Diet Coke Price Hike in India: Middle East Crisis Impacts Costs

Good news for your taste buds, bad news for your wallet: your go-to Diet Coke just got a little pricier in India. Coca-Cola has upped the cost by over 10% and even changed can sizes, all thanks to some serious global supply chain drama.

This means your favorite zero-calorie fizz is now a bigger splurge, directly impacted by ongoing geopolitical tensions far from your shopping cart.

The New Numbers on Your Refreshment

Here’s how the price change shakes out for your next Diet Coke run:

• The 300-ml can, which used to cost Rs 40, is no longer available.
• It’s been replaced by a 330-ml can, now priced at Rs 50.
• This represents a 13.6% increase in cost per milliliter for consumers.
• Some Indian bottlers are even selling Diet Coke in pricier 200-ml glass bottles as an alternative.

These adjustments directly reflect the company’s struggle to source materials, forcing them to pass on higher costs.

Why Diet Coke Felt the Pinch

The main culprit behind these changes is a major disruption in the supply of aluminium cans. This issue stems from the ongoing Middle East turmoil, particularly the US-Israeli war on Iran.

The critical Strait of Hormuz, a key route for these materials to reach India, has been effectively closed. This forced Coca-Cola to find more expensive, larger-sized cans from Southeast Asia instead.

Diet Coke in India is particularly vulnerable because it’s primarily sold in cans, unlike other markets where different formats are more common. Despite the scarcity and price hikes, Diet Coke remains super popular among health-conscious consumers, even sparking trends like “Diet Coke parties.”

Interestingly, its sibling, Coke Zero, isn’t facing the same level of impact, as it’s readily available in both plastic bottles and cans, offering more flexibility in its supply chain.