ABC-7 Xtra examines the impact of supply-chain shortages in the Borderland

EL PASO, Texas -- Many may recall the toilet paper shortage many faced at the start of the pandemic. If you believe shortages may have been solved, those actually may be coming back to bite us in the pocket book.

Businesses across the nation are reporting supply-chain shortages, resulting in some grocery and department stores dealing with empty shelves.

The culprits are decreased manufacturing output, labor shortages and trucker shortages.

Reports are the trucking industry was short 60,000 drivers before the pandemic. Right now, according to ABC News, the trucker deficit is closer to 100,000, mostly due to truck schools closing during the pandemic and driver retirements.

Add to that, 40% of U.S. imports come through southern California ports, which right now are backlogged with shipping containers stuck in ports, or floating out in the ocean.

If you haven't seen empty shelves at stores you visit in the Borderland, experts say the issue could soon come to your neighborhood store.

In fact, Las Cruces Public Schools say they are having a hard time finding products, such as paper towels, and were forced to modify their cafeteria menu because some items have not been available due to shortages.

On top of all this, the holidays are just around the corner. Unless the issue is fixed, items for gifts you order may not be available for Christmas, leaving many with only the elf from previous holidays sitting on shelves.

On ABC-7 Sunday Xtra at 10:35 p.m., host Saul Saenz discusses issues surrounding supply chain shortages with UTEP economist Tom Fullerton, as well as Royal Jones, president and ceo of Messilla Valley Transportation in Las Cruces.