A cold snap and the recent upsurge in the popularity of solid-propellant boilers led to the pellet deficit.
The winter set in and many residents of the Canadian province New Brunswick encountered the difficulties in purchasing the pellets necessary for home heating, because retailers do not manage to replenish their trade stocks.
Randy Richards, Canadian Tyre Store Shop manager in Saint-John, announced that a lot of 100 sacks of pellets on sale, was snatched up literally in an hour. "It is a result of an increased demand. During the last two-three years we observed a rise in pellet boiler sales, people look for alternative ways of heating.", added sir Richards.
Mike Burchill, the resident of the province confronted this problem seven years ago. When supermarket shelves became empty he was compelled to borrow pellets from his friends but this year he was not caught unawares. "A few days ago I bought 10 sacks and I am convinced that it will be enough, but if to believe rumors there’s a strong possibility of the deficit", he said.
Mike O’Donnell, the president of Merwood Company which produces pellets in the province of Brunswick explains that the lack of pellets at the market is due to an insufficient amount of the raw material. Besides, the extreme cold of the past winter influenced an average annual temperature. "People have been buying pellets throughout summer and autumn. At present, when the severe frosts set in, we are not able to satisfy the demand for them. Nobody was prepared for that. As far as I know all the producers of the province summon up every ounce of strength in order to mend matters", said sir O’Donnell.
O’Donnell advises people to contact the local suppliers and wait for new deliveries.
