Shortage of ‘gin and tonics’: Spanish bars do not find Seagrams and Beefeater

Spain is experiencing a general shortage of alcoholic beverages that come from the United Kingdom. Bars and venues are having serious trouble finding brands like Beefeater, Seagrams or Absolut and they are already looking for replacements for these products for their customers. This shortage not only affects these brands, but many gin, vodka or whiskey products are missing. In addition, many of the glass and cork receipts are failing.

With demand triggered by the relaxation of restrictions and the return of Spain to nightlife, the supply crisis is being responsible for these products not reaching the bars. Specifically, the different bottlenecks and problems with ports and maritime channels have resulted in an increase in the number of cost per ship of more than 300%. An increase in costs that has triggered alternative means of transport and has put the entire global supply system in check.

In Great Britain, this problem has also been worsened by the Brexit situation. Boris Johnson recently admitted the shortage of all kinds of products that his country lives and said that this could last until Christmas. The country has not only run out of gasoline, but many food products are missing on supermarket shelves such as meat or chicken.

Returning to Spain, the spirits employers’ association has recognized the stock break (which would last for more than two weeks), but assures that it is not a generalized phenomenon. Explain this phenomenon due to the global transportation crisis and in particular the case of the United Kingdom due to the consequences of Brexit. And, although they acknowledge an increase in Spanish consumption, they affirm that there is still a long way to go to return to 2019 levels.

According to statements collected by OkDiario from the nightlife employer, España de Noche, “the sector is surprised by this break of some major brands. We are having difficulties as some brands can no longer supply us. “From the association they hope that it is a temporary situation and that they will be able to offer these brands again soon, but the reality is that they do not know when normality will recover.

The bars, in full reopening, are turning to the supermarket to meet the demand for these products, with the extra cost of purchasing the products here instead of buying them from the company directly. On the other hand, they are also reaching agreements with Spanish spirits brands to fill the gap left by English firms.