Nationwide shortage of carbon dioxide leaves supermarkets shelves bare

A national shortage of carbon dioxide has led to empty soft drink shelves at both major supermarket chains as well as some restaurants.

Shoppers have noticed empty aisles at Woolworths and Coles stores across Australia, with the shortage of CO2 causing supply chain problems for carbonated drinks makers.

Soda water and private label lemonade are the carbonated drinks thought to be most affected by the problem.

The shortage has affected about 20 Woolworths brand soft drinks.

Customers who saw empty aisles at their local supermarket asked Reddit what happened.

‘I haven’t seen a single bottle of Coles diet lemonade in the shops. Same with Woolies. Does anyone know why they decided to stop doing it?’ wrote one person.

Dozens of users said there was a shortage of carbon dioxide, which is used in soft drinks to create bubbles.

‘There is a shortage of CO2, they haven’t had a soft drink machine at Taco Bell for days!’ wrote one.

“I was told at my local IGA it was a shortage of industrial CO2 that meant the off-brand Coke was no longer available,” said another.

“I usually buy LA Ice, Que or Colesworth (Coles and Woolworths) off-brand sugar colas, but those are missing from the shelves here in Sydney too,” one user wrote.

A Woolworths spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that the CO2 shortage had led to a limited supply of soft drinks.

“CO2 shortages have had an impact on the supply of some soft drinks in our stores,” they say.

“We are working to manage these impacts and there are a number of alternative products available to customers while these shortages continue.”

House brand soft drinks and lemonade are the carbonated drinks thought to be most affected by the problem (stock image)

Coles is also believed to be aware of the issues and is working with suppliers to ensure customers are not affected by the shortage.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Coles for further comment.

The Australian carbon dioxide market is dependent on two multinational suppliers: British company BOC and French company Air Liquide.

A spokesperson for the BOC told the newspaper Illawarra Mercury the company tried to limit the impact of the CO2 shortage.

“The product has been imported to bridge the supply gap; However, due to the many current issues affecting international freight transport, deliveries have been affected except for critical customers in the medical, security and water treatment sectors,” the spokesperson said.

BOC was contacted for further comment.

However, beer supplies are not believed to be affected by the shortage.

The latest supply issues come as Australia’s food industry leaders raised concerns about a carbon dioxide shortage earlier last year.

The Australian New Zealand Industrial Gas Association, the main industry body representing gas companies in both countries, expressed concerns that the shortage was a sign of Australia’s weak food supply chain.

The agency said shortages are often caused by disruptions in production facilities and dependence on Australia foreign producers.

Carbon dioxide is captured in large quantities, often at large industrial sites such as power plants and natural gas processing facilities.

It is removed by the combustion of fossil fuels, such as coal, and is captured from the gases released during this process before being stored.

CO2 can also be removed directly from the atmosphere through the air.