Idaho Can Stop Panicking About Toilet Paper Now

Toilet Paper Shortage Hits Several Idaho Stores

Over the past few days, social media posts have highlighted a noticeable lack of toilet paper on Idaho store shelves, with reports of empty sections in grocery stores and department stores and even empty pallets at Costco where their popular Kirkland brand is usually stocked.

What’s Causing the Toilet Paper Shortage?

The cause of any shortages in the Gem State has very little to do with the recent port strike on the East Coast; at least not directly. The real culprit behind the shortage is panic buying. When news of potential supply chain issues spreads, consumers often rush to stock up on essentials like toilet paper, which can quickly deplete store inventories.

Good News: Dockworkers Strike Paused

The good news is that the port strike has been temporarily suspended as of Friday, October 4, 2024, with negotiations continuing until January. Dockworkers are back to work, so any lingering delays in shipments should be short-lived. This suspension is expected to help stabilize the supply chain in the coming weeks.

There's No Need to Panic About Toilet Paper in Idaho

Even if the strike were still ongoing, experts agree that it would not be enough to justify stockpiling toilet paper. Paper suppliers in the US were not impacted by the strike. If you need some TP, it’s fine to pick some up. However, there's no reason to hoard supplies, as production and shipments are expected to catch up soon... as long as the panic purchasing comes to an end, that is.