Noun. A perceived shortage of a given item due to hoarding and disruption of local supply logistics rather than an actual diminished supply of the item.
Perceptions of a gas shortage following news of the pipeline closure created a temporary hoartage of gasoline along the Southeast U.S. The surge to all fill up their tanks at the same time created a temporary disruption of local availability despite ample overall supply in the U.S. It was reminiscent of the toilet paper hoartage created by panicked buying early during the Covid-19 pandemic.
by zookdoc May 13, 2021