When the coronavirus pandemic began its initial spread, international trade took an incredible blow. International trade disruption affected virtually every industry, not least the kratom industry. Shipping delays persisted throughout 2020 and continue to persist in 2021, and kratom suppliers still have a long road towards recovery ahead of them.
If you frequently use kratom, there is a lot of important information you should know about the kratom shortages in order to stay safe. Understand that decreased kratom availability may increase the prevalence of scams and low-quality products on the market, and learn what you can do to overcome these challenges as a regular kratom user.
Why kratom shortages are happening during COVID-19
Kratom is native to the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia. The vast majority of kratom produced in the world still comes from this region, as the hot, humid conditions and soil quality kratom requires are difficult and energy-intensive to reproduce in other regions of the world. This means that the entire global market is essentially dependent on just a few nations for its kratom supply, hence, international sea and air trade route disruptions quickly created a kratom shortage.
The disruption in international trade means regular users of kratom that live both inside and outside Southeast Asia have been experiencing major kratom shortages. More people around the world, particularly people in Europe and North America, are turning to kratom as a wellness supplement, and millions of people around the world may have been affected by this shortage.
Furthermore, at the onset of COVID-19 back in February 2020, vendors who anticipated the decrease in kratom availability stockpiled large amounts of kratom in order to prevent a potential loss of supply. (Yes, just like toilet paper.) However, due to the imposition of strict stay-at-home orders and shipping disruptions shortly thereafter, many vendors were unable to distribute the product they’d stockpiled. This, unsurprisingly, caused further market disruption.
Kratom shortages mean scams and low-quality products are likely to increase
Due to the kratom shortage, people whose regular supply of kratom has been interrupted will actively be searching for alternatives online. Additionally, people who purchased their kratom from in-person retail stores will also seek alternative purchase methods on the Internet. This means the market is ripe for scams and low-quality products to emerge to meet demand. To keep their profits up with the decreased kratom availability, unethical kratom manufacturers may also choose to cut their kratom with inactive plant materials or other adulterants.
As such, it is critical that you only purchase your kratom from a trusted supplier with thorough, third-party lab reports during this kratom shortage. Yes, you may experience a delay, but quality kratom is well-worth the wait, especially if it means avoiding potentially harmful substances in your product.
Looking to the future
The rise of kratom scams and improper kratom use in light of the kratom shortage means the government may be closely monitoring the kratom situation. Should any abuse of kratom be recorded at this time, officials may use the pandemic as an excuse to crack down on the import of kratom and like substances from Southeast Asia. You should not only be hyper-aware of scams in the kratom market, but also following the news regularly for updates.
With the vaccine distribution now well underway around the world, we are seeing a slow return towards normal market availability. It will be a while before the kratom availability completely returns to normal, but we are undoubtedly on the upswing.
Always trust a respected supplier with thorough lab testing
The best way to ensure your kratom is pure, safe, and free from additives and contaminants is by buying it from a trusted supplier who thoroughly lab tests each product. Lab testing should be done by a third party to avoid conflicts of interest, and each lab report should come with a detailed Certificate of Analysis (CoA) that lists every element and its quantity.
At Kratora, we’re committed to supplying our customers with only the finest-quality kratom and other ethnobotanicals, always from trusted suppliers. We’ve sourced our kratom from the same reliable suppliers since 2013, and we actively work to respect traditional cultivation and harvest methods to preserve the integrity of the plant.
Kratora has experienced supply disruptions since the pandemic began, but we are still actively selling and shipping kratom despite delays. We maintain an affordable shipping policy at the fastest possible speeds available, and our excellent customer service team is able to assist you with any inquiries you may have. We accept credit cards and cryptocurrency payments so you can pay at your best convenience.
Keep up with our blog and social media channels on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest updates on kratom availability.
Please note that the US FDA has not approved kratom to be sold for human consumption, sold for external use only. The statements in this article have not been evaluated by the FDA. None of the products sold on our website are intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition.
Want to learn more about kratom quality and value? Start here:
Why Buying Cheap Kratom Can Be Dangerous
