The ongoing ZYN shortage is proof that a company can be a victim of its own success. Demand for the brand’s pouches has steadily increased over the last few years, and since May 2024, many US states have been struggling to replenish their stock levels — especially for the most popular flavors.
This post will shed some light on the situation and offers suggestions for obtaining ZYN pouches (or a suitable alternative).
Prilla has implemented a temporary purchasing restriction to help distribute fairly, which will remain in place until the supply chain returns to normal. Plus, with the brand’s parent company announcing it will build a new production facility, we can all rest assured the shortage won’t last forever.
Key Takeaways:
- The ZYN shortage is due to the sharp spike in demand and supply chain pressures.
- ZYN’s manufacturer has announced plans to increase production and build a new factory.
- Rumors about the lack of supply being due to a ban or fire are false.
- Prilla has implemented a temporary purchasing restriction on ZYNs.
- The best ways to buy ZYN are to shop online and try less popular flavors, but there are also many alternative brands with similar products.
Why Is There a ZYN Shortage?
On 17 May 2024, Bloomberg reported that various retailers and wholesalers were out of ZYN stock.
Meanwhile, many users took to social media to express concerns, terming the event a "Zyndemic". Despite some online rumors suggesting otherwise, there’s no evidence the issues are due to anything other than unprecedented demand.
Earlier in the year, the CFO of Philip Morris International (PMI) — which owns the ZYN brand — commented that the demand was “creating some tensions on the supply chain.” This massive surge in popularity is partly driven by “Zynfluencers” and the brand’s appearances in the media and politics.
The numbers say it all. In April 2024, PMI reported shipping 131.6 million cans in the US alone in the first quarter of 2024 — an 80% increase compared to the first quarter of 2023.
Then, when PMI released its quarterly results in late October, its revenue and earnings per share both reached quarterly records, resulting in the firm’s stock value reaching all-time highs.
There’s no need for a conspiracy theory to explain the shortage — people just really, really like ZYN right now. Once manufacturers ramp up production accordingly, the stock level will return to normal, so there’s no need to worry about these products disappearing forever!
When Will the ZYN Shortage End?
PMI has already increased its production. In late July 2024, the firm increased its sales forecast, predicting it will sell 580 million cans in 2024 (compared to 385 million units in 2023). However, it needs to ramp up its manufacturing even further to match demand and replenish stock levels.
Fortunately, PMI has now made concrete plans for how it will achieve this.
All manufacturing currently takes place at a factory in Owensboro, Kentucky. Spokesman Travis Parman revealed that the company has adjusted its processes to boost production here, saying: “The actions that we’ve taken have already started to ease the squeeze.”
This involves an investment of $232 million from a Swedish Match affiliate to boost production.
Even better, on July 16 2024, the firm announced it will invest $600 million into building a new manufacturing facility in Aurora, Colorado.
PMI says it plans to start preliminary operations in Aurora by late 2025 and regular production in 2026. This is expected to increase ZYN production capacity to 900 million cans per year.
Is There ZYN Stock On Prilla?
Prilla is working hard to maintain healthy stock levels of our customers’ favorite ZYN products.
This includes popular options like:
To ensure everyone has the same access to products and avoid running down our supply, we have a temporary purchasing restriction in place.
Current Purchasing Restriction: 30 cans every 30 days per customer.
(Page last updated on November 11th 2024)
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How Long Will the Purchasing Restriction Last?
Nobody knows when supplies will return to normal, so we can’t guarantee that we will remove the purchasing restriction on a fixed date.
But we can guarantee that we’ll keep you in the loop and increase the restriction (or remove it) as soon as possible. We’re in close communication with the brand and doing what we can to meet our customers’ needs.
How to Get ZYN Amid the Shortage
Just because there’s an ongoing shortage right now, it doesn’t mean it’s impossible to obtain ZYN. Below, we’ve listed the best options for concerned customers.
Seek out Alternatives
ZYN is one brand of many that sells nicotine pouches (a type of tobacco-free product that contains nicotine in sachets for oral consumption). On social media, nicotine pouches are sometimes referred to as “upper deckies.”
Thanks to the brand’s popularity, many consumers now associate nicotine pouches solely with ZYN, similar to how most people associate clear adhesive tape solely with Scotch Tape. But there are many other brands available — and many of them have enjoyed an increased market share since the ZYN shortage began.
We’ve compiled a guide to our favorite ZYN alternatives.
Some are also using the shortage as a chance to try out nicotine-free pouches, such as those that use caffeine as a replacement (“caffeine upper deckies”).
These are the same shape and texture as nicotine pouches, and often contain flavorings — but because of the lack of nicotine, the “buzz” provided is more similar to a coffee or energy drink. Some brands include:
- Grinds
- Mojo
- Berserker
- NECTR
We don’t yet offer caffeine or nicotine-free pouches on Prilla, but watch this space!
Stock Up
Since many retailers are out of ZYN completely or have imposed restrictions, it makes sense to stock up on when presented with the opportunity.
Still, there’s no need to start stockpiling like crazy, especially if it means paying over the odds or purchasing from questionable sources (there are a few dupes on the markets).
Nicotine pouches don’t expire for at least six months, and they can even be frozen.
Look Outside of Local Stores
The shortage appears to have affected physical stores the most, especially gas stations. This is likely due to their low stock levels compared to specialist or online retailers.
So, consumers shouldn’t panic if their local store has been out of ZYN for a while. Most online stores still have stock, including Prilla — and we’re managing our supplies carefully to ensure this won’t change any time soon.
Consider Less Popular Flavors
If buying in-store, the current shortage is most pronounced with certain flavors.
On social media, some users reported that their local shops were only running short on certain products, while others were more readily available.
Now could be the time to experiment with a new taste profile. Who knows — a temporary replacement could become a new favorite product!
FAQS
Was There a ZYN Shortage Fire?
Some have blamed the shortage on a fire at a manufacturing plant. However, this appears to be a case of misinformation.
It’s true there was a fire at the Swedish Match factory in Gothenburg, Sweden, which manufactures ZYN for the European market. However, all pouches for the US market are produced in Kentucky. There’s no evidence of a fire taking place at the Kentucky plant.
Is There a ZYN Ban?
There has also been speculation that the shortage is due to an upcoming ban.
This theory emerged because some political actors have involved ZYN in their campaigns, such as Senator Charles Schumer.
However, there’s nothing to suggest a ban is impending.
How Can I Get ZYN Shortage Updates?
We update this page whenever there’s an update on the situation. Prilla was one of the first retailer sites to report on the shortage, and we’re monitoring everything closely to pass on information from the press and Philip Morris International.
What Does the Shortage Mean for Other Brands?
Currently, alternative brands are one of the top solutions for pouch users looking to get their ZYN fill. But as more people do this, it will drive up demand for those other brands — meaning that further supply issues could be in the cards in the future.
However, this will depend on how many consumers turn to the same products.
Considering the ever-increasing demand for nicotine pouches, the potential profit could also incentivize more brands to enter the market. For instance, Tucker Carlson recently unveiled plans to launch a nicotine brand called Alp.
The Bottom Line? Don’t Worry
Nobody wants to hear their favorite product is in short supply, but there’s no need to panic. ZYN’s manufacturer is doing everything it can to increase production, including building an additional factory. For now, consumers can still purchase ZYN on Prilla, turn to other nicotine pouch brands, or consider alternative flavors.
