Bottler Coca-Cola HBC mulls other options for Russian business

A Coca-Cola logo is pictured through an event in Paris, France, March 21, 2019. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

Might 12 (Reuters) – Gentle beverages bottler Coca-Cola HBC AG (CCH.L) explained on Thursday it will examine all selections for its Russian functions and have a more compact presence in the region, focussing on local brands, soon after U.S. beverage giant Coca-Cola suspended operations there.

The bottler, which counted Russia as just one of its most important markets, mentioned it was nevertheless in the method of utilizing the determination by Coca-Cola (KO.N).

Hundreds of Western businesses have both withdrawn or suspended functions in Russia due to the fact the country invaded Ukraine in February even though Western governments have imposed sanctions.

HBC is one particular of Coca-Cola’s a lot of bottlers all over the world and holds community Coca-Cola franchises to bottle and market beverages manufactured by the beverage giant. Coca-Cola retains a roughly 21% stake in HBC.

The corporation, whose annual outlook continues to be withdrawn, mentioned it has stopped inserting orders for concentrate in Russia and ceased investments in the marketplace.

The London-mentioned corporation mentioned organic income in the first quarter rose 25.9%, excluding Russia and Ukraine.

The Switzerland-headquartered company explained it amplified selling prices in the quarter to aid deal with mounting input price tag inflation, and that has not negatively impacted volumes.

Reporting by Amna Karimi in Bengaluru Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips

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