, tater tots seem to be the latest victim of pandemic-related supply chain issues. So what’s causing the tater tot shortage?
What are tater tots?
Tater tots are made of small pellets of grated potatoes, mixed with a binding agent like flour or cornstarch, then deep fried until crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. They were invented in 1953 by Ore-Ida founders F. Nephi Grigg and Golden Grigg after they were trying to figure out what to do with potato shreds and slivers left over from making french fries. The bite-sized potato nuggets were called “tater tots” as a play on the word “tots,” a nickname for small children. Ore-Ida began selling them commercially in stores in 1956 under the name “Ore-Ida Tater Tots.” They became popular, especially with kids, for their fun size, shape, and crispy, savory taste.
Why are tater tots in short supply now?
There are a few key factors contributing to the current shortage of tater tots:
Potato crops
Potatoes are the main ingredient in tater tots. In 2021, potato crops in major growing regions like Idaho, Washington, and Wisconsin faced severe drought and heat waves. This reduced potato crop yields, resulting in a shortage of potatoes available for processing into tater tots and other potato products.
Labor shortages
Like many industries, companies that make tater tots are facing labor shortages. With fewer factory workers to make and package tater tots, production has dropped. Ore-Ida, the largest tater tot producer, saw a 38% drop in production in 2022 due to lack of workers.
Transportation issues
Shortages of truck drivers and other transportation disruptions have made it harder for tater tot companies to get potatoes to their factories and to get finished tater tot products to stores. Supply chain issues stemming from the pandemic have exacerbated transportation problems.
Packaging shortages
Tater tots are packaged in plastic bags or cardboard boxes. Shortages of materials like polyethylene film used for packaging have further reduced the supply of tater tots making it to store shelves.
Increased demand
As a shelf-stable, budget-friendly food that is popular with kids, demand for tater tots rose during the pandemic. This spike in demand combined with decreasing production capacity has tightened tater tot supplies.
When will tater tot supplies improve?
Experts say tater tot shortages could persist into 2023. Here’s an outlook on when we could see more tater tots back on shelves:
| Factor | Outlook |
|---|---|
| Potato crops | Depends on weather and growing conditions for 2022 potato harvest which ends in October. Normal or better yields could mean more potatoes available for tater tot production in late 2022/early 2023. |
| Labor shortages | Could improve somewhat in 2023 if economic conditions make factory jobs more appealing but labor shortages will likely continue. |
| Transportation issues | Unlikely to see major improvement in trucker shortage in 2023. Ongoing rail, port and warehouse congestion will also continue. |
| Packaging shortages | Packaging producers are working to increase capacity but issues will persist into 2023. |
Barring an unexpected shock to potato crops or rapid resolution of multiple supply chain issues, most experts expect tater tot shortages to continue well into 2023 before a more normal supply is restored.
How can you find tater tots right now?
If you’re really craving some crispy tater tot goodness, here are some tips for tracking them down when supplies are limited:
- Check stores early in the morning when new inventory arrives before it sells out.
- Ask store managers when they expect the next tater tot delivery.
- Try dollar stores or other discount retailers which may have better supply.
- Substitute with other potato products like hash browns or fries if you can’t find tater tots.
- Buy frozen tater tots online from retailers like Walmart, Target or Amazon.
- Make your own by shredding potatoes and baking bites-sized portions until crispy.
The future of tater tots
While the current shortage is frustrating for tater tot fans, it’s likely just temporary. Tater tots have been popular for over 60 years and there’s no sign that people will lose their taste for these tasty potato bites anytime soon. Companies are investing to boost production capacity and get supplies back to normal.
Innovations in potato harvesting, processing and transport may even make tater tots more readily available in the future. New potato varieties optimized for turning into tater tots could provide better yields. Manufacturers are also exploring upgrades like automated equipment to improve productivity.
For now, be prepared to hunt around a bit to get your tater tot fix. And if you do spot them on grocery store shelves, you may want to grab a few extra bags while you can!