Where's the vinegar? South Africa's extreme sour shortage explained…
South Africa is suffering a shortage of vinegar. Anele and The Club interviews Louis Opperman of Jumbo Brands, who have a solution to the ‘crisis’.
947’s Anele and The Club speak with Louis Opperman of Jumbo Brands.
Listen below:
You may have noticed it's hard to find vinegar in South Africa right now.
The household staple has been quietly disappearing from supermarket shelves as a nationwide shortage hits due to rising raw material costs, logistics constraints and surging demand.
“It’s effectively spirit vinegar (white and brown)… consumers use them for quite a lot of things..."
– Louis Opperman, Jumbo Brands
There is a shortage of vinegar in South Africa and I’m panicked. Fish and chips!!!!! I’m tempted to do that thing you guys did with toilet paper during Covid.
— Anele Mdoda (@Anele) July 9, 2025
The vinegar we buy comes from raw vinegar, which is produced by fermentation.
Many may be surprised to learn that South Africa only has two major fermenters, and one of them was closed due to an investigation by SARS.
Not to worry, Jumbo Brands is stepping up to meet all your vinegar needs.
Despite not being fermenters themselves, through their brand, Boston, they have imported raw vinegar and switched to imitation vinegar.
“It is a slightly different process, but... tastes the same.”
– Louis Opperman, Jumbo Brands
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the discussion.