Mountain Dew, the citrus-flavored soda owned by PepsiCo, has recently been facing shortages across the United States. This has left many Mountain Dew fans wondering when they can expect store shelves to be fully stocked with their favorite bright green soda again. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at the Mountain Dew shortage, including its causes, timeline, and what consumers can expect in the future.
What Is Mountain Dew?
Mountain Dew is a lemon-lime soda created in the 1940s by two Tennessee beverage bottlers. It was intended to be a mixer for whiskey and quickly became popular in the Southern United States. The name Mountain Dew comes from the Appalachian slang term “mountain dew,” which refers to moonshine.
Today, Mountain Dew is one of the top-selling sodas worldwide. Its fluorescent green color comes from Yellow 5 food dye. The soda has a high level of caffeine and sugar and is marketed towards young male consumers with an interest in extreme sports. Popular Mountain Dew flavors include Code Red, Voltage, and Baja Blast.
Is There A Mountain Dew Shortage?
Yes, there is a Mountain Dew Shortage. This shortage appears to be affecting certain regions and stores more than others. Some shoppers are having trouble locating their favorite Dew flavors.
The shortage seems to stem from supply chain disruptions caused by COVID-19. Production and distribution difficulties have made it a challenge to get enough Mountain Dew to meet consumer demand. Both 12 oz cans and 20 oz bottles have been impacted by the lower inventory.
PepsiCo, which owns Mountain Dew, has acknowledged the supply constraints. The company says they are working hard to increase production and restock stores, but it may take some time to catch up. This has left Mountain Dew lovers searching for their soda fix.
Reasons For The Shortage
A few key factors are causing the current Mountain Dew shortage:
1. Aluminum can supply
There is a tight supply of aluminum cans right now, making it difficult for PepsiCo to package enough Mountain Dew. The pandemic led more people to stockpile canned beverages.
2. High demand
As pandemic restrictions ease in many regions, consumers are purchasing more Mountain Dew for parties, events, and summer activities. But production can’t keep pace.
3. Distribution challenges
COVID-related transportation and logistics disruptions have slowed Mountain Dew shipments. Some stores are waiting longer than usual to receive new inventory.
4. Labor shortages
Like many businesses, PepsiCo has been impacted by a lack of available workers. Short-staffing at production facilities is hindering efforts to bottle more Mountain Dew.
Impact On Customers And Market
The Mountain Dew shortage has left many customers disappointed. Fans have taken to social media to bemoan the lack of their favorite soda in local stores. Some have noticed prices going up for the limited Mountain Dew that is available.
This scarcity has the potential to impact Mountain Dew’s sales and market share. Rival citrus sodas like Mello Yello and Sun Drop may see a temporary boost as customers substitute due to the lack of Mountain Dew inventory.
PepsiCo could experience some financial impact in the short term if production constraints persist. However, the company is well-equipped to handle supply chain disturbances. Mountain Dew will likely return to normal availability once bottling capacity expands.
What Are The Alternatives For Mountain Dew?
Until the shortage is resolved, Mountain Dew lovers may have to explore some alternative beverages. Here are a few options that can potentially satisfy your citrus-flavored, caffeinated soda cravings:
- Mello Yello: This Coca-Cola brand soda has a very similar citrus and sugary flavor profile to Mountain Dew. It makes a close replacement.
- Sun Drop: This lemony-lime soda offers a crisp, sweet taste and plenty of fizz. It’s a great option if Mountain Dew is hard to find.
- Squirt: Squirt is a grapefruit-flavored soda that provides a citrusy kick. It’s caffeine-free but could appeal to Mountain Dew fans.
- Surge: Remember Surge? This short-lived citrus Dew rival has made a comeback but still has limited availability. Seek it out if you can find it.
- Citrus-flavored energy drinks: Brands like Monster, Rockstar, and Red Bull offer citrus and energy-boosting properties to potentially satisfy Mountain Dew cravings.
Hopefully, the Mountain Dew shortage will be short-lived. But in the meantime, trying out a substitute soda with a similar bright, citrusy flavor profile could give you your fizzy fix. Just stay caffeinated and refreshed until Dew is back in full stock!
What Brand Owns Mountain Dew?
PepsiCo is the company that owns Mountain Dew. PepsiCo is an American global food, tidbit, and refreshment partnership settled in Buy, New York. In addition to Mountain Dew, PepsiCo also owns other popular brands like Pepsi, Gatorade, Quaker Oats, Lay’s, Tropicana, and more. PepsiCo first launched Mountain Dew in the 1940s and has owned the citrus soda brand ever since.
Mountain Dew is considered one of PepsiCo’s billion-dollar brands, with annual sales of over $1 billion. It’s the fourth most popular carbonated soft drink brand in the U.S. after Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Sprite. While PepsiCo owns the brand, Mountain Dew is manufactured and distributed by a network of licensed bottlers across the country. This includes bottlers like Honickman, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, and more.
The Mountain Dew brand has grown exponentially since its early days in the mid-20th century. Created as a mixer for whiskey, Mountain Dew now comes in many flavor variations, and diet options, and has built a reputation for its fun, youthful image. Even with shortages, Mountain Dew remains one of PepsiCo’s most popular and profitable brands.
Conclusion
In summary, the current Mountain Dew shortage stems from pandemic-related supply chain issues affecting aluminum can stock. While PepsiCo is working to increase production capacity, sporadic outages may continue in the short term.
However, PepsiCo’s plans to mitigate these challenges mean Mountain Dew fans can likely expect more reliable stock levels on store shelves again soon. The company is investing heavily to meet demand for this top-selling citrus soda. With PepsiCo’s efforts, Mountain Dew devotees will hopefully be able to get their hands on their favorite neon-green beverage again very soon.
FAQs – Mountain Dew Shortage
What Is Causing The Shortage Of Mountain Dew?
The shortage of Mountain Dew and diet Mountain Dew is primarily due to supply chain disruptions and increased consumer demand. Factors such as aluminum can shortages, labor shortages, and other supply chain issues have also contributed to the scarcity of this popular soda.
When Did The Shortage Of Mountain Dew Start?
The shortage of Mountain Dew and other variants like diet Mountain Dew became more pronounced in 2021 and is expected to continue into 2023.
Is PepsiCo Addressing The Mountain Dew Shortage?
PepsiCo is actively working to address the shortage and is implementing measures to overcome the supply chain disruptions and aluminum can shortages affecting the availability of Mountain Dew and other beverages.
How Is The Shortage Of Aluminum Cans Impacting Mountain Dew Production?
The shortage of aluminum cans is a key factor behind the shortage of Mountain Dew and has disrupted the production and distribution of various soft drinks, including Mountain Dew varieties.
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