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When Will The Boba Tea Shortage End?

The “bubbles” in the wildly popular bubble — or boba — teas are becoming harder to get.

What’s causing the shortage?

Much like computer chips and Heinz ketchup packets, it’s a supply chain issue that’s affecting the arrival of the tapioca from Taiwan. According to the U.S. Boba Co., 99% of boba comes from overseas.

Business Insider talked to Oliver Yoon, the vice president of sales and global marketing for Boba Direct, a Chicago-based supplier of bubble tea products. He said the shortage is likely to last through the rest of April.

It's unclear whether boba supplies will be restored by April 30 — National Bubble Tea Day.

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Mark Brodie is a co-host of The Show, KJZZ’s locally produced news magazine. Since starting at KJZZ in 2002, Brodie has been a host, reporter and producer, including several years covering the Arizona Legislature, based at the Capitol.