McDonald’s Korea is currently experiencing a shortage of french fries, marking the third instance since the pandemic began.
This shortage is due to unexpected issues within the supply chain, leading to a temporary inability to provide french fries to customers. The company has announced that they will resume selling french fries in a phased manner starting this week, although the exact dates vary by region.
The root cause of this shortage lies in the reliance of McDonald’s Korea on U.S.-based Lamb Weston for potatoes, unlike McDonald’s in the U.S. and other brands that have diversified their supplier base. While major fast-food chains in Korea import frozen fries primarily from the United States, other fast-food brands in the region have not faced similar supply disruptions.
Industry experts point out that global logistics disruptions during the pandemic have affected the availability of frozen potatoes, particularly in major U.S. potato-growing regions. However, this year has seen a bountiful potato harvest in the U.S., leading to stable supply conditions for most regions.
McDonald’s Korea attributed the current shortage to quality issues with U.S. frozen potatoes, which did not meet the company’s standards. This proactive decision to halt product distribution highlights the challenges of relying on a single supplier for essential ingredients like frozen potatoes.
The situation is compounded by rising sea and air freight costs, making it challenging for McDonald’s Korea to secure a stable supply of low-cost items like frozen potatoes. Unlike other fast-food chains with a broader supplier network, McDonald’s Korea’s limited number of stores and global standards imposed by headquarters make it difficult to independently change suppliers.
In conclusion, McDonald’s Korea’s french fry shortage underscores the complexities of supply chain management in the fast-food industry, emphasizing the importance of diversification and proactive quality control measures to ensure uninterrupted service to customers.