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South African consumers could soon find their favourite Simba chips and Lay's out of stock, following the KwaZulu-Natal floods that damaged producer PepsiCo's snacks factory.
On Tuesday, the group said its snacks facility in Prospecton, KwaZulu-Natal, has been closed since 12 April and although clean-up at the site is in progress, its utilities still haven’t been restored, which is of "great concern".
"It is still uncertain when we will be able to recommence production with the disruption that will impact specifically potato chips supply in the short term. This has been communicated with our customers," said PepsiCo spokesperson Deborah-Ann Sharwood.
PepsiCo is one of many businesses that were impacted by last week's floods in KwaZulu-Natal.
US PepsiCo, which owns the Lay's, Doritos and Cheetos chips brands, acquired South Africa’s Pioneer Foods for R24 billion in 2020 and Simba in 1995.
Some of Pioneer's brands include Safari, Bokomo, Bovril and bread maker Sasko. One of the concerns the company had last week was that there could be a shortage of bread, but the group said its bakery in Shakaskraal was operational despite there being no water supply.
