As detailed from the Pepsico company, the brand will continue to operate in the country to offer essential products, such as milk and baby food.
America’s Soft Drink Giants The Coca-Cola Company and Pepsico have decided to suspend their activities in Russia, thus joining the boycott of the country by Western multinationals in response to the invasion of Ukraine.
The multinational, which entered the Russian market in the early 1990s, has indicated that will continue to monitor and assess the situation as circumstances evolve.
For its part, the bottler Coca-Cola HBC, in which the Atlanta giant controls 23% of the capital, expressed its respect for the decision announced by The Coca-Cola Company.
The company assured that it is “working closely for its implementation”.
“We will carefully consider the interests of our employees, customers and suppliers in Russia,” explained the bottler.
In addition, it was added that their relationship with The Coca-Cola Company remains strong and they continue to work collaboratively in the rest of their markets.
In the case of Pepsico, the multinational announced that it is suspending the production and sale in Russia of Pepsi-Cola and other brands like 7Up and Mirinda.
The foregoing, as well as all investments and promotional and activities in the country.
Russia without Coca-Cola and other sanctions
However, the CEO of the multinational has specified that, as a food and beverage company, it must observe the humanitarian aspect of its business.
“That means we have a responsibility to continue to offer our other products in Russia, including milk and other dairy offerings, baby formula and baby food,” he said.
In this sense, he pointed out that, by continuing to operate, we will also continue to support the livelihoods of our 20,000 Russian associates and of the country’s 40,000 farmworkers in the company’s supply chain.
On the other hand, the big American chains McDonald’s, Starbucks o Yum! Brands, restaurant owner KFC and Pizza Hut, announced the temporary closure and suspension of activity of their premises in Russia.
The multinational of the ‘golden arches’ confirmed the “temporary closure” of its 850 restaurants in Russia, as well as the interruption of its activities in the country.
“McDonald’s has decided to temporarily close all of our restaurants in Russia and pause all operations in the market,” the company announced.