Missouri retailers and grocers are facing a new challenge after President Trump halted penny production in June.

Dan Shaul, President of the Missouri Grocers Association told Missourinet that experts thought the penny wouldn’t be missed until the second quarter of 2026.

“They missed it by a couple of quarters because there is now a shortage of pennies, and we’ve been working with the Bankers Association trying to figure out how we can alleviate the problem,” said Shaul. “There’s estimated over a billion dollars worth of pennies out there, but most of us have them sitting in a bucket somewhere in the house. Then they’re not in circulation. So, there is a problem.”

Shaul said grocers and retailers are feeling the impact now.

“Pennies right now in certain parts of the state, certainly par

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