Johannesburg, Gauteng: The Bubble Tea Shop Online (BTSO), South Africa’s largest supplier of bubble tea, today informed their customers that they were expecting to run out of bubble tea supplies before their next shipment arrives in mid-May. This is due to a worldwide bubble tea shortage brought on by a perfect storm of unfortunate events that lead to global supply chain issues.

The supply chain issues stem from a backlog of orders being placed for bubble tea supplies when nations started lifting restrictions brought on by the global pandemic. This massive influx of orders to East Asia, where 99% of bubble tea comes from (BTSO imports directly from Taiwan, the home of Bubble Tea), coupled with the Chinese New Year’s in February, started the bottle neck that exceeded bubble tea manufacturers capacity to produce.

The bubble tea manufacturers started working overtime to meet the backlog of orders when the global shipping industry was hit with its own crisis when a container ship was stranded in the Suez Canal (30% of the worlds shipping container volume passes through the canal) causing a backlog in shipping containers and vessels. Although this backlog may continue for months, thankfully BTSO’s shipment is on its way; albeit being delayed by 6- 8 weeks.

Bubble Tea Shop Online has urged patience and understanding on their social media accounts, saying, "Don't be mad at bubble tea shops for running out, it’s not their fault".

What is Bubble Tea?

Bubble Tea, sometimes called boba tea, is a tea-based drink originating from Taiwan. Originally a sweet milky tea with tapioca pearls sucked up through a fat straw, some bubble tea drinks do not contain any tea at all nowadays, a contentious point for many a bubble tea purist. The common thread that seems to hold bubble tea together as a drink these days are the delicious toppings.

About BTSO: Bubble Tea Shop Online is South Africa’s leading supplier of bubble tea ingredients and niche drink products. www.bubbleteashoponline.co.za