Wine Bottle Shortage Is A Myth Says Glass Packaging Institute President

NOTE: Wine Industry Insight has posted the full presentation at this link.

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NEWS RELEASE – January 26, 2022

Glass Packaging Institute President Scott DeFife addressed the “Glass Shortage” Myth at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, Highlighted the Sustainability of Wine in Glass

 

In his remarks and presentation to the press DeFife stated that: “A glass shortage is not an accurate description of the current state of the market. We understand some end-market customers may have issues with getting bottle stock, but that is not a “glass shortage.”

 

He said that container glass is caught up in the same larger, international logistics backlog affecting multiple industries across the United States.

 

“Domestic glass suppliers have not run out of excess inventory,” DeFife said, “nor is there any shortage of raw materials to make glass. All materials needed to manufacture glass in North America can be sourced in North America.

 

“The US shipped out to customers from domestic glass plants 1.5 billion wine bottles through the third quarter of 2021. This represents a continued stability in U.S. wine shipments to customers.”

 

DeFife also addressed the sustainability of wine packaged in glass: “Glass is made from all-natural sustainable raw materials, and 88% of consumers choose to buy wine in glass, making it the preferred choice for packaging. The industry is working to make glass an even more sustainable packaging material through research and development of more lightweight bottles and developments in new glass manufacturing techniques.

 

You can read more about the benefits of wine packaged in glass here.

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