Overview
- Coca-Cola confirmed in its Q2 financial report that it will launch a cane-sugar-sweetened version this autumn as an addition to its existing high-fructose corn syrup lineup.
- CEO James Quincey described the decision as a “y, not o” strategy meant to complement the core formula without discontinuing it.
- Analysts estimate the new variant could add over $1 billion in annual raw-material costs, potentially raising the price of a 355 ml can by up to $0.50.
- The Corn Refiners Association warned that greater reliance on imported cane sugar under current quotas could threaten thousands of US corn-processing jobs and depress farm incomes.
- Sugar futures jumped after the announcement, prompting producers and bottlers to assess supply-chain adjustments and domestic sugar production capacity.