A major distributor of toilet paper brands said consumers who noticed in recent times that many brands were missing from the shelves will soon see the spots once again filled, as ships with much-needed raw material supplies are now here in Jamaica.

“There is no need to panic. There was a genuine paper shortage but it is now over; the ships are here,” the distributor who declined to be named said.

The head of the Jamaican company, which distributes 30 brands of toilet paper, said the industry has been affected by a shortage of raw material. He noted, however, that consumers did not need to engage in panic buying as the ships were arriving in port.

However, US-based financial news outlet Bloomberg reported this week that a squeeze in pulp supply might send tissue prices higher eventually.

The Jamaica Observer visited several supermarkets in Portmore and Kingston over the weekend and found only one brand of tissue.

Wayne Chen, CEO of the Superplus Food Stores, chain told the Business Observer, “[There are] raw material shortages so some popular brands are out. [It] seems to be a disruption related to the Chinese lockdown or increased demand overseas.”

In St Catherine some consumers complained about having to buy more expensive brands, and queried the absence of choices.

Meanwhile, shelves were filled with paper towels for which demand seems to be much less than the toilet product.

Pulp shortage may drive prices higher

Bloomberg reported on May 6, 2022 that pulp inventories have been falling around the world and may lead to higher prices of such essential items as tissue and toilet paper.

Bloomberg outlined, “Russia is an important source of wood for Europe, and this trade has been completely blocked since the invasion of Ukraine,” according to Suzano CEO Walter Schalka. Russian wood also lost global certifications. That means pulp producers in Europe, especially in Scandinavia, will have their production capacity curbed.”

The news source said that “the tight market of pulp, used to make packages, diapers and toilet paper, is another blow to consumers who have been struggling from rising prices for goods ranging from food to fuel”.

It was also noted that pulp supply in the first quarter of 2022 was affected by prolonged problems in sea logistics and disruptions in transportation, with workers’ strikes and delays on new projects.

China’s pulp, it was noted, has climbed 40 per cent in pricing year to date

JMEA highlights supply chain challenge

John Mahfood, president of the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA), told the Business Observer that regarding toilet tissue, “There have been shortages from time to time, but not all brands and not for extended periods of time.”

He stated, “It appears that the cause is a logistical one and is due to a shortage of container space to Jamaica. The shipping lines appear to be emphasising shipping to the US than to the smaller countries like ours.”

Audrey Hinchcliffe, CEO of Manpower and Maintenance which supplies numerous local companies and hospitals with paper for bathroom use, commented, “I am aware that there are shortages.”

Robert Francis, supply chain manager with Manpower and Maintenance, told the Business Observer, “Over the past two months there has been a shortage of raw material to produce toilet paper and other toiletries for the local manufacturers.

“This is due mainly to the war in Ukraine and the blockages placed on Russia — which has created a shortage of raw material which mostly comes from those countries and Turkey.”

Francis added, “This is creating a worldwide effect. The lockdown in China has also impacted the shortages.” Further, he noted, “The logistical problems experienced worldwide due to the pandemic [novel coronavirus have] also compounded the problem.”

Francis said because of all of this, “Prices have been increasing rapidly — as much as 40 per cent in some cases — and this may continue for at least another two months.”

Krishna Vaswani, managing director of tissue producer Quality Incorporations VII Ltd which supplies the Cuddles brand, said his factories remain unaffected and are producing, despite shortages and shipping line challenges that have been affecting the company “for two years straight”.

Vaswani asserted, “The port is not working properly, shipping lines are not working. What you need to investigate is what is happening at the ports, not manufacturers. The Government needs to get the ports functioning,” he stated.

One other manufacturer reported raw material challenges to a third party but did not supply the Business Observer with details.