Emerging markets maintain Coca-Cola momentum
pick up momentum in the third quarter, buying it time to address
problems in Japan and North America.
Strong growth in China, Russia and Latin America ensured Coca-Cola volumes by five per cent in both carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks in its third quarter.
Non-carbonated beverages, and notable sports drink Powerade, Dasani water and Minute Maid juice, still showed the biggest growth overall - echoing strong results from similar brands at PepsiCo recently.
The results, which beat predictions, add to Coca-Cola's fresh momentum as it looks to overturn years of poor development.
Record-breaking hot weather across much of Western Europe this summer helped Coca-Cola Zero to make a good start in the UK.
The firm said the brand, which contains no calories to reflect current consumer health trends, drove significant share gains in the UK, alongside double-digit growth form non-carbonated beverages.
Coca-Cola volumes still dropped in North America, Japan and the Philippines, but veteran chief executive Neville Isdell said these were being addressed.
In the US, the firm will launch a sparkling green tea drink with Nestlé in January 2007. The drink, called Enviga, claims to help consumers burn off calories, catapulting both companies further into the growing health and wellness market.
It is the optimum combination of Enviga's green tea, caffeine and plant micronutrient content which creates the 'negative calorie effect', according to chief Coca-Cola scientist Rhona Applebaum.
Isdell said earlier this year that Coca-Cola would look to launch several innovative products in key markets, as part of the group's plan to find long-term, sustainable growth after years lying stagnant.
