Coca-Cola halts production in Venezuela due to sugar shortage

By Sumit Modi

Atlanta-based Coca-Cola has announced that it has been forced to halt production in Venezuela, which currently cannot provide enough sugar to the company. Venezuela's economy is known to be on the cusp of collapsing, plagued by riots, looting, and a shortage of food.

Juice and water will still be produced and bottled by Coca-Cola FEMSA in Mexico, and Coca-Cola will still be imported, but ordinary locals may no longer be able to afford the products as inflation in the country is forecast to surpass 700 percent. 

Latin America is the largest global market for Coca-Cola; a huge 29 percent of the company's total cans of drink are consumed in this region, and this announcement is yet another blow for Venezuela's struggling food sector. The country's largest food and drinks company, Polar, has also had to halt productions thanks to a barley shortage. Locals are being forced to queue for hours for basic essentials, exacerbating mob violence. 

A spokesperson for Coca-Cola, Kerry Tressler, told The Telegraph: “While this situation will impact the production of sugar-sweetened beverages in the coming days, the production lines for zero-sugar beverages such as bottled water and Coca-Cola Light are not impacted and continue operating normally,” she said, adding that local offices and distribution centres remain open.

“We are engaging with suppliers, government authorities and our associates to take the necessary actions for a prompt solution.”

 

Follow @BizReviewUSA and @NellWalkerMG

Read the May issue of Business Review USA & Canada here

Share

Featured Articles

JPMorgan Chase: Committed to supporting the next generation

JPMorgan has unveiled a host of new and expanded philanthropic activities totalling US$3.5 million to support the development of apprenticeship programmes

How efficient digital ecosystems became business critical

During this unprecedented era of rapid digital transformation, establishing a well-functioning ecosystem stands to benefit both employees and customers

Mastercard: Supporting clients at a time of rapid evolution

Mastercard has announced a significant expansion of its consulting business with the launch of new practices dedicated to both AI and economics

Why Ceridian has boldly rebranded to Dayforce

Human Capital

McKinsey’s eight lessons in leadership for aspiring CEOs

Leadership & Strategy

KPMG: The biggest challenges facing global CEOs in 2023

Leadership & Strategy