No Lulavim from Egypt

My lulavim I bought this year were an extra cost over the price of the Etrog - something that had never occurred before in Chicago (as long as I can remember). The seller told me that it was because of the shortage created due to the lulav export ban from Egypt. The Chicago Jewish News had an article about the extra charge too.

Egypt not celebrating Sukkot [and hindering others from doing so to boot]? Where have I heard that before???

Oh, yeah!