Coke to add apple, mixed fruit juice to 'Minute Maid' range

Beverage giant Coca-Cola is looking at expanding its fruit-based drinks portfolio by adding apple and mixed-fruit juice in its range.

"Coca-Cola India is currently test marketing Minute Maid apple juice and Minute Maid mixed-fruit juice in Kolkata," company president Atul Singh told reporters in New Delhi. The company currently sells orange and lime juices under its 'Minute Maid' brand.

Singh said Coca-Cola initiated test marketing for the apple and mixed-fruit juices around three months ago. He, however, declined to give details regarding when the company would introduce the new juices in other parts of the country.

Speaking about the company's performance, he said it has been a good year for them and sales have increased by 29 per cent in the first calendar quarter.

Asked about the softening of sugar prices and its impact on prices of products in the country, he said: "Sugar is not the only variable and there are many other variables on which the prices depend ...we are continuously evaluating the options."