The Pokémon trading card game (TCG) is experiencing a boom not seen since the hobby made it big in the late 90s and early 2000s, but this has come with the problem of stock shortages as everyone tries to scoop up the same products.

In a support page on the official Pokémon website an update is given about this situation ensuring fans that more is on the way.

“We’re aware that some fans are experiencing difficulties purchasing certain Pokémon Trading Card Game products due to very high demand and global shipping constraints impacting availability. We understand this inconvenience can be disappointing for fans, and we are working to address it where it is within our control,” the announcement reads.

“In situations where there is limited availability, we are actively working to print more of the impacted Pokémon TCG products as quickly as possible and at maximum capacity to support this increased demand. Reprinted products are expected to be available at retailers as soon as possible.”

While it’s not mentioned by name the cards that people are trying to get are likely from the Celebrations expansion. Launched this month, Celebrations is a special set meant to celebrate 25 years of Pokémon by reprinting fan favourites and offering new cards based on old mechanics and styles from years past.

Celebrations also differentiates itself by being what many refer to as a “mini set” which means that you can’t just go to the store and buy a single booster or two. Instead boosters of Celebrations are only available in more expensive packages with multiple boosters and other accessories included.

High demand and low supply of Pokémon cards has been a problem for most of the pandemic with promises of more printing made multiple times.

For those outside of the hobby this run on trading cards may seem odd, but it’s a perfect storm of factors. We recommend this video you can listen to as a podcast, but the short explanation is that people are stuck at home rediscovering old hobbies with excess money, several celebrities have become involved in the hobby and the pandemic has caused manufacture and delivery problems.

“For new Pokémon TCG expansions launching in the future, we are maximizing production to increase product availability upon release, and we will continue to reprint the products to replenish stock at retailers as soon as possible,” the announcement continues.

“We’d like to thank the community for their continued support and patience as we work to deliver more Pokémon TCG products to fans.”

As always we recommend against buying from scalpers who jack up prices and avoiding retailers who are similarly selling things way above their value.

In South Africa Celebration has been delayed into early and mid-November and may even be released later than that should problems persist. South Africans who want to get their hands on Celebrations without being taken for a ride will need to exercise some patience.