Indians Turn To Zero-Sugar Drinks As Coke, Pepsi Sales Surge
What Happened
Demand for zero- and low-sugar beverages surged in India during the July-September 2026 quarter. PepsiCo’s zero/low-sugar products rose to a record 88% of volumes from 44% a year earlier, while Coca-Cola’s diet and light drink sales also doubled year-on-year. For PepsiCo bottler Varun Beverages, the shift also helped offset higher sugar costs, while Coca-Cola continues to expand products including Coke Zero, Diet Coke, Sprite Zero and sugar-free Thums Up.
Key Takeaways
The sharp rise in zero-sugar sales signals a significant shift in India’s soft-drink mix, while also helping beverage companies reduce their exposure to expensive sugar.