Every December, eggnog becomes the undeniable star of dairy cases and family get-togethers. It’s rich, creamy, and so closely tied to the winter holidays that spotting those small cartons feels like a seasonal rite. But if you’ve gone shopping lately and come up empty, you’re not alone. Eggnog shortages, once considered unusual, have popped up more often over the past few years.
A Drink That Always Sells—Sometimes Too Fast
Eggnog demand has seen major spikes, with sales jumping as much as 60% during some holiday seasons. That’s a lot of people craving the same comforting drink at the same exact time. Producers typically gear up for a holiday rush, but there’s only so much they can accurately predict.
It’s not just nostalgia or tradition fuelling this. Social media, new recipes, and a general love for “seasonal” flavors have all fed the sudden popularity. Families that skipped eggnog one year might buy multiple cartons the next. And once it’s gone, restocking isn’t always simple.
How Supply Chains Fumbled the Holidays
The pandemic made supply chain stories part of everyday conversation—even for things as basic as milk and eggs. The whole path from farm to supermarket shelf got bumpy, affecting staples and seasonal favorites alike. Eggnog, being so perishable and time-limited, was hit especially hard.
At the time, processors couldn’t always get their hands on packaging, drivers, or enough staff to make and deliver products on time. Some shipments got stuck halfway across the country due to a lack of trucks or drivers. Since eggnog is made and shipped only in large bursts, any hiccup reached store shelves almost immediately.
Ingredient Troubles: The Butterfat Bottleneck
You can’t make classic eggnog without butterfat—the rich part of milk that gives eggnog its thick, silky texture. But in recent years, butterfat has been in short supply, mainly because dairy farmers and creameries had their own challenges.
Some creameries had to prioritize other products, like regular milk and cream, which sell in bigger volumes year-round. Butterfat doesn’t store forever, and if there’s even a small shortage, seasonal items like eggnog get cut back first. For smaller brands, this meant cancelling production runs or taking eggnog off shelves earlier in the season than planned.
Eggnog Availability: A Patchwork Across the Country
Strangely enough, not every store saw empty shelves. Some major retailers like Walmart, Target, or Kroger had eggnog steadily in stock, while regional or independent stores ran out long before Christmas.
The reason? Shipping distance, warehouse logistics, and supplier relationships all played a part. If a region had a reliable local dairy operation or distribution center nearby, they tended to avoid the worst of the shortage. In other places, bottlenecks meant even giant chains limited how much they could stock, or swapped in unfamiliar brands.
So, you might hear one friend complain about an eggnog drought, while another casually adds it to their Sunday shopping without a thought.
The Homegrown Advantage—When Local Producers Step Up
For some lucky shoppers, local co-ops, dairies, and small-scale producers kept eggnog in the refrigerator case, even as big-name brands struggled. It turns out, producers sourcing eggs and milk from local farms were less vulnerable to the tangled global supply chain.
Because they didn’t ship supplies as far, local businesses could adapt quickly if something went sideways. They might make smaller batches more regularly, or they could swap in eggs from a neighbor’s farm if their regular vendor was short.
If you’re near one of these resilient producers, you probably noticed fresher, often tastier eggnog that never quite disappeared. Supporting local dairies also helps regional economies—and keeps these small businesses thriving during tough times.
How Retailers Make or Break the Eggnog Season
Big box stores and grocery chains all handled the eggnog crunch a little differently. Some doubled down, increasing their orders early in the season. Others chose to ration supply, knowing that running out completely would disappoint regular customers.
A few chains, especially those with closer ties to regional suppliers, managed to sidestep the worst shortages. They adjusted their ordering schedules or leaned on long-term partnerships with dairies and distributors.
On the other hand, smaller grocery stores often had less leverage. They might not get all the cartons they request, or they get deliveries later in the holiday season, when demand is already peaking.
We also saw some retailers promote other seasonal dairy drinks—like holiday-flavored creamers or non-dairy “nog” options—when eggnog itself ran out. For adventurous shoppers, this led to trying oat nog, almond nog, and other alternatives.
Could You Just Make It Yourself?
When refrigerator cases go empty, a lot of people turn to homemade eggnog recipes. It’s a pretty simple mixture of eggs, milk, cream, sugar, and spices—plus any extras you want to add. If you buy from local farms, you sidestep some of the bigger supply chain headaches.
Homemade eggnog does require a little time and care, especially since it’s important to heat it carefully to avoid food safety risks. But you’re in full control of the richness, sweetness, and which spices you prefer.
If you haven’t tried making it before, this could actually make the shortage feel less frustrating. Some people say homemade eggnog tastes fresher and cleaner than any store-bought brand. And if you have kids, it can be a fun holiday activity while you wait for the next shipment to hit store shelves.
Finding Eggnog When Shelves Are Bare
If you’re determined to get eggnog and your local supermarket is out, there are still a few tricks to try. Check smaller groceries, farmers’ markets, or even local dairies directly. Some shops post updates on social media about when new batches arrive.
Switching to different brands might help, too. National chains tend to have sturdier supply lines, so try their store brands if your usual pick is missing.
Another good idea is to keep an eye on sites like Daily Business Voice, which sometimes highlight local food supply issues and community producers who step up when big distributors back out.
Has This Always Been the Case?
Eggnog shortages aren’t completely new. If you look back, there were blips in 2016 and through the pandemic years—usually linked to either a surprise surge in demand or problems moving dairy and eggs from farm to factory.
A lot of dairies don’t keep much extra eggnog on hand. The product goes bad pretty quickly, so they try to estimate as closely as possible. If sales jump, there’s not much room for adjustment.
People sometimes swap stories online about driving to five stores in a single day or paying extra for a single carton. At the same time, others in different towns wonder what all the fuss is about, because their local shelves are overflowing.
Eggnog Shortages, Up Close
It’s fair to say that eggnog is more vulnerable to sudden hiccups than just about any other holiday treat. It depends on ingredients that need to be extra fresh and on factories planning sales almost down to the day.
These problems are usually temporary. Most shortages last only a couple of weeks at the most, then supply catches up when the first post-Christmas eggnog cartons are cleared out. Some fans wait all year for their first sip, so even a short gap feels extra frustrating.
If history tells us anything, it’s that the eggnog shortage cycle is likely to repeat now and then, as long as it stays a holiday-only product and is made from perishable dairy.
What Shoppers and Producers Are Doing Now
Many shoppers have learned to stock up early—sometimes a little too early, judging by photos of eggnog appearing in September. Retailers, meanwhile, are betting on better forecasts and more nimble shipping to reduce stockouts.
Local producers continue to win loyal customers who appreciate both the taste and the reliability. In areas with stronger regional supply chains, shortfalls are less common.
And with more people open to homemade recipes or alternative “nogs,” the classic holiday drink is slowly adapting to the new grocery reality.
So, Should You Worry?
Right now, the eggnog shortage isn’t a year-round concern. It mostly comes and goes with the holidays, and most shoppers still find a carton if they’re willing to look around or try making it at home now and then.
If you’re reading this with a half-empty glass of nog and worrying about next year, just know that both stores and dairies are already thinking way ahead. For now, we’re seeing a classic seasonal supply challenge, not a permanent disappearance from the dairy aisle. Keep checking the shelves, ask around, and maybe give a homemade batch a try—after all, holiday traditions are meant to be enjoyed, not stressed over.
Also Read:
