Los Portales, a soft drink factory located in the province of Pinar del Río, Cuba, has started packaging syrup in plastic bags due to severe raw material shortages. This limitation has "seriously impacted" the factory's operations.
"The new line is dedicated to producing syrup in bags, which will be distributed to tourism facilities and sold in retail stores," Mario Venero, the factory's director, told the official newspaper Granma. Venero specified that a testing phase has been completed, and they are now poised to begin large-scale production with this new packaging method.
"We are presenting the three basic flavors that dominate the market: cola, orange, and soda," Venero stated, adding that syrup in bags is already available in some tourism facilities. According to Venero, the factory has the capacity to produce one million bags annually, available in five, ten, and 20-liter formats.
Additionally, Venero mentioned that they are working on producing flavored waters, a product highly favored by tourists. "They find them more eco-friendly, made from natural concentrates," he noted. The flavors currently available are pineapple and apple, with plans to introduce melon soon. "We are exploring markets to incorporate other flavors, aiming to reduce reliance on carbonated soft drinks," Venero added.
Production at Los Portales was halted for 100 days due to a lack of carbon dioxide, as reported by Granma. The factory has the capacity to deliver 220 million cans of soda and 60 million bottles annually. However, Venero believes that diversifying their product line is essential for maintaining the factory's vitality and preserving its workforce.
The shortage of raw materials at Los Portales is not a new issue; it has been ongoing for several years. Since 2018, the factory has faced deficits in basic raw materials. For instance, in 2020, they produced only 112 million plastic bottles, less than half of what was produced in 2019, and in 2021, production dropped to just 86 million.
The blame for these shortages has often been placed on the U.S. embargo and the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, two days after acknowledging that sugar shortages had forced them to alter their recipes, Los Portales introduced a new Zero Calories line.
On social media, Cubans have criticized the taste of the factory's soft drinks. "It tastes like anything, the closest comparison is to a purgative," some users have written.
Impact of Raw Material Shortages on Los Portales Factory
The following questions and answers shed light on the challenges faced by Los Portales Factory due to raw material shortages and their shift to new production methods.
What prompted Los Portales to start packaging syrup in plastic bags?
Los Portales started packaging syrup in plastic bags due to severe raw material shortages that have significantly impacted their production capabilities.
What flavors are available in the new syrup bags?
The syrup bags are available in three basic flavors: cola, orange, and soda.
How has Los Portales addressed the shortage of raw materials?
Los Portales has diversified its product line, including the introduction of flavored waters and new packaging methods, to maintain factory operations and preserve their workforce.
What has been the public reaction to Los Portales' products?
The public reaction has been largely negative, with some users on social media criticizing the taste of the factory's soft drinks.