Heat: Bottled water fillers feel "logistical bottleneck"
In June and July, it was as hot as never before in Western Europe, including Germany. The heat is also affecting the beverage industry.
Mineralwasser-Abfüller are facing a "logistic bottleneck" due to increased demand caused by the heatwave, the spokeswoman for the German Association of Mineral Springs (VDM) in Bonn has said. Since the end of June, there has been a persistent shortage of bottles and crates, she explained. People are currently drinking more mineral water than usual, leading to more returns of empty bottles and crates, causing a "small backlog."
However, the association does not believe there is a supply shortage. At most, certain brands might not be available for a brief period. Wholesale distributors report that demand, particularly for non-alcoholic beverages, has risen significantly. The German Association of Beverage Wholesale Distributors (BV GFGH) in Düsseldorf also confirms that there are no supply issues.
Members had prepared for the summer and increased their stock in advance. "The biggest challenge is rather to manage the increased logistics of goods movement," said the BV GFGH spokesperson. Returning empty containers to the cycle as quickly as possible is crucial. The German Brewers' Association, representing major breweries and several regional associations in Berlin, sees no need for action. They confirm that the supply of empty containers is secure and no bottlenecks are known.
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