Goodbye sparkling water? With half-empty supermarket shelves, it seems like going back in time when, in the midst of the pandemic, yeast and flour were more precious than oil. Reason? Mainly the lack of carbon dioxide which is used to create bubbles – a distribution process that has recently been too expensive -, but also i price increases of prices of fuel do not facilitate transport as well as drivers on strike. At risk are several brands of sparkling water (from Sant'Anna to Rocchetta, from Levissima to Dolomia up to the Biellese Lauretana). A situation common to both the larger bottles, of 1,5 litres, and the small ones, of half a litre.
Problems that affect carbonated drinks more generally, of which, however, at the moment, in supermarkets, there seems to be no shortage.
The war in Ukraine also affects the bubbly market
Tough times for bubble water lovers. The lack of sparkling water is one of the indirect consequences of the war in Ukraine, which has caused energy and raw material prices to soar by dumping on consumers' shopping carts. But to contribute too the heat wave which characterized an unusual summer of 2022 and caused a shortage of water at the sources. In fact, the segment of 500 ml formats has "exploded" precisely because of the high temperatures and consumption outside the home. The result? Cut production to avoid lower cost dynamics.
Sparkling water at risk: Sant'Anna's alarm a month ago
In reality, the alarm on the possible "famine" of carbonated water had already been raised a month ago by Alberto Bertone, president and managing director of Acqua Sant'Anna, European producer of oligomineral waters (about one and a half billion bottles a year). In light of the disproportionate increases in CO2 (from 2 to 20 euros per ton), the group had in fact decided to stop the production lines of carbonated products. “Co2 companies explain to us that they prefer to allocate production to the healthcare sector and so on carbonated water is in danger of running out: once the stocks in supermarket and discount stores run out, there will be no more bottles for sale”, Bertone alarmed. This, precisely, a month ago: thirty days later, the prophecy is coming true. “We thought it would last a month, now we don't see the light, 30% of production is stopped, we still have a few trucks here and there around Europe but lately we haven't found anything, hopefully for September”, continued Bertone.
And why is there a lack of carbon dioxide? “Because the costs for the energy to obtain it have grown so much that it is no longer worth producing – concludes Bertone – and at these tariffs there will unfortunately have to be a price increase”. Already by the end of the month (from 22 August, informs Emisfero) the distribution chain should restart. However, they assure the Pam of viale Trento that there have never been any disruptions: "We have sparkling water of various types, never had any problems".
The producers are now asking the State for help by proposing the blocking of energy costs. Otherwise "no bubbles, no party".
