With contributions from Jessica DiNapoli and Alexander Marrow
NEW YORK
Coca Cola HBC AG has begun manufacturing Dobry Cola, a local cola, in Russia after ceasing production and sales of Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) Co goods in response to the major departure of Western corporations this year.
Coca-Cola HBC, which is separating from Coca-Cola Co https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/coca-cola-bottler-detail-costs-exiting-russia-2022-08-10/, said earlier this month that it was exploring extending existing local brands through its Multon Partners business. Dobry has been a juice brand in Russia.
Coca-Cola HBC stated in a statement that Dobry Cola has no affiliation with Coca-Cola or Coca-Cola Co.
The Coca-Cola Company owns 23 percent of Coca-Cola HBC.
The creator of the Russian fast-food chain Teremok, which offers traditional dishes such as borscht and blinis, was reported by Interfax on Friday as claiming he had gotten word from the firm regarding ‘Dobry Cola’ and was attempting to sell it in his restaurants.
Local Coca-Cola competitors have flooded the market since the firm withdrew from Russia following the deployment of thousands of soldiers to Ukraine, while Western brands face years of legal fights against counterfeits.
Since making its final order for concentrate in March, Coca Cola HBC had been depleting its supply of Coca-Cola goods.