Last Month’s Floods in B.C. Have Caused a Fry Shortage at McDonald's in Japan

McDonald's Japan has announced a fry shortage in the country because of supply chain issues and the damage caused by the B.C. floods, as well as COVID-19.

An employee fills carton with McDonald's French fries.
Image via Getty/Matthias Balk/picture alliance
An employee fills carton with McDonald's French fries.

The record-breaking November flooding that left parts of British Columbia completely underwater and caused catastrophic damage to homes, businesses, and roadways are now messing with the McDonald’s menu on the other side of the world. 

This week, McD’s Japan CEO Tamotsu Hiiro announced a fry shortage in the country because of supply chain issues and the damage caused by the B.C. floods, as well as the ongoing pandemic. As a result, the company said that it will be rationing its fries until Dec. 30.

McDonald’s Japan buys the majority of its potatoes from North America and then ships the starchy vegetables on boats via a port in Vancouver.

“While it is difficult to procure raw materials in a stable manner, we have cooperated with importers and suppliers to proactively take alternative measures such as arranging airmail,” Hiiro explained in a press release, indicating potatoes could be flown into the island nation in order to mitigate Fry-magedon 2021. Shit is real. 

In order to curb utter disappointment across the country, McDonald’s Japan will only sell small-sized fries from now until the end of the year in order to allow “many customers will continue to enjoy [fries] without interruption,” as the company puts it.

 

We’ve never had it, but it’s safe to assume the Teriyaki Chicken Filet-O sandwich—a fried chicken sammy doused in teriyaki sauce that’s a special menu item in Japan—def wouldn’t be the same without the classic side. Much like the Big Mac. What are you supposed to wipe up the excess sauce with if not french fries? 

McDonald’s Japan has issued an apology to its customers for any inconvenience this fry shortage will cause. 

Stay strong, Japan. 

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