Christmas loses its fizz

THE Christmas season could be a flat affair this year, as carbon dioxide used in producing popular fizzy drinks like Coca-Cola, Fanta and Sprite is in short supply.

The major supplier of carbon dioxide in South Africa, Afrox – which also supplies to Namibia – has been encountering problems which are foreseen to continue for some time. This also means a shortage of other soft drinks such as Fanta Grape, Fanta Pine, Sprite Zero and Tab.In a letter to its customers this week, Namibia’s leading producer of carbonated drinks, Namibia Beverages, explained the situation and warned of an impending shortage of cooldrinks.”We regret that as a result (of the carbon dioxide shortage), you may experience some difficulty in purchasing some of our carbonated soft drinks.With the festive season approaching, the situation may deteriorate significantly,” said Managing Director Frik Oosthuizen.According to the South African Press Association, shortages are expected to persist during November and December, but is expected to normalise by early January.Oosthuizen said the company still had “a fair amount” of stock, especially of the core brands Coke, Fanta and Sprite, but warned customers against stockpiling.”(T)o order unreasonably more than you need will deplete our stock and lead to supply problems to others.”This news will dampen the spirits of merrymakers who usually guzzle litres of soft drinks over the festive season.This also means a shortage of other soft drinks such as Fanta Grape, Fanta Pine, Sprite Zero and Tab.In a letter to its customers this week, Namibia’s leading producer of carbonated drinks, Namibia Beverages, explained the situation and warned of an impending shortage of cooldrinks.”We regret that as a result (of the carbon dioxide shortage), you may experience some difficulty in purchasing some of our carbonated soft drinks.With the festive season approaching, the situation may deteriorate significantly,” said Managing Director Frik Oosthuizen.According to the South African Press Association, shortages are expected to persist during November and December, but is expected to normalise by early January.Oosthuizen said the company still had “a fair amount” of stock, especially of the core brands Coke, Fanta and Sprite, but warned customers against stockpiling.”(T)o order unreasonably more than you need will deplete our stock and lead to supply problems to others.”This news will dampen the spirits of merrymakers who usually guzzle litres of soft drinks over the festive season.