As draught Guinness disappears from Malta, Farsons confirms fresh kegs to arrive ‘shortly’

Fans of certain imported beverages, including Guinness, had a tough start to 2022, with the beverage being unavailable on draught at almost all local bars.

The shortage in imported beverages is being caused by serious disruptions to the global supply chain, compounded by Malta’s isolation as a small island nation, according to a spokesperson for the drink’s importer, Farsons Beverage Imports Company (FBIC).

The spokesperson stated that a lack of raw materials, factory lockdowns and shortage of staff have led to production issues, “in practically every industry, not just beverages.”

Indeed, several industries across the economic spectrum have been severely impacted by COVID-related supply chain difficulties, from consumer electronics to property development to coffee.

Alongside the aforementioned issues, the FBIC spokesperson explained that these issues have been further compounded by delays in shipping due to a shortage of availability of shipping slots and congestion in some major ports.

This problem is not expected to abate any time soon, and global shipping lines have warned that delays are expected to last for the first half of 2022 – contrary to expectations at the end of last year.

However, as the spokesperson pointed out, these problems are particularly felt when there are no direct shipping lines in operation to Malta making transhipment necessary.

Guinness is indeed one of the products to have been negatively affected by these factors, but according to the spokesperson, stocks of fresh kegs will be in Malta “shortly,” allowing the drink’s lovers to enjoy their favourite brew on draught.