Across America, toilet paper shortages are back, and the sight of empty shelves is giving people flashbacks to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. But this time, the lack of toilet paper isn’t caused by supply chain issues or a major port strike—it’s driven by panic buying. Reports flooded social media on Tuesday, showing empty shelves in stores like Walmart, Costco, and Target. However, the actual supply of toilet paper remains unaffected by current events.
Social Media Fuels Panic Buying Frenzy
Panic buying was on full display on Tuesday, as photos of empty toilet paper shelves spread like wildfire on social media platforms. “They cleaned out the toilet paper at my local Walmart in Virginia. Toilet paper hoarding 2.0!” one user posted on X, sharing a snapshot of bare shelves.
Another user in New Jersey observed, “Shelves at Costco & Target running low or out of paper towels in Monmouth County NJ. Seeing people buying TP & water too in reax to port strike. Costco employee told me they were sold out of TP/paper towels this am.”
While the frenzy is reminiscent of the early pandemic days, the underlying reasons are vastly different this time around.
Port Strike Has No Impact on Toilet Paper Supply
Contrary to popular belief, the recent port strike—impacting facilities from Maine to Texas—has no direct effect on the supply of toilet paper. The overwhelming majority of toilet paper consumed in the US is produced domestically, with more than 90% coming from American factories. The remainder typically arrives from Canada and Mexico via rail or truck, not through the ports affected by the strike.
The American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA), which represents paper manufacturers, has expressed concerns about the strike’s potential impact on its members, but these concerns are focused on exports to foreign markets, not imports.
Why Are People Still Stocking Up?
Despite the fact that the supply of toilet paper is steady, mob psychology has led to widespread panic buying. Bad memories of 2020’s toilet paper shortages seem to be driving people to stock up unnecessarily. Back then, supply chains were truly disrupted, leading to limitations on purchases. Today, the fear of running out, rather than any real threat, is what’s clearing the shelves.
The reality is that, if anything, the strike could result in an overabundance of toilet paper due to slowed exports. Toilet paper is also not a perishable item, meaning the rolls hoarded today will be usable for years to come—unlike perishable goods that may be affected by the strike.
While toilet paper is safe from the effects of the port strike, other items, particularly perishable goods, may face shortages. Bananas, for example, are one of the most vulnerable products. Nearly 100% of the bananas consumed in the US are imported, and over half of those imports come through the ports currently experiencing labor strikes. The American Farm Bureau data shows that more than a quarter of all US banana imports come through Wilmington, Delaware—one of the ports currently affected.
Bananas have a short shelf life, and the current supply could dwindle quickly since shippers were unable to push through large shipments ahead of the strike. Unlike toilet paper, which can be stored indefinitely, bananas need to reach grocery shelves and consumers quickly before they turn brown.
While the port strike has stirred up fears of shortages, the reality is that there’s no reason to worry about toilet paper. Domestic production remains robust, and the real impacts of the strike will be seen in perishable goods like bananas. The current rush to stock up on toilet paper is a perfect example of panic buying driven by fear, not facts.
