New York
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Attention, Topo Chico followers: Brace your self for a attainable scarcity that might stretch into the summer time.
Coca-Cola, which owns the carbonated mineral water model, mentioned the flagship product offered in glass bottles is “temporarily unavailable” within the United States as a result of of “facility upgrades at the water source and production facilities in Mexico,” a spokesperson instructed NCS.
Production has slowed over the previous two months as a result of of issues with the wells in Monterrey, Mexico, that supply the water, in accordance with a letter despatched by Coca-Cola to distributors and seen by NCS.
The firm mentioned within the letter that it not too long ago “identified additional challenges in the source wells, including quality issues related to the source’s geology” ensuing within the short-term stoppage of orders.
“We are now making further investments at the source to improve source stability and quality and enable increased production, requiring us to temporarily stop production,” Coca-Cola mentioned within the letter.
A Coca-Cola spokesperson instructed NCS the product can be “back later this year,” with the letter stating the product probably received’t return till the third quarter.
The drawback solely impacts the recognizable Topo Chico Mineral Water product, with different drinks — comparable to flavored glowing water known as Topo Chico Sabores and canned cocktails — nonetheless accessible.
Coca-Cola purchased Topo Chico in 2017 for $200 million and premium water is a key part of its business as drinkers shift away from sugary sodas. Water gross sales jumped 4% in its most up-to-date quarter, partly pushed by development in North America.