A Russian beverage maker has unveiled a new range of soft drinks to replace the iconic brands that have left the Russian market in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine.
In lieu of Coca-Cola, Fanta and Sprite, Russians will be able to choose from CoolCola, Fancy and Street, Russian drink producer Ochakovo announced Monday.
The three global soda brands have been largely absent from Russian shelves since the Coca-Cola Company suspended business in Russia in March. While Coca-Cola products can still be found in shops, prices have skyrocketed by roughly 200% since the suspension.
CoolCola has the “iconic taste of cola,” Ochakovo wrote online. Meanwhile, the brand’s bottles of orange-flavored Fancy and lemon-lime Street mimic the color schemes of Fanta and Sprite.
Established in the Soviet Union in 1978, Ochakovo largely produces traditional Russian beverages such as fermented grain-based kvass and low-alcohol honey drink medovukha.
The firm isn’t the only company to try and capitalize on Coca-Cola’s step back from the Russian market.
In April, a beverages company based in Russia’s Far East, the Slavda Group, launched Grink Cola to try and capture the hearts of Russia’s soda lovers.Meanwhile in May, in the northern Russian region of Komi, the Syktyvkarpivo factory launched its own brand of soda, Komi Cola.
However, both alternatives received a mixed response, with customers complaining that neither drink was “sweet and sparkling.”
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In lieu of Coca-Cola, Fanta and Sprite, Russians will be able to choose from CoolCola, Fancy and Street, Russian drink producer Ochakovo announced Monday. The three global soda brands have been largely absent from Russian shelves since the Coca-Cola Company suspended business in Russia in March.
What replaced Coca-Cola in Russia? ›
The domestically produced world famous Coca-Cola brand has indeed disappeared from shops, apart from bottles and cans imported from countries like Iran and Turkey, and has been replaced by a Russian analogy brand called “Dobry Cola” (Good Cola).
What is the Russian alternative to Coca-Cola? ›
Baikal's production started in 1969. It was developed as a Soviet alternative to Coca-Cola. The drink was developed with the Moscow 1980 Summer Olympics in mind, as Western soda companies did not operate in the USSR at that time. It successfully reached its goal of becoming the official drink of those Summer Olympics.
Is Coca-Cola still banned in Russia? ›
How? Coca-Cola announced it was leaving the Russian market back in March 2022 as part of the global response to the invasion of Ukraine.
Why is Coca-Cola banned in North Korea? ›
The main reason for the Coca-Cola ban
The reason is mainly ideological, which manifests itself in trade embargoes or sanctions. The North Korean dictatorship officially restricts access to this drink, although it is likely that it has crossed the country's borders.
Is Pepsi still in Russia? ›
But there is more to this case. Russia continues to lose brands that historically were with the country for the longest periods of time.
Is Apple still in Russia? ›
"Officially, Apple does not sell anything in Russia. Russian companies buy equipment in other countries and bring it to their stores," he explained.
Is Burger King still in Russia? ›
Burger King remains open as usual in Russia despite the brand's owner pledging to leave more than a year ago.
What two countries cannot purchase Coca-Cola? ›
Fun Fact of the day:
North Korea and Cuba are the only places you can't buy Coca-Cola.
Why is co*ke banned in Cuba? ›
After the Cuban Revolution, led by Fidel Castro, halted the production of Coca-Cola in 1962. The new Cuban government started seizing American firms. Coca-Cola moved out and never returned. Even now the United States holds the commercial, financial and economic embargo against the Republic of Cuba.
On Friday, India's Supreme Court demanded that Coca-Cola reveal its secret recipe — guarded for the past 120 years — so that the allegations of high pesticide levels could be verified with further tests. Coca-Cola pulled out of India in 1977 after the government insisted that it reveal the formula.
What ingredient is banned in Coca-Cola? ›
BVO, or brominated vegetable oil, has been used as an emulsifying agent since the 1930s to ensure citrus flavoring agents don't float to the top of sodas. Sticking a dozen bromine atoms to a triglyceride creates a dense oil that floats evenly throughout water when mixed with less dense fats.
What country banned Pepsi? ›
North Korea is another country where Coca-Cola and Pepsi are not available due to strained relations with the United States and much of the world. The country has been subject to American sanctions since the 1950s, which were further intensified after North Korea's aggression against South Korea in the 1980s.
What is the most popular soda in Russia? ›
In 2020, Coca-Cola ranked first among non-alcoholic beverage brands in Russia, accounting for 248 consumer reach points countrywide. Pepsi received 199 CRPs over the same period and was listed in the second place.
What is the clear co*ke for Russia? ›
"colorless Coca-Cola") was a clear variant of Coca-Cola produced in the 1940s at the request of Marshal of the Soviet Union Georgy Zhukov. Like other clear colas, it had the same flavor as the original, virtually unchanged by the absence of caramel coloring.
Can you buy Cola in Russia? ›
Pepsi or Coca-Cola can still be obtained, although not in large supermarkets, but rather in subway shops and small tobacco shops. After Feb. 2022, both American corporations stopped selling their brands to Russia, and Russia was forced to replace them with local substitutes.
