India, China contribute to numbers

Beverage major Coca-Cola’s strong revenues for the quarter ended September 30 are on the back of gains made in markets such as India, China and Argentina. Volume growth in these markets stood at 17 per cent (India), 11 per cent (Argentina) and seven per cent (China) for Brand Coca-Cola, helping the Atlanta-based firm beat analysts estimates for the quarter. While this was the sixth consecutive quarter of growth for Coke globally, for the Indian unit, it was the twenty-first. Its overall volume growth in the key sparkling (or carbonated) beverages portfolio in India was 19 per cent, the firm said. In comparison, worldwide sparkling beverage volumes grew by only four per cent during the quarter.

Still beverages, on the other hand, which comprise segments such as juice, tea and water, saw stronger worldwide growth of nine per cent. Of the brands in this portfolio, the Minute Maid franchise grew by 20 per cent during the quarter.