Coca-Cola to challenge PepsiCo in dairy?

By: Michelle Russell - 11 February 2011 15:34

While PepsiCo is looking to build its presence in dairy with the recent acquisition of a 77% stake in Wimm-Bill-Dann (WBD), arch rival The Coca-Cola Co has indicated its interest in the category.

PepsiCo yesterday (11 February) repeated its confidence in WBD, which it purchased in December last year for US$3.8bn.

Speaking on an earnings call, CFO Hugh Johnston told analysts: "We're excited about the benefits Wimm-Bill-Dann brings to our Eastern European business in terms of scale, operating capability and the expansion of our product portfolio, and we're equally excited about establishing a meaningful foothold in the fast-growing value-added dairy category."

However, in an interview with Bloomberg on Wednesday, Coca-Cola CEO Muhtar Kent said the firm will put "a lot of effort" into dairy drinks in conjunction with its growing juice business.

Coca-Cola's Minute Maid unit already sells a dairy and juice drink in China called Pulpy Super Milky.

No doubt Coca-Cola will look to build on this and really stir up the dairy drinks market.