By Staff Reporter
Beer lovers can finally breathe a sigh of relief!
After months of frustration, empty shelves and soaring prices, beverage giant Delta Corporation says help is on the way as it moves to end the nationwide shortage of popular lager quarts that has left many consumers scrambling for their favourite brands.
The brewer has pumped a whopping US$35 million into expanding its operations in Harare and Bulawayo, with new production lines expected to start rolling out more beer this month.
The shortages have hit some of Zimbabwe’s most sought-after brands, including Carling Black Label, Castle Lager quarts and selected Zambezi Lager products, sparking complaints from consumers and forcing some retailers to charge above recommended prices.
In some outlets, the price of a brown quart has climbed from the official US$1,50 to as much as US$1,75, as demand continued to outstrip supply.
Speaking during Delta’s half-year analyst briefing in Harare, finance director Alex Makamure said the company was close to completing its expansion programme and had already begun producing beer from the new facilities.
“We are starting to get brews out of it,” said Makamure, expressing confidence that the new capacity would finally bring production levels in line with demand.
According to the company, Harare will benefit from increased beer output, while Bulawayo will receive expanded brewing facilities and a new packaging line.
The shortage has not been caused by a collapse in production, but by a surge in demand that has caught the company off guard.
Makamure revealed that beer volumes are running about 20 percent higher than last year, creating unprecedented pressure on production facilities.
The situation became worse because Delta could not build up reserves during the winter months, a period traditionally used to prepare for the busy festive season.
“Demand has been consistently high throughout the year,” he said.
That growing thirst for beer has been driven by improved consumer spending, increased liquidity from the tobacco and mining sectors, stable prices and what the company described as improving economic conditions.
The demand has become so intense that Delta has had to import premium brands such as Castle Lite, Corona and Stella Artois to supplement local supplies.
Beer drinkers, particularly fans of the ever-popular Carling Black Label quart, have been among the most vocal over the shortages, with many liquor outlets frequently running out of stock.
But the company insists that relief is now in sight.
With the new facilities coming online, Delta expects to restore normal supplies and ensure that consumers can once again find their favourite beverages without paying inflated prices.
