How the Pandemic Has Caused a Shortage of Raw Materials

By Teagan Brown

SYRACUSE N.Y. – The COVID-19 pandemic has caused shortages in an abundant amount of products and materials. Although this causes issues for the public, there are shortages that have affected entire industries.

The shortage of raw materials, specifically lumber, has impacted the construction industry and their customers. With lumber prices increasing by 250% over the past year contractors and business owners have seen a significant change. 

JNV Construction owner Jake Laufer expressed what he has noticed 

“I was paying 8 dollars a sheet, you can go anywhere now and expect to for a 7/16 piece of cheap plywood 48 dollars a sheet” he said 

With the price of the material increasing, there will also be an impact on home buyers and builders. Building a home has increased from anywhere between 20,000 and 60,000 dollars. 

The past year has had people staying home, and in turn doing home projects. 

While the increase in demand for raw materials increased, the supply decreased with the temporary shutdown of production. 

Employees at commercialized material and building stores, such as Home Depot and Lowe’s, have experienced the anger from customers not wanting to pay a lot. 

Home Depot employee Gianna Lorini said people have to make a choice 

“They either don’t buy it or just suck it up and say alright I’ll do it.” She said 

It is unknown when or if the prices will decrease, but Jake Laufer does not see that happening for at least a year. 

“Everybody says it’s gonna go down, but unfortunately I don’t see it anytime soon”