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Helium Shortage Inflates Balloon Prices

Story Published: Jun 17, 2012 at 7:41 PM EDT

Story Updated: Jun 17, 2012 at 7:41 PM EDT

High school graduation season is upon us, and that means it's peak season for party stores' balloon sales.

But this year, a worldwide shortage of helium, is driving the cost of those balloons sky high.

With the gas in short supply, helium prices have inflated up to 40 percent. Places like Party Rentals in Watertown have had to pass that cost on to their customers.

The price for a single balloon there is $1.50 - up from 90 cents a few months ago.

It's unclear when more helium will become available, so party stores and distributors alike are having to adjust their business accordingly.

"You have to regulate what you have, what you think you're going to have, what you do have," said Brian McDonald, store manager at Haun Welding in Pamelia.

"And as far as new business, we have to, at times, turn people away," he said.

"All our existing orders we have, we're fulfilling them, and its first come first serve for anybody else," said Party Rentals owner Lorrie McFarland.

"But I can't rent the tanks out anymore because we've got to keep it here for our customers," she added.

Local businesses have been told by suppliers that the helium shortage could ease by the end of the summer.

It's unclear whether prices will return to normal levels at that point.

 
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
, Watertown, NY

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