Following the Russian strike on a Coca-Cola production facility in the Kyiv region, the range of Coca-Cola products in some Ukrainian shops has been significantly reduced. Large retail chains are now seeking alternative supply channels: according to a staff member, ATB has signed a contract to import Coca-Cola from Romania, whilst Silpo has also begun importing the drink from Romania. However, there have been no official statements from the chains themselves regarding the scale or timing of these supplies.
• Following the Russian Federation’s strike on the Coca-Cola factory in the Kyiv region, the range of drinks available in some shops has been reduced.
• According to a member of staff at the chain, ATB has agreed to source Coca-Cola from Romania.
• «Silpo» has also started importing Romanian Coca-Cola.
• The drink is still available in some shops and online catalogues.
• Coca-Cola has not officially announced a complete halt to production in Ukraine.
ATB has found an alternative supply of Coca-Cola
According to a Ukrainian publication, which cites an ATB employee, the chain has signed a contract for the supply of Coca-Cola from Romania, in order to keep the goods on sale following disruptions to supplies from Ukraine.
This refers to alternative logistics following damage to a Coca-Cola production facility in the Brovary District of the Kyiv Region.
There is currently no separate official statement from ATB’s press office regarding the terms of the contract, import volumes or the date of arrival of large consignments in publicly available sources.
As of the last check, Coca-Cola remains in the range in the ATB online catalogue. Specifically, a 250 ml can is available, whilst the availability of larger bottles depends on the individual shop.
«Silpo» also imports the drink from Romania
«Silpo» is also implementing a similar measure. According to published reports, the chain has started stocking Coca-Cola produced in Romania.
In the Silpo catalogue, Coca-Cola continues to be sold in various sizes — including 0.25 l, 1.75 l and Coca-Cola Zero. This suggests that the brand has not completely disappeared from the chain, although the availability of specific products may vary from shop to shop.
Imports from Romania are nothing new for the Ukrainian retail sector: retail chains have already been using European suppliers to replace goods whose production or logistics have been disrupted by the war.
Following the scandal, Coca-Cola began to disappear from some shops
Problems with the product range became apparent following the attack 3 September to the Coca-Cola Beverages Ukraine production facility in the Brovary district of the Kyiv region.
The company has confirmed that the plant was damaged by a Russian drone. No employees were injured. However, Coca-Cola has not reported either a complete halt to production or a timeline for the restoration of the damaged facilities.
In the days that followed, journalists noted a noticeable reduction in the range of Coca-Cola products in some of Kyiv’s supermarkets. In some shops, large bottles of Coca-Cola, as well as Schweppes, Rich juices and some other drinks produced by the Ukrainian factory, had almost disappeared.
As of 21 September, large-format Coca-Cola products remained in short supply in some retail chains, whilst cans and small bottles were still available.
The plant in the Kyiv region is crucial to the Ukrainian market
The Coca-Cola production complex near Brovary has been in operation since 1998 and is one of the company’s largest facilities in Europe.
Prior to the attack, the following were in operation there 11 production lines, which produced fizzy drinks, water, juices, iced tea and energy drinks. Coca-Cola HBC is responsible for the production, bottling, sale and distribution of these products in Ukraine.
Following the Russian attack, the company reported only on the assessment of the damage and its cooperation with the relevant government bodies. Imports from neighbouring countries may therefore provide retailers with a temporary means of making up for shortages of certain items whilst Ukrainian production and warehousing logistics are being restored.
