PepsiCo Inc. has ended the production of its fizzy drinks in Russia, nearly six months after the US food and beverage giant announced plans to put its business in the country on hold following the invasion of Ukraine.
The Harrison, New York-based company stated that it had stopped making concentrates for Pepsi-Cola, Mirinda, 7Up, and Mountain Dew in Russia, where it has been operating for over 60 years and is its third-largest international market after the US and Mexico in 2021.
In 1971, PepsiCo’s colas were one of the few Western products brought into the Soviet Union before the country’s collapse in 1991.
PepsiCo Soda Sales in Russia Seem to Continue
A spokesperson for PepsiCo said the decision was in line with the soda maker’s announcement in March 2022, when it said it was suspending Pepsi-Cola and other global beverage brands’ sales and capital investments and advertising in the country.
However, the spokesperson did not comment on a sales update and whether they had been stopped as well.
With sales ongoing, PepsiCo’s fizzy drinks would remain available in Moscow, Vladivostok, and Krasnoyarsk.
Food and drink have not been included in Western sanctions that focused on restricting Russia due to its war in Ukraine. The continued availability, however, underscores how challenging it can be to pull back from one of the world’s largest countries.
Stores in Moscow earlier in the summer were still selling supplies of international beer brands, months after breweries announced their plans to discontinue production. PepsiCo’s rival Coca-Cola Co. also resumed business in Russia after hitting pause in March.
While the production of the company’s sodas has been halted, its other products remained available in Russia as part of its efforts to maintain its humanitarian responsibility.
PepsiCo continues to provide access to daily essentials in the country, including milk and other dairy products, baby formula, and baby food.
