- Chia Seeds Have Disappeared from Store Shelves in Guam!
- Why Are Chia Seeds Out of Stock in Guam?
- Where Can You Actually Find Chia Seeds? We Checked 4 Major Stores Near Tumon
- If You Need Chia Seeds Now, Go to Donki – But Hurry!
- Can’t Find Chia Seeds? Try These 3 Healthy Alternatives While You Wait
- Chia Seeds Are Still Available—Start With Donki First
Chia Seeds Have Disappeared from Store Shelves in Guam!
For the past month, I’ve been trying to buy chia seeds for my wife—without success.
She asked me to pick up a new pack about four weeks ago, so I headed to our go-to store: Pay-Less at Micronesia Mall. But when I got there, the staff told me they were out of stock.
I thought it might just be a short-term issue, so I checked again the next week… and the week after that. Still no chia seeds.
That’s when I decided to visit a few other stores around the island. I tried Pay-Less in Dededo, and later Happy Mart in Upper Tumon, hoping one of them might carry it.
Unfortunately, I got the same answer—or worse. Some stores simply don’t stock chia seeds at all.
It’s now been a full month, and we still haven’t been able to find a single pack. That’s what made me ask:
Why is this happening?
Why is something so simple suddenly so hard to find on Guam?
“No Restock Date” at Multiple Stores in Guam
Each store I visited gave me a similar response:
“We don’t have it, and we’re not sure when it will be back.”
At Pay-Less (Micronesia Mall), a staff member said they hadn’t had chia seeds in over a month. I even checked with customer service, but they couldn’t tell me when—or if—they were expecting more.
At the Dededo location, the situation was even more unclear. When I asked if they carried chia seeds, the employee said they had never seen them stocked there before, and a quick system check confirmed there was no listing in their inventory.
Happy Mart in Upper Tumon, which has a great selection of health foods like quinoa and flaxseeds, seemed promising. But when I asked, the staff told me they’ve never carried chia seeds at all.
Three major stores. Three dead ends.
It’s no longer just a coincidence—it’s a real island-wide shortage.
Why Are Chia Seeds Out of Stock in Guam?
After visiting several supermarkets in Tumon and finding no chia seeds anywhere, I began to seriously wonder:
Why are chia seeds suddenly out of stock all over Guam?
As someone working in the food service industry, and after doing some research online and checking global supply trends, I believe these three reasons could explain the shortage.
Why Is the Demand for Chia Seeds Growing Worldwide?
The demand for chia seeds is rising worldwide as more people focus on healthy, plant-based eating.
Chia seeds are rich in omega-3, fiber, and protein, supporting heart health and digestion.
At the same time, global production is growing, especially in countries like Paraguay, Argentina, and Bolivia, which are boosting exports to meet demand.
▶ Key Market Data:
| Item | Value / Growth |
|---|---|
| Global Market Size (2023) | $890 million |
| Projected Market Size (2030) | $2.2 billion |
| Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) | 13.9% |
| Paraguay Export Growth (3 years) | +150% |
| Key Drivers | Health trends, vegan diets, food industry demand |
In short, there is no global shortage.
The shortage in Guam is likely due to local shipping delays or missed orders, not worldwide supply problems.
🔗 References:
- MetaStat Insight: Chia Seeds Market Report
- Yahoo Finance: Chia Seed Market to Reach $7.38 Billion
- LinkedIn Pulse: Chia Seeds Market Advancements 2025
Shipping Delays Are Common in Guam
Anyone living on Guam knows that shipping delays happen regularly.
In my day job in the food service industry, I often hear updates like:
“Next shipment won’t arrive until next month.”
Especially for non-essential items like chia seeds, shipments may be delayed or postponed when containers are full of higher-priority goods.
If a supplier experiences logistical issues, or if a shipment is delayed at the mainland port, chia seeds can easily miss their shipping window and get bumped to the next cycle.
Chia seeds simply aren’t a top priority compared to staples like rice, canned goods, or milk.
Simple Ordering Oversights Can Happen
Another likely explanation is human error.
With thousands of items on a supermarket’s inventory list, niche products like chia seeds—especially if they sell slowly—can be overlooked during restocking.
In Guam’s smaller retail environment, where teams juggle multiple responsibilities, these kinds of mistakes are quite common.
🟢 Conclusion of This Section
Based on what I found, the chia seed shortage in Guam most likely comes down to:
- Regular shipping delays
- A missed or forgotten reorder by store staff
The idea of a global shortage doesn’t match the data, as worldwide supply is actually growing alongside demand.
In short, this seems to be a local supply chain hiccup, not a global crisis.
If supply routes normalize and reordering is handled, chia seeds should be back on Guam’s shelves soon.
Where Can You Actually Find Chia Seeds? We Checked 4 Major Stores Near Tumon
First, we confirmed the stock status at the following four major stores near Tumon:
Next, we visited each store to see the current situation firsthand.
① Pay-Less (Micronesia Mall) → Out of Stock
Our first stop was Pay-Less at Micronesia Mall, a store we often visit and where chia seeds used to be regularly available.
This time, the staff told us they have been out of chia seeds for over a month.
We also contacted their customer service, but they couldn’t provide any information about when new stock might arrive.
The shortage has lasted a long time, and the restock date remains unknown.
location
② Happy Mart (Upper Tumon) → Not Carried
Next, we visited Happy Mart in Upper Tumon, a large store with a good selection of health foods like quinoa and flaxseeds.
Even though there were plenty of other health foods like flaxseed and quinoa available, I couldn’t find any chia seeds at the store. Here the shelf that I found ↓↓↓
There are tons of healthy foods on these shelves, but no chia seeds.
Normally, you would expect to find chia seeds on this shelf—right next to other health foods like flaxseed and quinoa. However, in this store, there were none to be found.
When I asked a staff member, she simply said, “I’m sorry, we don’t have it.” She didn’t seem familiar with chia seeds, so I even showed her a photo. After checking with the manager, she confirmed that they don’t carry chia seeds at all. It seems that this store simply does not stock them.
location
③ Pay-Less (Dededo) → Out of Stock / Possibly Not Carried
We then went to the Pay-Less store in Dededo, located next to Paradise Gym.
I searched around inside Pay-Less and asked a staff member about chia seeds. She said she had never seen the product stocked there, but still directed me to a specific section. I checked the area carefully, but I couldn’t find any chia seeds. Normally, you’d expect to see them somewhere on these shelves, but there were none.
It seemed that the staff wasn’t very familiar with the product either. Just to be sure, she asked the manager, but I was told that they don’t carry chia seeds at all.
location
④ Don Quijote (Tumon) → In Stock (Limited)
Lastly, we visited Don Quijote in Tumon, where, surprisingly, we found a few packs of chia seeds in stock.
They were tucked away on the edge of the cereal aisle, and even the staff had trouble locating them at first.
Currently, as far as I know, Don Quijote is the only store on Guam where you can reliably purchase chia seeds, though supplies are very limited.
location
Summary of Chia Seeds Stock Situation
| Store Name | Location | Stock Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pay-Less (Micronesia Mall) | Tumon, Micronesia Mall | Out of Stock | No stock for over a month; restock date unknown |
| Happy Mart | Upper Tumon | Not Carried | Does not stock chia seeds |
| Pay-Less (Dededo) | Dededo | Out of Stock / Not Carried | Product not listed in inventory system |
| Don Quijote | Tumon | In Stock (Limited) | Few packs available, hidden in cereal aisle |
If You Need Chia Seeds Now, Go to Donki – But Hurry!
If you’re looking to buy chia seeds right now in Guam, Don Quijote(Village of Donki) in Tumon is your best—and possibly your only—option. During our recent check, Donki was the only store that still had chia seeds in stock, although the quantity was very limited.
Chia seeds at Donki are $8.99 as of July 2025.
The chia seeds are located in the oatmeal section, right next to the milk.
They are near the aisle where American potato chips like Lay’s are displayed.
This spot is across from the breakfast & pancake section, which features a large illustration of pancakes on the shelf.
Look for the big “American Grocery” banner hanging above that aisle—it’s a helpful landmark. The oatmeal section is near the flag.
The aisle itself is opposite the rice section, so once you find the rice, just cross the aisle and look carefully.
Here is the floor map of Donki
Because supplies are low, it’s important to act quickly before they run out again. When you visit, be sure to check carefully as the chia seeds can be somewhat hidden in this area.
Also, keep in mind that staff at Donki may not immediately know where the chia seeds are located, so don’t hesitate to ask and be patient while they search for you.
In short, if you want to get your hands on chia seeds in Guam right now, Don Quijote is the place to go—but hurry before the small stock disappears!
Can’t Find Chia Seeds? Try These 3 Healthy Alternatives While You Wait
If you’re struggling to find chia seeds in Guam right now, don’t worry—there are other nutritious options you can easily use in your daily diet. Here are three healthy alternatives that are widely available in most Tumon supermarkets:
Flaxseeds – Packed with Omega-3 and Fiber
Flaxseeds are an excellent substitute for chia seeds because they also contain a high amount of omega-3 fatty acids and dietary fiber, both essential for heart health and digestion.
You can sprinkle ground flaxseeds over yogurt, smoothies, or salads just like chia seeds.
Because they absorb liquid less than chia, it’s best to grind them before use for better digestion and nutrient absorption.
Flaxseeds are commonly stocked in stores like Happy Mart and Don Quijote.
I found Flex seed for $11.99 32oz at Happy Mart, as of July 2025.
Quinoa – Nutritious and Helps Keep You Full
Quinoa is a versatile grain that’s rich in protein, fiber, and various minerals. It’s also gluten-free, making it suitable for many diets.
Unlike chia or flaxseeds, quinoa needs to be cooked before eating, but it provides a satisfying texture and long-lasting fullness, which is great for weight management.
You can use quinoa in salads, breakfast bowls, or as a side dish.
Most supermarkets in Tumon carry quinoa in their health food or grain sections.
I found Quinoa for $10.99 at Payless dededo, as of July 2025.
Oats – Great for Digestion and Easy to Prepare
Oats are a classic, easy-to-prepare option packed with soluble fiber that supports digestive health and can help lower cholesterol.
They’re perfect for quick breakfasts, either as oatmeal or overnight oats, and can be combined with fruits, nuts, or seeds for added nutrition.
Oats are widely available and affordable, making them a convenient substitute while waiting for chia seeds to return to shelves.
You can find oats in almost every Tumon grocery store, including Pay-Less and Don Quijote.
By incorporating these alternatives into your meals, you can maintain a healthy diet even during the current chia seed shortage. Keep an eye out for restocks, but meanwhile, these options will keep you on track!
Chia Seeds Are Still Available—Start With Donki First
Don’t give up hope just yet! Although chia seed supplies are limited across Guam, Don Quijote in Tumon still has some stock available—for now.
If you want to get your hands on chia seeds, here are a few tips to increase your chances:
While the shortage continues, Don Quijote remains the most reliable place to find chia seeds on the island. Be proactive, and hopefully, you’ll find some before they disappear again!
