In this article, we look at the 5 countries where Pepsi or Coca-Cola is not sold. You can read about the market penetration levels of these two powerhouses in the soft drinks industry by heading over to our article, 15 Countries where Pepsi or Coca-Cola is Not Sold.
5. Venezuela
Status: Limited Availability
Western sanctions and economic turmoil in Venezuela have disrupted operations of several international companies, including Coca-Cola, which has impacted the supply of soft drinks in the country. Coca-Cola temporarily ceased operations in Venezuela in 2016 due to a shortage of sugar in the country. In 2009, the Venezuelan government banned the sale of Coke Zero in Venezuela. Pepsi has also been at the receiving end of the economic turmoil. It generated revenues of only $326 million in 2015, while reporting massive charges worth $1.4 billion for operating in the country.
4. Yemen
Status: Limited Availability
Yemen has been under the grip of deadly civil unrest for a decade now, which has impeded the supply of various products. The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) has been a direct victim of the conflict. In 2015, its bottling factory in the capital Sanaa was destroyed in an airstrike led by Saudi coalition forces. Both Coca-Cola and Pepsi often face shortage in the local markets due to the law-and-order situation. Bootleg versions and black-market distributions are rampant in the country.
3. Russia
Status: Not Sold
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) and PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) announced in 2022 to leave the Russian market by ceasing operations, halting all investments and promotional activities, after Russia invaded Ukraine. This meant the drinks were no longer officially available in the country. However, the Greek company that bottled and sold Coca-Cola in Russia rebranded itself as Dobry Cola.
2. Cuba
Status: Not Sold
Cuba was the first country to import Coca-Cola in 1899. The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) also built its plant in the country in 1906. However, after the Cuban Revolution of 1962 and Castro’s government seizing assets of foreign companies, Coca-Cola ceased production and ended its ties to the Cuban market. PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) also does not operate in Cuba.
1. North Korea
Status: Not Sold
North Korea is another country where Coca-Cola or Pepsi is not sold due to its strained relations with the United States, and much of the larger world. The country has been facing American sanctions since the 1950s which were further tightened after North Korea’s aggression against South Korea in the 1980s. According to a report, however, Coca-Cola bottled in China often ends up in Pyongyang, bearing Chinese labels instead of the original Coca-Cola labels.
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