So where is the problem? The rate of the mining? The efficiency? I would assume that helium baloons wouldn't be the culprit in a shortage because they'll be the first to go in a shortage. I assumed it was because the money made from helium baloons is responsible for higher rates of helium mining.

I'm genuinely not going to know what you think the actual problem is if you don't tell me. I promise I tried looking it up before responding.

Edit: I hadn't thought about purity requirements. Helium baloons do require significantly lower purity than medical uses. So how that lower grade stuff is treated as a whole is the part to consider, rather than helium baloon revenue.