Coca-Cola Targets More Billion-Dollar Brands in India Amid Strong Demand

Coca-Cola, the world’s leading beverage company, anticipates adding more Indian brands to its elite billion-dollar club, as confirmed by executive vice president and chief operating officer Henrique Braun on Thursday.

Speaking about the brand’s strong performance in India, Braun said, “The company has three billion-dollar brands in India, including Thums Up, Maaza and Sprite, with the market being vibrant and demand resilient.”

India currently accounts for three of Coca-Cola’s billion-dollar brands, reflecting the growing strength of the country’s packaged beverage industry. Braun highlighted that the company holds seven of the top ten beverage brands in India and intends to further expand its portfolio in the country.

India’s Market Potential: A Long-Term Growth Bet

Coca-Cola has achieved a total of 30 billion-dollar brands globally. Coca-Cola’s chief operating officer Henrique Braun explained, “We have today 30 billion-dollar brands (globally), of which 15 were built organically and 15 we acquired and built into billion-dollar brands over the years.” Expressing strong optimism about India’s market potential, he added, “I have no doubt that we will have another one coming in the future because we believe in the vibrance of the country and the industry.”

Limca Close to Joining Billion-Dollar Club

According to industry sources, Coca-Cola's iconic Limca brand, a lime and lemony soft drink originally acquired from Ramesh Chauhan in 1993, is on the verge of joining the billion-dollar club in India. As per the company’s data released on Wednesday, Limca has crossed Rs 2,800 crore in revenue in 2024, further strengthening its position in the market alongside Thums Up, Maaza, and Sprite.

India’s Beverage Market: Under-Penetrated Yet Promising

India is currently Coca-Cola’s fifth-largest market by volume, but Braun sees vast headroom for growth. He emphasized the relatively low penetration of packaged beverages, noting the potential to tap into an even larger customer base. “It is never a straight line, but if you compare year-on-year, the bigger the time frame, the better you are going to understand what is going on. There are different bases, but the demand creation opportunity is still there,” he said.

However, carbonated drinks in India are taxed heavily, with a 28% Goods and Services Tax (GST) and a 12% cess, posing some growth challenges in this segment.

Future Plans: Building for Sustainable Growth

Braun stressed Coca-Cola’s long-term strategy for India, stating, “India is very important. It’s our fifth growth market in terms of volume. And we believe that we’re building the right foundations to have sustainable growth for the future.”

In addition to scaling domestic brands, Coca-Cola may also introduce more of its global products to Indian consumers to further diversify its offering. Braun reiterated the company's commitment: “The company is putting the building blocks in place for the future.”

Conclusion: Coca-Cola Strengthens Its Foothold in India’s Beverage Boom

Coca-Cola’s strategic focus on India reflects the country’s critical role in the global beverage landscape. With Limca nearing the billion-dollar milestone and a resilient demand environment, the brand is setting the stage for sustainable, long-term growth. As Coca-Cola continues to expand its brand portfolio and explore opportunities in the under-penetrated Indian market, it is laying a strong foundation for future billion-dollar success stories in the region.