South Africa’s largest cider exporter Savanna switch to aluminium cans due to severe glass shortage

On 24^th February 2022, Richard Rushton, the Chief Executive Officer of Distell, a global business with roots in South Africa, the leading cider exporter of the nation and the third-largest cider brand in the world, Savanna Dry delivered its preliminary unplanned reaction in regards to the beverage being sold in aluminium cans has remained optimistic.

Since its launch, the cider brand’s beverage has been sold in bottles, but Distell which also owns brands like Hunter’s and Klipdrift, has been stumbling with an acute dearth of glass supply in South Africa, which compelled it to adapt aluminium cans.

The supplies of glass have been a setback in South Africa since 2021 when large glass producers were forced to shut their furnaces due to pandemic lockdown and amid alcohol sales bans.

Distell said, “Global shipping disruptions have compounded shortages in glass, aluminium and corks, which is hitting its production.”

“Strong demand for Savanna has now outstripped the supply of glass bottles, which meant that the company launched a limited edition can for the beverage”, Distell said.

However, in his initial reaction in regards to the selling of cider in aluminium cans, Richard Rushton said, “It has been positive but it’s too early to tell what the impact of the move will be on the company.”