Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola Acquires 100% Of Nigerian Juice Maker
Three years after purchasing a 40 percent stake in Nigerian juice and dairy company Chi from Tropical General Investments Group, Coca-Cola has completed its purchase. The deal follows a flurry of acquisition activity by Coca-Cola in 2018 – beverage company Bodyarmor, U.K. coffee chain Costa, Australian kombucha maker Mojo and Made Group, and French fruit beverage brand Tropico – though CEO James Quincey recently signaled a hiatus in that area. Chi, headquartered in Lagos, produces juice and iced tea under its Chivita brand, value-added dairy products under the Hollandia brand, as well as a range of snacks.
Acquisition Of Fairy Bottling Will Make Coca-Cola Africa More Cost-Effective In Zambia
Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) said it has received regulatory approval to acquire Fairy Bottling Zambia Ltd, which produces Aqua Savana and Super Maheu (fermented maize beverage), and other soft drink brands. Under the deal, CCBA acquired the production facility in Lusaka and the sales and distribution infrastructure in Zambia. This comes after CCBA’s recent acquisition of Kalundu Beverages Limited, trading as Coca-Cola Beverages Zambia (CCBZ). The company said that by combining the current sparkling soft drinks business of CCBA in Zambia with the state-of-the-art production and distribution capability at Fairy, CCBA will be a more cost-effective operator in Zambia. CCBA is Africa’s largest Coca-Cola bottler,
Coca-Cola Adds Stiffer Versions Of Alcoholic Fruit Juices In Japan
Coca-Cola Japan has extended its line of alcoholic fruit juice in the country with stronger variants, including a nine percent ABV sour lemon flavor that will debut on February 18. The style of drink, known as “chu hai,” is a mix of spirits and soda. The launch last year included variants whose ABV ranged from three percent to eight percent. The new release contains 17 percent fruit juice per 35 cl can, has 80 calories per serving, and contains no artificial sweeteners. Sour Lemon will roll out to Kyushu with an RRP of $1.36. According to GlobalData, the ABV segment will by six percent by 2022, to around 1.43 million cases.
Danone
Danone Stops Production, Sales Of Yili Mineral Water In China
The constantly changing market for bottled water in China has convinced France’s Danone to stop making and selling its Yili mineral water brand in the country. Danone-Yili Beverage Company ended bottling operations at the Longmen factory in Huizhou in January. In a statement, Danone China Beverage said it assessed business development strategies in the country to adjust to the “rapidly changing local market” and decided in the end to restructure the business and stop making and selling Yili water. The Chinese bottled mineral water market is dominated by Nongfu Spring, Master Kong, Wahaha, Ganten, C’estbon, and Ice Dew from Coca-Cola. As of June 2018, China’s Ganten is the fastest growing brand with 9.6 percent of the market, trailing only Nongfu Spring (26.4 percent) and C’estbon (20.9 percent).
Nestle
Nescafé Unveils New RTD Coffee Variants In U.S.
Nescafé is introducing in the U.S. two new RTD coffee beverages whose mission is to “shake up the coffee routine and offer uniquely delicious flavors.” Nescafé Coffee Protein Smoothie is a plant-based, non-dairy protein beverage; Cold Whipped Latte is a frothy latte. The Protein Smoothie in banana or mocha flavors is made with 100 percent Colombian Arabica coffee, oats and almond butter, and delivers 15 g of protein in each 11 oz. single-serve bottle (SRP is $3.49). The Whipped Latte is a blend of indulgent flavors comes in single-serve 10 oz. bottles and is available in coffee or French vanilla flavors for a suggested retail price of $2.49.
Other Companies
Mooala Unveils Organic Sugar-Free Oatmilk
Dairy-free beverage company Mooala is launching Organic Coconut Oatmilk, a refrigerated sugar-free beverage that is sugar-free, and certified non-GMO and organic. The main ingredients are toasted oats blended with coconut cream and a hint of cinnamon. Mooala's Organic Coconut Oatmilk (MSRP: $5.99) will be first available in the refrigerated aisle in Whole Foods and Safeway-Albertsons regionally, and is available to retailers nationally through UNFI and KeHE. The new oatmilk also has as much calcium as a glass of dairy milk, offering 30 percent of the daily value in an 8 oz serving.
Protein Water Maker Protein2o Sneaks Into Energy Beverage Market
Six-year-old Chicago-based Protein2o, maker of protein-infused water, has launched a three-SKU line of energy beverages – Plus Energy – that it feels are not competitors of the big energy drink players. The brand contains 125 mg of natural caffeine from green coffee beans and 15 g of whey protein per 16.9 oz. PET bottle, and is available in blueberry-raspberry and cherry lemonade flavors. The protein-energy market is booming, fueled by 784.2 percent growth in dollar sales over the 52 weeks ending December 29, 2018, VPX Pharmaceuticals’ Bang Energy has done much to establish the viability of the segment, which also includes brands like Celsius and C4. Monster Energy also markets the protein-enhanced line Muscle Monster. But Protein2o CEO Bob Kral says his new products are different from those brands. “We don’t see ourselves trying to compete with Bang or Monster,” he said. “Protein is definitely what we do, and delivering great tasting low-calorie beverages is what we are about.”
Study Warns Of Dangerous Metal Content Of Half Of U.S. Fruit Juice Brands
A study by scientists at Consumer Reports magazine that tested 45 top fruit juice brands found that half contained potentially harmful levels of arsenic, cadmium, and lead. Numerous national store and private labels were tested, including 365 Everyday Value (Whole Foods), Capri Sun, Great Value (Walmart), Gerber, Gold Emblem (CVS), Goya, Honest Kids, Minute Maid, Mott’s, Nature’s Own, Ocean Spray, Trader Joe’s, and Welch’s. Every product had “measurable levels” of at least one of these heavy metals: cadmium, inorganic arsenic, lead, or mercury. Forty-seven percent had “concerning levels” of cadmium, inorganic arsenic, and/or lead, and seven juices could harm children who drink four ounces (1/2 cup) or more a day; nine pose risks to kids at eight ounces or more a day. Eighty percent of American parents with children under the age of three give their kids fruit juice.
Testing Proves LaCroix Flavor Essences Are “Natural” – NBC CEO Caporella
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based National Beverage Corp., marketer of the popular sparkling water brand LaCroix, said independent testing refutes accusations that the water is not “natural.” Late in 2018, a law firm hired an accredited lab to test the flavor “essences” of LaCroix products. The tests found no trace of artificial or synthetic additives, which confirmed supplier certifications. Several lawsuits have been filed against National Beverage claiming LaCroix ingredients are synthetic, including one filed in late January in New York. “We unequivocally stand behind these results and refute contrary claims contained in lawsuits,” said CEO Nick A. Caporella.
KRā Sports Drinks Expands Geographically As It Seeks Customers Among High School Athletes
Chicago-based KRā Drinks for Athletes, Inc., maker of organic sports beverages, has launched new packaging that it hopes will ease brand expansion nationwide and “absolutely shouts its key differentiator: “simple, clean, real ingredients.” The new bottle lists the four key ingredients (i.e., water, organic fruit juice, organic cane sugar, and sea salt). KRā (“keep rising above”) is expanding on its home Chicago market and Washington D.C. market, and is distributed now at Kroger-owned Mariano's stores and select Whole Foods stores in the Mid-Atlantic region, along with Safeway stores in the long-coveted Northern California market. Three-year-old KRā's target market is the young – 13- to 18-year-old – athlete, including eight million U.S. high schoolers. The brand has launched a social media campaign – it encourages followers to post photos of how they're purging the “junk” in their lives – that awards cases of KRā and autographed items from the startup's professional athlete non-endorsed supporters.
California Citrus Grower Limoneira Enters Argentine Market Through Joint Venture
California-based agribusiness Limoneira Company has entered into a joint venture agreement with Argentinian citrus product producer FGF Trapani, which owns 3,200 acres of citrus groves in the provinces of Salta, Jujuy and Tucuman, as well as owning and operating a juice processing facility in Tucuman. Limoneira will create a new subsidiary in Argentina called Limoneira Argentina, and will acquire 25 percent of the parcels of Finca Santa Clara – approximately 1,200 acres of planted lemons – up front, with an additional 25 percent to be acquired over a three-year period. Limoneira grows, packs and sells a range of citrus products including lemons and oranges. According to a company executive, the relationship will provide Limoneira with access to new markets and distribution networks, increase production and technical capacity “and also reduce impact on operating results.”
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