Supply chain shortages impact every consumer and business imaginable, and  we’ve all seen what can happen when a shortage occurs, especially in the last few years. Remember the Great Toilet Paper Shortage of 2020?

Recently it’s been more common to experience a shortage of things that make other things, things like building materials, mechanical parts and plastics. The pond industry hasn’t been immune to the supply shortages, so if you’ve signed a contract for an installation in the last few months this could be why you’re still waiting to see parts of it, like Koi fish or certain plants, or maybe even a skimmer box.

Supply of and Demand for Ponds

The demand for Koi fish is at an all time high due to the colorful fish being a huge home improvement trend, and rightfully so! Koi ponds feel like a luxury aspect of any garden or backyard, something that provides lasting enjoyment with only minimal maintenance.

There are also  supply chain issues and shortages of a wide range of pond building materials, particularly plastics. Aquascapes, one of our suppliers, produces over 50% of products used domestically — which has been a huge benefit to us and many others. But even with this help, there’s still a shortage of many crucial materials for pond builders including PVC, skimmers, pavers, and maintenance equipment. These material shortages stretch out the timetables for Koi pond projects and even sadly raise the prices on necessary elements used in building Koi ponds.

Unexpected Disruptions

Some of the unexpected disruptors of supply chain functions are something simple, like running out of something that makes something else, or they could be more complex, like the COVID-19 lockdowns that shut down businesses of all kinds. 2021 and 2022 seemed to fair better for a while, until things like a shipping container getting stuck in the Suez Canal, weather-related disasters, and even geopolitical conflicts happening with overseas suppliers that can slow or halt the supply chain movement.

What This Means for You

All this to say, the pond market has been hit with a series of perfect storms. The reality is that FNC Ponds is working diligently to build and install each customer’s pond while making sure we maintain the excellent quality we’re known for. The supply chain problems are out of our control, and it’s a frustrating situation for everyone involved, but these obstacles aren’t something that will dissipate overnight. So whether you’re waiting for your dream pond, or you’re waiting for some new Koi fish pets, hang in there because the perfect backyard is something worth waiting for.  We also carry pond supplies on our web site.  Be sure to check it out!