"Coca-Cola to make diet drink options more available globally" by Candice Choi | Associated Press, May 09, 2013
NEW YORK — With sugary drinks often blamed for making people fat, Coca-Cola Co. has been more aggressive in trying to convince customers its products can be part of a healthy lifestyle....
The announcement from Coca-Cola comes as packaged food companies across the industry look for growth in emerging markets, where middle-class populations are growing rapidly.
Don't worry, Americans, that's not you.
As more people head to cities and see their incomes rise, health advocates have warned that growing consumption of packaged foods in such countries could fuel obesity rates as they have in developed nations.
The shifting populations around the world nevertheless represent an enormous opportunity for companies....
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"Coke plans major expansion of Fla. orange groves" by Tamara Lush | Associated Press, May 08, 2013
AUBURNDALE, Fla. — The Coca-Cola Co. says it is spending $2 billion to support the planting of 25,000 acres of new orange groves in Florida, a move officials are lauding as a major investment in the Sunshine State’s citrus industry.
Coca-Cola owns the Minute Maid and Simply juice brands.
‘‘It’s an investment in a market that’s very important to us,’’ said Steve Cahillane, the president of Coca-Cola Americas.
Some 5 million new trees will be planted in the new groves, believed to be the largest citrus addition in the state for at least 15 years. The groves will be located in Polk, DeSoto, and Hendry counties in central Florida.
Company officials say the new groves and resulting juice production are expected to add about 4,100 jobs to Florida’s economy.
The move also is seen as a boost to historically declining acreage devoted to citrus production in Florida. During the state’s past housing boom, many citrus farmers sold their land to developers. Since 1997, total citrus acreage has fallen by 25 percent, from 600,000 acres to 450,000 acres, because of disease, pests, and other pressures, according to Florida Citrus Mutual.
Coca-Cola officials said that the Florida Citrus Commission is working on an economic study centered on the company’s investment, and that a preliminary draft shows that over the course of 25 years the expansion will add more than $10.5 billion — or $422 million per year — to Florida’s economy. Company officials said Coca-Cola buys a third of all Florida oranges.
Cahillane said that the company also purchases juice from Brazil, Florida’s biggest competitor in the juice industry.
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