Sabra hummus is one of the most popular hummus brands in North America. However, in recent months there have been reports of shortages and lack of availability of some Sabra hummus products in stores. This has left many hummus lovers wondering why their favorite brand of hummus seems hard to find.
Background on Sabra
Sabra Dipping Company, LLC is a U.S.-based company that manufactures a wide variety of hummus and other dips and spreads. The company was established in 1986 in Queens, New York by an Israeli immigrant. In 2005, Sabra entered into a joint venture with PepsiCo, with PepsiCo obtaining a 50% stake in the company. Since then, Sabra has grown to become the top-selling hummus brand in the United States.
Some key facts about Sabra:
– Headquarters: White Plains, NY
– Manufacturing facilities in Virginia, California, and New York
– Wide range of hummus products including classic, roasted red pepper, spinach & artichoke, olive, and more
– Also produces guacamole, salsa, and Greek yogurt dips
– Products sold across U.S. and Canada in major grocery retailers
As of 2020, Sabra controlled over 60% of the hummus market in the U.S., with annual revenues of around $800 million. It has become many consumers’ go-to hummus brand.
Shortages Started in Mid-2022
In mid-2022, reports started cropping up of shortages of Sabra products on store shelves. Shoppers began posting photos of empty Sabra hummus shelves and complaining they couldn’t find their usual Sabra items.
The shortages seemed to be widespread geographically, with reports indicating low Sabra stock or empty shelves in grocery stores across much of North America. Different Sabra hummus flavors and product lines appeared to be affected, including popular items like classic hummus, guacamole, Greek yogurt dips, and more.
Initially it was unclear what was causing the shortages. Sabra did not make any formal announcement explaining reasons for the supply issues. Consumers were left wondering what had happened to their beloved Sabra products.
Potential Causes
Although Sabra has not provided official details on what led to the shortages, several potential causes have been speculated:
Supply Chain Disruptions
Like many food producers, Sabra has likely been impacted by global supply chain problems stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Disruptions like production delays, transportation bottlenecks, and ingredient shortages have affected food supplies. If Sabra’s supply chain faced setbacks, this could limit hummus output.
Labor Shortages
If Sabra’s manufacturing facilities or distribution operations were impacted by labor shortages, this could slow hummus production and distribution capacity. Employee absenteeism related to COVID-19 may have also contributed.
Surging Demand
As a popular brand, demand for Sabra hummus has surged in recent years. Outpacing production capabilities with this high consumer demand could cause inventory strains.
Weather/Crop Yields
Key hummus ingredients like chickpeas and tahini (sesame seed paste) could have had lower yields in 2022. Drought conditions may have contributed. With shortages of ingredients, Sabra could not produce hummus at regular rates.
Russia-Ukraine War Disruptions
The war may have cut off supplies of sunflower oil that Sabra sources from the region. Sunflower oil is an important ingredient in hummus production. Lack of availability may have forced cutbacks.
Sabra’s Eventual Official Response
In August 2022, Sabra finally released an official statement acknowledging the shortages and explaining the reasons behind it:
| Date | Announcement Excerpt |
|-|-|
| August 17, 2022 | “We are currently experiencing higher than normal out of stocks across our product portfolio. The entire food industry continues to experience challenges driven by both ongoing supply constraints as well as labor shortages.” |
The statement indicated that both supply chain issues and labor shortages were key factors impacting Sabra’s operations and hummus inventory levels. No timeline was provided for when supplies would normalize.
Ongoing Shortages Through Fall 2022
As of fall 2022, the shortages of various Sabra hummus products continue in stores across North America. Both traditional and unique hummus flavors are still hard to come by.
Photos and complaints on social media indicate the problem persists in essentially all major grocery retailers that normally stock Sabra products, including:
– Walmart
– Target
– Publix
– Kroger
– Safeway
– Giant
– Stop & Shop
It is now approaching 6+ months of supply issues for Sabra. The out-of-stock situation does not appear to be improving notably.
Examples of Continued Shortages
Here are a few examples demonstrating the ongoing lack of inventory for popular Sabra items:
| Product | Retailer | Social Media Complaint Date |
|-|-|-|
| Classic Hummus | Walmart | September 15, 2022 |
| Guacamole | Kroger | September 28, 2022 |
| Greek Yogurt Dips | Safeway | October 1, 2022 |
| Supremely Spicy Hummus | Publix | October 5, 2022 |
Without sufficient supplies of chickpeas, tahini, and other ingredients, Sabra is clearly still struggling to meet demand.
Impact on Consumers
The Sabra hummus shortages have had a significant impact on consumers who regularly purchase the brand:
Lack of Availability of Favorite Products
Devoted Sabra buyers can no longer find their preferred hummus product flavors and varieties on store shelves. This leaves them disappointed and forces them to find substitutes.
Turn to Alternative Brands
With no Sabra hummus available, many consumers have switched to other hummus brands like Tribe, Cedars, or private label options. However, hummus lovers note these alternatives do not always match Sabra’s quality and taste.
Paying More for Sabra
Some stores appear to be taking advantage of the shortages by pricing remaining Sabra stock at higher than normal rates. This inflates costs for buyers who still manage to locate Sabra items.
Reduced Hummus Consumption
In cases where other hummus brands are not appetizing, consumers may forego purchasing substitute dips and opt to buy fewer hummus products overall until Sabra returns.
When Will Sabra Supplies Rebound?
Sabra has not provided estimates on when inventory levels may normalize. The company is likely at the mercy of ongoing supply chain and labor issues plaguing the wider food industry.
Hummus production involves growing and transporting high volumes of ingredients like chickpeas, tahini, and sunflower oil. These supply chains were disrupted by COVID-19 and other macroeconomic events. It may take quite some time for stocks to stabilize.
Even once Sabra’s facilities receive ample ingredients, the company possibly still faces worker shortages or absenteeism limiting manufacturing throughput. And transportation and distribution hiccups could slow getting hummus to retailers.
Expert Predictions
Industry experts predict the Sabra shortages may persist:
| Expert | Prediction |
|-|-|
| Jon Springer, Retail Editor | Shortages likely to continue throughout 2022 |
| Brian Kateman, Food Supply Analyst | Unlikely supplies will improve until 2023 |
| Agata Kaczanowska, IGD Retail Analyst | Sabra production constraints may last next 6-12 months |
Until Sabra provides transparency on when they expect shelves to be fully stocked, hummus fans will remain frustrated.
Coping Strategies for Consumers
Here are some tips for consumers struggling with the lack of Sabra hummus availability:
Try Alternative Brands
Experiment with other hummus brand flavors to find ones that come closest to your favorite Sabra tastes. Tribe and Cedars are quality options.
Make Your Own
Homemade hummus can be simple to prepare and allows you to customize flavors. Look for chickpea and tahini recipes online.
Substitute with Other Dips
Consider swapping hummus for avocado or bean dips until Sabra products return. Retailers keep these better stocked.
Buy Sabra Online
Some stores carry Sabra hummus online even when out of stock in-store. Order online for delivery if you cannot find your variety locally.
Stock Up When Available
If you do spot Sabra inventory at your store, buy multiple containers to stock your refrigerator while supplies last.
The Future of Sabra Hummus
Once production capacity and inventory levels return to normal, will Sabra hummus go back to business as usual?
Some analysts think the shortages could have a lasting impact on Sabra’s market position:
Loss of Customer Loyalty
Frequent out-of-stocks may cause some buyers to permanently switch hummus brands. Sabra may need to win back consumer trust.
Open Door for Competitors
Rival brands like Tribe and Cedars now have a chance to pick up former Sabra customers. They could eat into Sabra’s dominant market share.
Pressure for Wider Production Network
Sabra may need to expand manufacturing partnerships beyond just PepsiCo and its own facilities to diversify production. This could dilute the brand image.
Scrutiny of Supply Chain Resilience
Public companies like PepsiCo may face pressure to invest in supply chain improvements and have contingency plans for Sabra distribution.
Conclusion
In summary, the Sabra hummus shortages first reported in mid-2022 continue to impact grocery stores across North America. Supply chain issues coupled with labor shortages appear to be key factors constraining Sabra’s production capacity. It remains unclear when inventory levels will normalize, with experts predicting potential shortfalls for many more months. While consumers can employ some coping strategies, the Sabra supply crunch has required hummus lovers to make difficult sacrifices. Going forward, it will be important for Sabra to rebuild customer trust and supply chain resilience to protect its brand reputation. However, the shortages may offer competitors a new path to take on the category leader. For hummus companies and consumers alike, the availability challenges will hopefully encourage investments into improving the reliability of this beloved refrigerator staple.
