Coca-Cola has “temporarily paused” some production in the UK as signs emerge that a European shortage of CO₂ could threaten the soft drinks industry.

There had been warnings that the shortages could lead to a scarcity of beer, with Heineken saying it was “working with customers to minimise disruption” and the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) acknowledging that the shortage was beginning to affect beer production.

It is believed that a lack of supply – caused in part by maintenance at five major CO₂ plants in Europe – is to blame.

It comes at the worst possible time for the region’s beer and soft drinks sectors, with a heatwave across parts of Europe exacerbating problems caused by the onset of summer. A shortage of beer also threatens the FIFA World Cup in Russia.

In a prepared statement, Coca-Cola GB said: “We are currently responding to an industry-wide issue that is impacting the supply of CO₂ in the UK.”

It acknowledged that it was forced to halt production on some lines but has said the CO₂ shortage has not affected its ability to deliver customer orders.

“Our focus is on limiting the effect this may have on the availability of our products. During this time we temporarily paused some of our production lines for short periods, however, there has been no disruption to supply to date and we are continuing to fulfil orders to our customers.

“We are working closely with our suppliers, partners and customers on a number of solutions as the situation develops.”

The soft drinks giant had previously told FoodBev that it was working to minimise disruption before it had to pause production.

It marks the culmination of a torrid few months for the UK’s soft drinks industry after the government implemented its long-awaited and highly controversial sugar tax. There is still the prospect of future legislation, with TV and point-of-sale advertising both possible areas of scrutiny. This latest operational concerns will deepen those wounds.

Mark Jones, partner and food and drink supply chain expert at Gordons law firm, said: “The CO₂ shortage could not have come at a worse time, with the World Cup underway and the UK experiencing a heatwave, although increased demand as a consequence of the World Cup and warm weather have ironically contributed to the situation.

“But after the latest news that Coca-Cola is pausing production, Heineken saying production has been hit and Ocado limiting the supply of frozen food, the crisis is probably at its peak and should subside in early July.

“Some CO₂ producers are likely to be back up and running in the next few days and that should mean supply lines will re-open and the panic buying will subside. After all the concern, it looks as if the crisis many predicted will not materialise.”

Analysts had previously suggested that carbonated soft drinks might escape the brunt of the CO₂ shortage, but the sheer volume that Coca-Cola GB produces has negated that argument.

Coca-Cola GB is part of Coca-Cola European Partners, which makes roughly 2.5 billion cans of sparkling soft drinks every year.

Rabobank senior analyst Francois Sonneville had said: “Globally, we are seeing a reduction in sales of carbonated soft drinks like colas, with many of the largest firms instead of relying on the increasing popularity of carbonated water for growth.

“So we could be in a situation where the supply of these premium fizzy waters runs dry in shops and restaurants. Soft drinks giants would, therefore, feel the pinch in one of their most promising markets as health-conscious consumers move away from sugary products.”


SOURCE: https://brandspurng.com/coca-cola-halts-production-as-co2-shortage-affects-soft-drinks/

If there is shortage of coca-cola people should take fresh juice, if beer is scarce vodka is an option

No issue here, they could import from Africa.

Make them even give other newbie breathing space jare.... They have been hugging the whole place for generations!

First to comment

Navalsadiq:
First to comment

How?

Bad market is looming around.



check my SIGNATURE

.... This is serious

We breathe in oxygen and we breathe out carbondioxide. So why the shortage?

One of the secret ingredients revealed... We are waiting for the shortages of other ingredients

rubbish

will the dead in plateau care ?






this is what a buhari supporters typed here on nairaland.
We know how these people support the killings of defenceless civilians and gloat in it just like buhari.

Very soon coke will be scarce in the market and dey will want to sell a bottle for #300...I wonder if it is by force to drink all this health killing drinks

Team ZOBO

They should pay Donjazzy's family to supply Co2 for them

Seriously, CO2 gas shortage?

Thought they produce that themselves

The formula or ingredients for producing coca- cola is gradually coming to the fore.

I no dey like nonsense, make una better find solution, I no dey use beer joke

Everything is just struggling to survive in Buhari government.What manner of man is this?

Good opportunity for Pepsi and the rest of them.

K

It will never affect Nigeria Coke cos the composition is different water sugar and coloring.

israelmao:
Everything is just struggling to survive in Buhari government.What manner of man is this?

Even when the.news said it is in the UK. Bros dey try read well before u comment

The CO² is the ingredient that makes most drink fizzy but good news, we aren't having any shortages.

[quote author=DSDLIVEREPORT post=68862131]
Even when the.news said it is in the UK. Bristol dry try read well before u comment [/quote

I have read it but that notwithstanding things are spiralling out of control in our country,I felt sorry how woman and children are being slaughtered like cows and we say we have a responsible government.

Badb0y4lyf:
It will never affect Nigeria Coke cos the composition is different water sugar and coloring.

All fizzy drinks use CO2, including Nigerian Coke. Even the sparkling flavored water use CO2.

salbis:
The formula or ingredients for producing coca- cola is gradually coming to the fore.

...who doesn't know that coke contains CO2

All things work together for good...

israelmao:
Everything is just struggling to survive in Buhari government.What manner of man is this?

Did you read the write up?

poseidon12:


All fizzy drinks use CO2, including Nigerian Coke. Even the sparkling flavored water use CO2.

You won’t understand till you drink coke aboard even cotonue coke is different thicker less sugary and has the coke flavor not this rubbish we call coke.

encryptjay:

Did you read the write up?

Yes I did and I also understood it,that the shortage stemmed from their suppliers.I just want to use every available means to say we need a responsive and responsible government to put in place water-tight security system in Nigeria because these killings are getting horrendous.