WASHINGTON - A canned pumpkin shortage could mean fewer pies this Thanksgiving.

There's no problem trying to find whole pumpkins but there may be problems finding canned pumpkin pie filling in stores in the D.C. Area. Some shoppers were worried about the possibility of not being able to buy canned pumpkin to use for pies for Thanksgiving.

For weeks, canned pumpkin pie was out of stock in some D.C. grocery stores but now you can see cans back on the shelves.

"It just not being there is something weird to think about," said shopper Brett Clancy.

Now there's a national shortage of canned pumpkin pie filling, a result of poor weather that reduced last year's crop. Libby's brand says it uses surpluses from the previous year to stock store shelves for September and October. But wet weather last year meant no surpluses for canners.

Libby's brand may cost you more this year. The company blames the price for steel for the cans and growing costs.

"I think I might have to pick up a can then, just in case," said shopper Helena Clancy.

Next year, there might be another pumpkin problem but the weather will dictate that.

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