The Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company has halted the production and sale of beverages under Coca-Cola Company brands in Russia. Russian customers of the distributor are currently described as being in the process of running out of stock.
According to the manufacturer, once reserves are exhausted, Coca-Cola HBC will stop manufacturing and selling Coca-Cola or other Coca-Cola Company brands in Russia.
The Coca‑Cola Company announced the suspension of its activities in Russia on March 9. It expressed sympathy for those affected by the events in Ukraine and said it would monitor the situation as it develops.
In addition to Coca‑Cola, the brand portfolio includes Fanta, Sprite, Schweppes, Powerade, Bonaqua, Fuzetea, Adez, Pulpy, Innocent, Rich, My Family, and Dobry. Coca‑Cola’s operations in Russia span Moscow, the Moscow region, and St. Petersburg, with factories in these areas and other cities. Data indicate that Coca‑Cola Russia employed around 7,000 people, while each workplace supported up to 8.7 jobs for suppliers and customers, totaling roughly 66,000 additional roles. In 2018 the company’s contribution to the Russian economy was about 0.2% of GDP, estimated at over 195 billion rubles.
Is Pepsi leaving Russia as well?
PepsiCo also announced a pause in beverage sales on March 9 and halted capital investments and promotional activities in the country.
Ramon Laguart, CEO of PepsiCo, noted that Pepsi-Cola entered the market during the Cold War era and helped establish some common ground between the US and the USSR. Given the current events in Ukraine, PepsiCo said it would suspend sales of Pepsi-Cola and other beverages in Russia, including 7Up and Mirinda.
Production of essential goods, such as dairy products and baby food, was not stopped. The company pledged support for roughly 20,000 Russian workers and 40,000 agricultural workers in its supply chain.
PepsiCo’s Russian operations included beverages (Pepsi, 7Up, Mirinda, Adrenaline Rush, Russian Gift, and others), snacks (Lay’s, Cheetos, Khrusteam), juices and nectars (Fruit Garden, J7, Beloved), and bottled water (Aqua Minerale, Resources of Russia), with more than 20 facilities across the federation.
Reports from Kommersant suggested PepsiCo was exploring options to remain in Russia, potentially under new branding. It was mentioned that a new cola product, along with fruit-flavored drinks, might join the portfolio and expand the Russkiy Dar line.
What will Russians drink now?
Industry observers noted that substitutes bearing similar labels to Coca-Cola and Fanta may appear on shelves in Russian stores. A campaign with the slogan Live at your own pace and branding such as Funky Monkey Cola and Orange has been mentioned, targeting younger audiences aged 16 to 35. The flavor profiles are expected to resemble the original beverages, with branding featuring a monkey wearing headphones and a hat.
Officials from the Moscow region indicated that a new local producer, Megapack from Vidnoye, would manufacture these substitutes. They indicated pricing would be lower than Coca‑Cola and Fanta, and that local production would ensure continued availability of familiar-tavored drinks for consumers.
Officials argued that Coca‑Cola’s departure would not deprive domestic shoppers of suitable beverages. Plans were announced for initial deliveries from Vidnoe to begin the following week, featuring highly carbonated soft drinks with the recognizable tastes of Fanta and Coca‑Cola produced at domestic plants. Blind taste tests reportedly confirmed the palatability of the new drinks as well.
Some reports indicated that Sprite would not be directly replaced; instead, a product named Laimon Fresh lemonade could fill that niche.
Overall, the situation illustrates how global brands adjust operations in response to geopolitical events while aiming to minimize disruption for consumers and preserve local employment and supply chains. Observers emphasize that the shift toward domestic production could alter market dynamics and brand loyalty in the Russian beverage sector, with potential implications for retailers, distributors, and suppliers (sources cited as Fontanka and related industry coverage).