La Coca-Cola confirmed, on the occasion of the publication of the second quarter results, which will be launched in the autumn United States a version based on sugar cane which will join the one made with high-fructose corn syrup. "This addition is designed to complement the group's strong core portfolio and offer more choice for all occasions and preferences," the company, based in New York, said in a statement. Atlanta, without providing further details. "As part of our ongoing innovation program, the group intends to launch a product containing American cane sugar in the United States this fall to expand the range of Coca-Cola brand products," the company simply explained. It all stems from the post that the US president, Donald Trump (big consumer of Diet Coke), published on July 16th on Truth, stating that Coca-Cola had agreed – at his request – to change the composition of production in the United States, using “real cane sugar.”
Coca-Cola: Second Quarter Results
Meanwhile, on the front accountsCoca-Cola announced that it closed the second quarter of the year with a earnings per share jumped 58% to $0,88. The Net revenues grew by 1% to $12,5 billion; operating margin, according to the US company's statement, was 34,1%, while the comparable operating margin (non-GAAP) was 34,7%. The operating margin performance took into account items that had an impact on comparability, as well as an unfavorable exchange rate factor.
“In an ever-changing external environment in the second quarter, our system's ability to remain focused and flexible allowed us to stay on track in the first half of the year,” he said. james quincey, Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company. “We continue to operate with clear purpose on our priorities and are confident in our trajectory to achieve our updated 2025 guidance and long-term goals.”
Coca-Cola: A cane sugar version coming this fall
But why has there been so much talk about Coca Cola in the last week? sugar caneIt must be said that the agri-food giant uses classic sucrose in Europe while American consumers are offered the sweetened drink with high fructose corn syrup.
"I've discussed using real cane sugar in Coca-Cola in the United States with Coca-Cola, and they've agreed," Trump wrote on his social media account. "I'd like to thank everyone at Coca-Cola. It's going to be a great decision on their part, you'll see, it's just better!" he concluded with a jubilant rejoicing. "We appreciate President Trump's enthusiasm for our iconic brand," the American company then commented on its website.
Coca-Cola and Corn Syrup: Iowa, Trump's Electoral Basin
Corn syrup became popular in the United States in the 70s thanks to government subsidies to corn producers and high tariffs on cane sugar.
Now, if Coca-Cola had opted for a replacement tout court of corn syrup, it would have been a decision that could have had repercussions on corn producers in the "Corn Belt", a region of the Midwest that, however, represents an important electoral basin for Donald Trump. The risk, in fact, would have been that of causing prices to rise dramatically and, above all, of hitting the producers themselves like a cyclone (who, in any case, use part of the corn to produce also biofuel): in danger – the alarm had already been raised by the trade association – there would have been thousands of jobs in the agricultural sector. Geographically, the one to pay the highest price would be theIowa, the largest corn producer, which is also a state that voted for Trump in all three of his races for the White House. Instead, the state would have benefited Florida St, a major producer of cane sugar and a Republican bastion.
Coca-Cola: Cane sugar imported from Brazil. What about tariffs?
But the point is that the United States imports a lot of the cane sugar it uses, especially from Brazil, a country on which the president has imposed 50% duties. Here because many have defined it as "paradoxical" the policy pursued by the US president. American consumers sometimes have access to Mexican Coca-Cola, already made with cane sugar, sold at a higher price in some stores because it is considered to have a better taste.
Trump and his passion for Diet Coke
Trump, for his part, is an avid consumer of Diet Coke, sweetened with Aspartame, a compound considered "potentially carcinogenic" by experts at the WHO (World Health Organization). But despite this passion for Diet Coke – the tycoon has a button on the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office for express delivery – Trump hasn't always had an easy relationship with Coca-ColaIn 2021, the company criticized Republicans' attempt to restrict voting access in Georgia, drawing the president's ire. In 2012, the tycoon accused Diet Coke of being linked to weight gain, before reassuring that he would continue "drinking that garbage." In January, shortly before his second swearing-in, the president received a commemorative Diet Coke bottle from the company, which succeeded in reviving their relationship.
Coca-Cola: when and how it was born
Born in one Atlanta Pharmacy, Coca Cola has become a worldwide cult and, despite the years, it has never lost its charm and its appeal not even in front of the health-conscious consumer momentumThe ingredients of Coca-Cola are known but not the doses, and this shrouds its recipe in mystery. Created around the 1880 Created as a medicinal drink by Confederate Colonel John Pemberton to combat his morphine addiction, Coca-Cola initially included cocaine among its ingredients. However, the recipe has changed over the decades, resulting in the bubbly beverage loved and/or criticized around the world today.
