Pass the pie: Canned pumpkin shortage is over

By SARAH SKIDMORE AP Food Industry Writer

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Pumpkin lovers can relax: A nearly yearlong shortage of the canned stuff is over.

That means an end to the hoarding, rationing and even pumpkin profiteering that has been going on since heavy rain ruined last year's harvest and caused a shortfall.

The country's top producer says this year's crop is healthy and cans are arriving in stores now.

Nestle says it planted extra pumpkin and planted early for its Libby's brand, which sells nearly all the canned pumpkin in the U.S. The company says weather is cooperating this season.

And it's coming just in time. An estimated 80 percent of the canned pumpkin market is sold in the last three months of the year.