Nationwide shortage of popular grocery buy sparks confusion, dismay: ‘Gone as well’

Australia is currently grappling with a nationwide shortage that's leaving supermarket shelves bare and customers scrambling.

The culprit? A critical ingredient shortage is impacting the supply of a popular item—soft drinks.



The shortage is particularly affecting home-brand soda water and lemonade, with about 20 Woolworths-brand soft drinks also impacted.

This has left soft drink lovers across the country facing sparse options at the supermarket, and supermarkets themselves are hard-pressed to substitute affected ranges.


shutterstock_1430170799.jpg
Supermarkets are grappling with a sparse supply of soft drinks. Image source: Shutterstock



A Woolworths spokesperson confirmed that shortages of carbon dioxide (CO2)—a critical ingredient in the production of soft drinks—had impacted the supply.

'We are working to manage these impacts, and a number of alternative products are available to customers while these shortages continue,' the spokesperson said.



The shortage has sparked confusion and dismay among consumers, with some taking to social media to express their frustration at not being able to find their go-to drink.

Some have even questioned whether Woolworths and Coles had discontinued their home-brand range.

A Newcastle-based shopper shared their experience, saying they usually buy LA Ice, Que or home-brand no-sugar colas but these have been 'missing' from the shelf.

'I managed to find the final stock of generic cola after checking ALDI, but now that is gone as well,' they said.

It is understood that Coles is closely monitoring the situation and working with suppliers to minimise impacts on customers.

The CO2 shortage is not just affecting supermarkets. It's also impacting the entire domestic CO2 market in Australia, which is supplied by just two companies.

One of these, British multinational BOC, confirmed it was 'managing a CO2 supply situation'.

A company spokesperson stated: ‘Product has been imported to bridge the supply gap however, due to many current issues impacting international freight, supply has been impacted except for critical medical, safety and water treatment customers.’



The Australia New Zealand Industrial Gas Association (ANZIGA), the industry body representing industrial gas companies, warned of a 'fragile' supply chain back in July 2023.

This has led to suppliers prioritising CO2 to 'critical medical, safety, animal welfare and water customers'.

The shortage is largely due to unplanned outages at several production facilities in the CO2 supply chain.

‘CO2 is captured, purified, and liquefied from a limited number of natural sources or exhaust as a by-product of other processes. It is distributed by industrial gas companies as a cold liquid in specialised assets or as a compressed gas,’ ANZIGA’s July 2023 statement read.

'Unfortunately, these sources close intermittently, creating local… national, [or] even international shortages of products. These issues have been heightened by the closure or reduction of capacity of some sources,' it said.

The good news is that the beer supply will be unaffected, as major brewers capture CO2 produced during fermentation to carbonate their beverages.

An Asahi/Carlton United Breweries spokesperson confirmed they have 'adequate supply of CO2 to meet production requirements'.

Both Coles and Woolworths did not mention a timeline for supply issues to be resolved.

However, ANZIGA's statement indicated that additional processing facilities in Victoria may become operational in 2024, potentially mitigating the impact.
Key Takeaways
  • A shortage of carbon dioxide (CO2) is impacting the supply of soft drinks at Australian supermarkets, affecting home-brand sodas and lemonades.
  • Woolworths has acknowledged the issue and is offering alternative products while they work to manage the shortage.
  • The supply chain for CO2 is described as 'fragile', and suppliers are prioritising its use for critical services, leading to sparse supermarket shelves for certain beverages.
  • Additional CO2 processing facilities are expected to become operational in Victoria in 2024, which may help alleviate the shortage.
What do you think about this situation, members? Have you noticed the shortage in your local supermarket? Let us know in the comments below.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ezzy
Sponsored
Yes noticed the lack of choice at the supermarket. Yet the big guys are on the shelf at huge prices
 
Soft Drinks are the Scourge of Modern Society ,they have no nutritional benefits to Ones Health ,they are full of hollow Calories full of Sugars etc contributing to the Obesity epidemic and Metobolic Disease. People need to get back to drinking Water instead of these Teeth Rotters
 
Soft Drinks are the Scourge of Modern Society ,they have no nutritional benefits to Ones Health ,they are full of hollow Calories full of Sugars etc contributing to the Obesity epidemic and Metobolic Disease. People need to get back to drinking Water instead of these Teeth Rotters
Seeing we have made it to our “senior” years (some more senior than others) I think we can relax a little and not be so uptight. Everything in moderation
 
Products disappear off shelves for a reason............they comeback smaller in size but cost more.
 
Noticed plenty in my Woolworths store at Miami (WA) this morning. Would not know there was a shortage at all. Personally I don't buy softdrinks so not concerned.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DLHM
It's not just soft drinks, a number of canned vegetables from well known companies have disappeared and are being replace by Coles/Woolies home brand and most of the products are from China. Just found the Coles home brand tins of beetroot on the shelf where the Golden Circle beetroot use to be... product of China and not cheap either..... they are doing whatever they like, the Gov. Agencies who are responsible for looking after the Australian consumer are fast asleep, non-functioning and a waste of public money and it will get worse.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rhondda@Benji
When I was a kid, Dad purchased 12 bottles of soft drink in a wooden crate on Christmas eve. Those soft drinks lasted all the school holidays for a family of 6. That was the only soft drink purchased all year. It was a treat.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rhondda@Benji
Expect a huge price increase.... they keep the product off the shelf for 3 weeks, the psychological period, before they jack up the prices. Let's wait and see....
 
No mineral water on the shelves at Coles or Woolies Innisfail.
Gonna have to find something else to have in my wine now. Can't drink it straight, bit of a lightweight.😝
 
  • Like
Reactions: Veggiepatch
Empty shelves are in every store at the moment. Coles, WW Aldi Foodworks, Drakes and IGA. I thought it must have something to do with the bushfires and floods down south. So now we know.
 
Well, as usual, the planning, forecasting and logistics of the shortage fall short of the mark.... unbelievable!!!!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: LeahI
Seeing we have made it to our “senior” years (some more senior than others) I think we can relax a little and not be so uptight. Everything in moderation
As a Senior Nurse, l will always take a stand against the push by the Multinationals pushing these unhealthy Products ,causing massive Health issues especially amongst Our Young ,Diabetes 2 is now Epidemic along with many Other diseases caused by these types of Beverages ie Cancer Peripheral Neuropathy etc etc
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wandiwa
Soft Drinks are unhealthy products leading to diabetes and obesity, so should left off the shelves permamently - at least the government should double the tax on them.
 
As a Senior Nurse, l will always take a stand against the push by the Multinationals pushing these unhealthy Products ,causing massive Health issues especially amongst Our Young ,Diabetes 2 is now Epidemic along with many Other diseases caused by these types of Beverages ie Cancer Peripheral Neuropathy etc etc
Full of sugar which is more addictive the cocaine and kills you slowly.....
 

Join the conversation

News, deals, games, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.

Seniors Discount Club

The SDC searches for the best deals, discounts, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.
  1. New members
  2. Jokes & fun
  3. Photography
  4. Nostalgia / Yesterday's Australia
  5. Food and Lifestyle
  6. Money Saving Hacks
  7. Offtopic / Everything else

Latest Articles

  • We believe that retirement should be a time to relax and enjoy life, not worry about money. That's why we're here to help our members make the most of their retirement years. If you're over 60 and looking for ways to save money, connect with others, and have a laugh, we’d love to have you aboard.
  • Advertise with us

User Menu

Enjoyed Reading our Story?

  • Share this forum to your loved ones.
Change Weather Postcode×
Change Petrol Postcode×