Sardine Shortage: Social Media Craze Meets Warming Seas

Why Can't You Find Canned Sardines?

Canned sardines are vanishing from supermarket shelves as a viral TikTok diet trend collides with climate-driven declines in sardine populations. The sardine-only fad, promoted by health influencers and embraced as a cheap Ozempic alternative, has sent demand soaring. Meanwhile, warming waters and overfishing protections, especially in key supplier Morocco, have cut catches by half, leaving suppliers unable to keep up. Experts warn the shortage may persist until ocean conditions stabilize.