After almost 60 years, Coca-Cola is on sale again in Burma. It's one of the world's most recognised brands, so are there any countries where the drinks giant still remains unsold?
Coca-Cola says it sells 1.8 billion servings of the drink every day. But for the last six decades, none has been in Burma.
That's because of US trade sanctions on the military junta which ruled the country from 1962 to 2011.
But the company said on Monday its first delivery had arrived and local production would begin soon.
Coca-Cola's entry into any country is a powerful symbol, says Tom Standage, author of A History of the World in Six Glasses.
"The moment Coca-Cola starts shipping is the moment you can say there might be real change going on here," he says. "Coca-Cola is the nearest thing to capitalism in a bottle."
Coca-Cola's rival PepsiCo has also announced plans to resume sales in Burma.
There are now just two countries in the world where Coca-Cola cannot be bought or sold - at least, not officially. They are Cuba and North Korea, which are both under long-term US trade embargoes (Cuba since 1962 and North Korea since 1950).
Cuba was actually one of the first three countries outside the US to bottle Coke, in 1906.
But the company moved out as Fidel Castro's government began seizing private assets in the 1960s, and has never returned.
In North Korea - the other Coca-Cola-free zone - recent media reports suggested it was being sold in a restaurant in Pyongyang. But Coca-Cola says if any drinks are being sold in either North Korea or Cuba, they are being smuggled in on the black market, not via official channels.
The dark fizzy soda was created in 1886 in Atlanta, Georgia. From the early days the Coca-Cola company looked to expand worldwide, and by the early 1900s it was bottling the drink in Asia and Europe.
But the big boost came as a result of World War II when Coca-Cola was provided to US troops overseas.
There were more than 60 military bottling plants for Coca-Cola around the world during the war, and locals got a taste for the drink too.
It became powerfully associated with American patriotism, says Standage, and was seen as so crucial to the war effort that it was exempted from sugar rationing.
Dwight Eisenhower, at the time the supreme commander of Allied forces in Europe, was said to be a particular fan and he ensured its availability in North Africa.
He also introduced the drink to top Soviet general, Georgy Zhukov, who asked if a special, colourless version - one that looked like vodka - could be made, and Coca-Cola duly obliged for a while, says Standage.
These days Coca-Cola is regularly ranked as one of the top, if not the top, global brands.
"It has always been about the American dream," says Bruce Webster, an independent branding consultant who has done work for the Coca-Cola company in the past.
But not all countries have embraced the American-ness that seems to be embodied by Coca-Cola.
It was the French who first coined the pejorative term "coca-colonisation" in the 1950s. Trucks were overturned and bottles smashed, says Standage, as protesters saw the drink as a threat to French society.
During the Cold War, Coca-Cola became a symbol of capitalism and a faultline between capitalism and communism, says Webster.
It was not marketed in the former Soviet Union due to the fear that profits would go straight into communist government coffers, says Standage.
Pepsi filled the gap and was widely sold.
When the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, many East Germans bought Coca-Cola by the crate-load, says Standage. "Drinking Coca-Cola became a symbol of freedom."
Other than the former Soviet Union, the main region that Coca-Cola has struggled in historically is the Middle East, largely due to a boycott implemented by the Arab League from 1968-1991, as a punishment for it selling in Israel.
Pepsi picked up a lot of the sales in the Middle East - and many local versions of the drink thrived.
Coca-Cola is not trying to get involved in politics, says Webster, but as a huge brand so closely associated with the US, it sometimes finds itself tangled up in politics, or singled out for criticism.
"The whole strength of the brand is plugging into a way of life that so many people wanted. As an ideology, it polarises. And sometimes those associations become unattractive," he says.
"America itself as a brand is more tarnished now. People are more ambiguous towards it."
In 2003, protesters in Thailand poured Coca-Cola onto the streets as a demonstration against the US-led invasion of Iraq, and sales were temporarily suspended, says Standage.
Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has threatened to ban Coca-Cola and Venezuela's Hugo Chavez recently urged people to drink locally-made fruit juice rather than drink Coca-Cola or Pepsi.
But 126 years after its birth, Coca-Cola is still pushing forward in terms of sales, with strong growth - especially, it says, in the emerging markets of India, China and Brazil.
Reporting by Cordelia Hebblethwaite. Taken from HERE
FACTS AND FIGURES
- Only two countries where Coca-Cola is not officially bought or sold - Cuba and North Korea
- This is due to trade embargoes with the US
- Coca-Cola says if any drinks are being sold in these countries, they are coming in via "unauthorised third parties"
Tricky markets
- China: After 10 years of negotiation, Coca-Cola re-entered the market in 1979
- USSR: Official sponsor for the World Ice Hockey Championship in Moscow in 1979
- East Germany: Coca-Cola employees handed out free cans of Coke during fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and re-entered market a year later
- India: Coca-Cola re-launched in 1993 a parade through central Calcutta
- Vietnam: The US lifted its embargo in 1994 and Coca-Cola returned soon after
- Burma: Began selling in Burma in 1927 but stopped in the 1960s after military junta took power, now sent its first shipment there
Global expansion
- The first Coca-Cola was served in 1886 at a pharmacy in Atlanta, Georgia
- Canada, Cuba and Panama became the first countries outside the US to bottle it in 1906
- Coca-Cola expanded to Asia, opened a bottling plant in the Philippines in 1912, and then in Paris and Bordeaux in 1919
- By 1930 Coca-Cola was bottled in 27 countries around the world.
- By 1959, it was operating in over 100 countries
Greetings, this is a kind of interesting article. I have just known that there are some countries that ban Coca Cola existence in their sovereign area. I believe it is a kind of great and good progress for Myanmar (Burma) in their Freedom Development Phase which is proven by the selling of Coca Cola there. It has been such long times for me to know and taste a kind of world brand drink that so called as Coca Cola. However, I don’t really like to drink it anymore ever since I have known the consequences of drinking that popular beverage. In one hand, Coca Cola has become a great phenomenon on earth; not just as a kind of beverage but also it is known as a National Identity. I was quite surprised to know that Coca Cola has become the US’ National Identity due to its usage in the World War. I believe many people can learn from the success story of Coca Cola, US people must be very happy due to its National Drink which is being drunk World Wide and has become the World’s Modern lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read the title of the article, I was, at the least, surprised. Who does not know Coca-Cola these days? It is, like the article says, one of the top, if not the top, of the global brands that exist today, and that, ladies and gentlemen, is something that is worthy to be marveled at.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was younger, I read these books about the history of Coca-Cola (in comic book form though; there's no way I would be reading all that in text) and boy was the process to be worldwide famous really long and tedious. I am still in awe though that the brand can spread into so many countries, and then nearly all of the world. Although North Korea (which is a communist country) and Cuba do not produce, sell or be bought by the local people, the acknowledgement of these fizzy bottled drinks is still a fact that Coca-Cola is widely known to all.
America says it is their biggest dream. But! Why, don't we all dream of having world-wide famous brands?
At first I was surprised to read the title of this article, I mean, Coca-cola is sold everywhere around the world. It is very famous and globalized; therefor I was surprised to learn that there are countries that do not sell it. But after I read that one of the country which do not sell Coca-cola is North Korea, I am not surprised at all. Because North Korea is a communist country and the Government has the strong power to control everything in the country including the market. Besides, the Coca-cola is not being sold there is because the US embargo that resulting in not having any trading at all with the country. It is undeniable that politics and economics are much related and influence one another. Therefore there were some countries that banned Coca-cola because of the politics relation of the countries with US was not good, more over because Coca-cola was said to be a symbol of Capitalism.
ReplyDeleteAs we know, Coca Cola is not only an American product now. It has evolved into a global product now that has been sold in global market. But it surprising for me that several countries don’t sell this product. But it is just because the embargo of United States, the country where the product comes from. Just like in case of North Korea and Cuba. It is pretty surprising to see that for several countries like France or former Soviet Union, Coca Cola seen as symbol of American colonialism for the former and the symbol of capitalism for the latter. It is like stating that hijab is a symbol of Arabian. It is amazing because a single brand of drink can be the symbol for a country and an ideology at the same time. Even though I think that this thing is just an exaggeration from the countries that hate United States of America and its colonialism.
ReplyDeleteBefore reading this article I would not have guessed that there is a single country not (officially at least) selling Coca-cola. Everywhere we go there just seems to be one. Coca-cola’s brand is so powerful these days and to me it represents America for some reason even though it is a global product. The only reason Coca-cola is not sold in every single country is because of trade embargoes with the US, imagine if the trade embargoes were lifted, Coca-cola would literally be everywhere in this world! I also find it interesting how the French made the term “Coca-colonisation” in the 1950s, smashing the bottles and overturning the trucks because they thought it would be a threat to the French society. It’s a pity though that Coca-cola is thought to be involved in politics just because they are branded or closely associated to America, when in fact they are just trying to make profit.
ReplyDeleteWhat I learned from the article is that Coca Cola is one of the most popular drinks in the world, and the company that can profit from my statement before to continuously spreading their products to dominate the market of soft drink in the world. Let me take it this way, when for example that you're needing some refreshment and decided to have some soft drink, I bet that you're looking for Coca Cola. So Coca Cola had already implanted on our minds that if you want to have a drink, you drink Coca Cola. For me that's quite excellent achievement for the company because they have a massive amount of loyal customer in all over the world, and to think about the profit that they're making.
ReplyDeleteThe popularity of this brand I think is based on the globalisation that's happening in all over the world. For example like Cuba and North Korea, they're not selling Coca-Colas because of the trade embargo with United States. Coca-Cola itself is like the embodiment of United States itself, so if we see the amount of western culture that happen on our country, obviously Coca-Cola is already stocking on your local supermarket.
Actually, as for official news which comes from the company, North Korea doesn’t sell coca-cola since 1950. But a YouTube video that surfaced in August 2012 seemed to show patrons of a restaurant in Pyongyang, North Korea, drinking Coca-Cola in October 2011. This sparked controversy because a US trade embargo has banned the sale of Coca-Cola in North Korea since 1950 – but ongoing sales there seem to be an open secret outside the United States.
ReplyDeleteThe pizza restaurant where the video was filmed is owned by Cortial, a joint venture between North Korea and Italy. Customers allegedly were told the soft drink was “Italian Coke,” but a screenshot from the video clearly shows Coca-Cola’s distinctive can and logo.
What does the company says about it? “Any products sold in the market have been purchased by unauthorized third parties and imported into the country from other markets where they were sold.”
Honestly, I’m surprised with the fact that Coca-Cola is banned in some countries. How come those people are not able to taste the greatness of Coca-Cola? However, we all agree that politics play huge part in this case. We can conclude that Coca-Cola is banned in those countries that probably become a “rival” of USA, in term of ideology, such as Cuba with socialism ideology and North Korea with communism ideology.
ReplyDeleteCoca-Cola is a great example how a global company can struggle through the conflict at overseas. In the case of Iraq, Coca-Cola has returned again to Iraq’s market after the massive protest against its product in Iraq. However, I believe Coca-Cola will get a heavy job to take profits in Iraq. The memory of Iraq that destroyed by USA ( Coca-Cola is a symbol of USA ) will never disappear from the mind of Iraqi people. Moreover, they have to fight with Pepsi that affiliates with Baghdad Soft Drinks Co.
It is not quite surprising that the two countries in the world that are not officially bought or sold Coca Cola are Cuba and North Korea. I would think that it was probably not only Coca Cola, but also all American goods. They do not buy and sell Coca Cola and other American commodities because they don’t like it. It is because of trade embargo with the US. This embargo for some time goes to certain countries in the world as well. But, every body likes Coca Cola I think.
ReplyDeleteWhat about in Indonesia ? The most famous slogan of Coca Cola in Indonesia is “dimana saja, kapan saja…Coca Cola” (anywhere, anytime…Coca Cola). In 1932, more than 80 years ago Coca Cola was produced for the first time in Indonesia. Since then, Coca Cola has become one of many foreign companies that made important economic contributions to Indonesia, in terms of providing employment opportunities, investment, and economic growth. According to Coca Cola, in 2013, the Coca Cola System in Indonesia employs over 8,000 people, operating out of 10 manufacturing facilities and over 100 distribution centers all over the country.
Similar to Coca Cola in other countries, as a big company, Coca Cola could not escape from the political reality in Indonesia.
I never know there are several countries that bann coca-cola like North Korea and Cuba. North Korea is a communist country. North Korea is closed for almost every country in the world. So after knowing that issue it is not a surprise for me anymore if they banned Coca-cola. Coca-cola was produced by American company. And America is “the motherboard” of capitalist country whole world. Moreover Coca-cola Brought the icon of America, what I mean is when you hear “Coca-cola” the first impression will you get is America. And I also agree it is not only because it impression but also politics. North Korea and Cuba are not a good friend of America. America and Cuba have a history relation in the past because in the cold war Cuba tried to lunch a nuclear missile to America. Whereas America still in try to apply American political way – Democracy but North Korea resists it.
ReplyDeleteSomeone said that Pepsi tastes better than Coca Cola. However, Coca Cola becomes more popular in the world than its competitor. Coca Cola is stored in almost every country in the world. Coca cola is the most soft drink that already in stock. It is easy to find. Wherever you go, you will find Coca Cola. Billions of bottle were sold every day. They have great marketing approach. Coca Cola is well known around the world. The Coca Cola Company becomes one of the top brands. It is a global brand. Nonetheless, there are few countries that are not selling Coca Cola. It is quite surprising for me. The political condition affects its economics. Many of them are under long term US trade embargoes. Even there is ideological reason over it. People assume that Coca Cola is the symbol of capitalism. It is associated to American patriotism. But these facts don’t make Coca Cola less popular.
ReplyDeleteSo, this is all about politics and business? Sometimes politics drive a nation into an insanity. They try everything they have got to win the war of politics from the greatest idea ever until the most ridiculous things ever. Anyway, if we’re looking at Coca-Cola and other soft drink from the health point of view, I think the prohibition of drinking soft drink is necessary. The disadvantage of drinking soda is a lot higher than the advantage of that. If I’m not mistaken there has already been a campaign about prohibiting soft drink, as it can damage your health. No matter what innovation those soft drink companies make, it has never been good for human health. Diet coke? I’ve never seen any slim man or woman who said that he/she is slim because of the diet coke. Zero sugar? What’s the point of drinking soda if we’re not getting any tasty feel? Moreover, Coca-Cola is an America product, I’m sure a prideful Great Britain people would think about using the USA product.
ReplyDeleteI am not surprised if coca cola nor sold in North Korea. Because my political teacher said that North Korea is strange country. Their people can't buy thing fir their personal own. Because all thing are provided by the government. Rice, clothes, even meats !. So, all North Korea people are eat meat equally. My teacher said that in North Korea there is no market. So, when someone do a transaction, it is a illegal market. And you know what, North Korea doesn't approve their people watch international tv , use internet ,and use lamp in the night. So , North Korea people don't know the global condition right now. It doesn't make sense to me. People are treats to loose their right. North Korea government is cruel. No market, no internet access, and no lamp ! Such hell. Google show me that , in the night, North Korea become very dark country compare to their neighboor "Seoul". There is no bright place. So, I wonder how can the North Korea student are studying ?. OMG so cruella devil.
ReplyDeleteCoca-Cola as a big brand in production of soft drinks throughout the world also has countries that they can’t even reach. Amazing news I just know when reading this article. I do know that Coca-Cola is well-known in every nations in the world maybe on earth for sure and it rival, PepsiCo, both of them rule the world with their beverage product. When I do my research, Google stated that Coca-Cola is the #1 selling soft drinks everywhere except Scotland and the Middle East. But in Burma, after long last 60 years, Coca-Cola has it permission to sell their product there. It is a new news because I don’t even know that in Burma their military junta not allowed US to sell their product there from 1962 to 2011. So based on the post above, I want to conclude that the countries that prohibited Coca-Cola to sell their product there is a communist country. So for the product like Coca-Cola that sell their product worldwide, because of this countries that prohibit them it means that Coca-Cola has lost some of their opportunity to gain more profit.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAnother article also written about Coca-Cola that Coca-Cola has also sparked a controversy with new plans to fund a £20 million anti-obesity fitness drive in 70 of the country’s parks (United Kingdom) .The global company says the new programme will mean thousands of free sessions and coaching for families, in activities such as tennis, basketball, hula-hooping, Zumba, rounders and archery. But the plans last night triggered immediate criticism, with nutrition campaigners accusing the company of an “obscene” attempt to distract from its own part in fuelling Britain obesity epidemic. For me the main issue here isn’t political, it is not about Coca-Cola as the symbol of Capitalism but the health issue is the most important thing. 1 bottle of Coca-Cola contain 140 calories, at a constant speed of 6 Kph burning 140 calories would need atleast 20 minutes of running. And we should not forget the ingredient for making Coca-Cola is not healthy for our body it contains a lot of chemicals.
ReplyDeleteWow! Unexpectedly surprising. I've never thought that this phenomenal drink has an interesting history. It's been through some controversies that related to politics, even though as mentioned above that it never wanted to get involved with politics. Coca-cola is so strong until it gets so many criticism. Some people can consider it as a symbol or icon of a certain group, faction, or any others. Based on the article, drinking Coca-cola was symbolized as freedom when the Berlin Wall fell. It's been considered as the symbol of capitalism also.
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine how big is the influence of Coca-cola soft drink for all this time? I personally think that this is a total success for the Coca-cola company. I mean, it's only a dark-colored fizzy water. It's not something very rich like juices, milk, or anything else. You better believe it, it doesn’t matter for me whether Coca-cola is available in my country or not. Because I really don’t drink Coca-cola. It’s like only one to three sips in a million years.
Coca Cola is one of the biggest corporations in this world. This article shows how huge coca cola’s market these days. Even pepsi, who has been a coca cola’s rival can’t beat coca cola’s power. We can find easily find coca cola’s product in every single country because of its demand in this world except only for 2 countries which is because of the United States trade embargo. I believe that if there were no trade embargo, coca cola would be in those countries such as North Korea and Cuba; because coca cola’s products are very acceptable for all people because its taste and the unlimited money for advertising the products. But, to reach its success like today, they went through a lot of peak and trough in the past. Therefore, to be successful we have to be more than 100% and should not stop without achieving something big. Without willing to be success, success won’t be reached.
ReplyDeleteCoca Cola sentiment is not a new thing for me because I read it somewhere before that just like this article where few countries doesn’t permit Coca Cola to sold their products in their country. This sentiment for Coca Cola is I think comes from the sentiment of the United States of America (USA). Many countries do have sentiment to the USA because of the political way of thinking and for the USA attitude to them. Coca Cola is not only the product of the USA but also symbolizes the power of the nation, I think this is normal because countries who doesn’t like the attitude of the USA will try to ban Coca Cola to show that USA product is prohibited because it will contradict with their ideologies. For me it is the field of politic and economics too, it might be sounds ridiculous and we laugh why these countries ban Coca Cola, but I understand them and give them some respect because of the courage they have against the USA, even though with the soft way rebellion.
ReplyDeleteCoca-cola company is the biggest and the most popular beverages company in the world. It offers hundreds of brands, including soft drinks, fruit juices, sports drinks and other beverages. We can find Coca-cola almost in every single part of the world. Even, we can find Coca-cola company’s product in every market in Indonesia. Nowdays, In Indonesia, there is an imitation drink that is very similar to Coca-cola called Big Colla. It is one of the prove that Coca-cola is very popular and almost all people are consuming it, So then they are trying to make a cheaper version. But beside all of those facts, there are still some countries which don’t sale Coca-cola such as Cuba and North Korea, However, I’m not surprised to know that Coca-cola is not available in North Korea because it is a communist country, and the government is the one who have the rights to control their market.
ReplyDeleteCoca-Cola, or Coke, as we know it, is a world-wide infamous brand that no one has ever heard of. People drink these fizzy bottled coke-colored drinks everyday- never mind the age, status or race. In fact, as we all acknowledge this, Coca-Cola is also served in fast food restaurants, namely McDonalds, KFC, and other well-known fast food restaurants that think that fried chicken and fizzy drinks go together and is a match made in heaven.
ReplyDeleteNow, this ban, I've never heard of. Countries banning the production or selling of Coca-Cola? What objective do they wish to see from this prohibition? Well, maybe except the fact that it will make people healthier (Too much Coke is never good for you), this prohibition will only make people crave for it more; like the black markets, for example, for taking in 'banned' fizzy drinks. It makes it sound like the whole thing is a drug.
I'm not surprised with the ban of Coca - Cola in North Korea and Cuba. I have heard it over a TV show sometimes about getting arrested for drinking Coca - Cola in Cuba. In North Korea, it's easy to think about it because North Korea is a socialist country. I'm actually surprised that Coca - Cola was involved in the making of history like the World War II and when the Berlin Wall goes down. It's an out-of-the-box way of thinking when Coca - Cola supplies the US Army with crates of the drink and even letting the local to have a drink, a great way to market the product worldwide. When the Berlin Wall goes down and everyone drink Coca - Cola it's like the advertisement they have been showing. Where everyone is happy and just drink it to feel the "freedom" of life. I think that is what Coca - Cola have been trying to implement in their advertisement, learning from the background in Berlin, they want us to taste the freedom.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that everything about Coca Cola is controversial . Moreover about the contents in it which still a secret until now . The other interesting part is Coca Cola played a major role in the past historical events , like it’s just a can of soda .And I think it doesn't matter if people in Cuba or North Korea can’t have it in their own country because they can order it online or go to the next state. Many sodas products have tasty taste more than Coca Cola . And even the Coca Cola’s maker makes different kind of Coca Cola for diet , it still taste the same as the original one.And I’ve read some facts that even though it’s less sugar but the Coca Cola for diet is more dangerous than the original one if you consume it regularly . Well,just because Coca Cola is the oldest brand that make Coca Cola still be a deity of all the sodas products.They did a good thing to banned Coca Cola,because we know that there is something strange about this product.
ReplyDeleteCoca-cola is the most popular drink in the world, so I think it is really weird if some countries do not allowed coca-cola to sell their product there. When I see the countries that do not allowed coca-cola to sell there product are Cuba and North Korea , I am not surprise because of trade embargoes with the US , but I think is not only coca-cola there must be a lot of US product that do not allowed to sell their product there. The article above also shown that coca-cola using some tricks to get their product into a country such as with USSR coca-cola become the official sponsor for the world ice hockey championship in 1979 in Moscow, I think this is really great trick of marketing because many people around the world watch this and then many people see coca cola product then their will buy coca cola product.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all I think this article is a good article because it open our mind about this idea I personally think that most of people nowadays love to drink coca cola or at least they know about coca cola. I think Coca Cola is a very famous drink pr soft drink around the world. I think Coca Cola is famous because they brand often seen on a movie and most of their commercial break are interesting. Based on this article the country that doesnt sell Coca Cola are having a bad history with America and Coca Cola comes from Amerika too. But from the positive way, we could see that those who drink less softdrink are healthier than the others who drink soft drink more often. So not selling Coca Cola is not a bad thing. It could be one of the government's way to protect their civil to be healthier.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that I was a little bit surprised after reading this article. I never knew that there was a story behind Coca-Cola that seems to me it’s just an ordinary soft drink. Right now Coca-Cola is being titled as the top global brands. But before Coca-Cola achieved its success, it had to face several difficulties. One of the problems that Coca-Cola had to faced is; back then, their products were prohibited in several countries. This kind of prohibition might happened because those countries assumed Coca-Cola as the symbol of America and it is considered as a threat to its society. In some article we can also find that there is a risk if we consume too much Coca-Cola because it has several potential negative health effects related to ingredients added to it. Although with all those problems they had, Coca-Cola can cope with it and can gain its success like right now. The example of their success is, with over than a hundred countries in this world, it’s really shocking to know that there are only two countries that ban Coca-Cola to sell its products in their country, namely: Cuba and North Korea.
ReplyDeleteIf capitalism was a religion, its twin prophets would be McDonald's and Coca-Cola. They would come bearing gifts of fat and sugar, and whole cultures would bow down before them, entranced by this exotic opium which delivers them supreme happiness without any immediate side effects. At the end of time, the two horsemen of the apocalypse, Obesity and Diabetes, will come and select those who have proven themselves truly worthy for their place in Junk Food Kingdom. Many will fail the selection as they regain their sanity and realize that eating such things, given their composition, is insane. These rejects and heretics will be cast out into the wilderness of homecooked food with their bland tastes and healthy nutrition, and they will decry those who faithfully stayed to the True American Way of Burgers, Fries and Cola. But the true adherents will not mind this. They will be busy consummating their blessing as the twin prophets of McD and Coke spread their influence throughout the globe.
ReplyDeleteFirst we have the Big Mac Index to measure purchasing power parity among nations. It seems that the Coca Cola Index of Liberty is coming soon. I'm excited to see what that would reveal.
I think Coca-Cola can not sell their product in Cuba and North Korea is because of their both policy to prevent United States product and they prohibited any other product from United States too and also for North Korea they prohibited any other products from another countries.
ReplyDeleteCoca-Cola is very tasty and great. However, it is not healthy at all, and I think our government should prevent Coca-Cola’s corporation to sell their product in our country. If our government prevent them. yes they will some chaos happen from Coca-Cola’s fans and our friendship with United States will in jeopardy, but the good for the best, our countries will be united to make our own Coca-Cola maybe make it healthier version of that drink, and it will be really good for us, it will pump up our economics section and our citizens medical situation. Of course somehow we will export our own version of Coca-Cola.
Interesting to know that coca – cola is not available to be bought or sold in every country. They might severe loss from a great taste of coca – cola, I’m not a big fan of coca – cola and I only drink it occasionally. It might be true coca – cola has become the national identity of United States, as it contain an important history of how coca – cola are supplied for the U.S. troops during World War 2 overseas. Where this is also the beginning how coca – cola are widely known worldwide. As time goes by coca – cola are able to re-enter the markets worldwide. Except these two countries; Cuba and North Korea are not permitted to carry on with any transaction of coca – cola, due to trade embargoes with the U.S. The only way to consume coca – cola in these countries is through a purchase from unauthorized third parties or black market.
ReplyDelete“Only two countries where Coca-Cola is not officially bought or sold - Cuba and North Korea” Actually I’m not really surprised that Coca-Cola is not selling in every country of the world and I expected more than two countries where Coca-Cola is not officially bought or sold. Coca-Cola is being associated with America. Therefore, I thought that countries who really do not like America e.g. Russia, or Arab countries would restrict or limit the sales of Coca-Cola. Recently I went to Cambodia for travelling. There I experienced a real Coca-Cola culture. I have never been to a country before, where the brand was so representative. There were advertisements and trucks everywhere and on the streets of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap there were small motorbike- and bicycle shops only selling Coca-Cola. The article also says that Coca-Cola was booming during World War Second. Also during the time of Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, the brand was booming. I saw a movie, The Killing Fields, based on a true story, and Coca-Cola was present in the movie several times. Probably the brand was the sponsor of the movie and that is why they pushed it too hard. But in the museum you I could also see pictures where a Coca-Cola bottle or advertisement was somewhere in the background of a picture.
ReplyDeleteCoca-Cola is a soda can that is popular in this world. Almost every country sell this kind of soft drink, but there are two countries that don’t sell this kind of beverage. Actually, I haven’t known until I read this article about Coca-Cola is not sold in several countries such as Cuba and North Korea. Coca Cola is a brand owned by United State, I think that is the reason why North Korea and Cuba don’t buy and sell Coca Cola because they have an internal conflict of their country. I think if Coca Cola is not sold in several countries, it is actually political problem because we don’t know exactly the main reason why it is not sold there. In my opinion, if Coca Cola is not sold in a country, it will increase local brand drink in this case soft drink, and I think not only Coca Cola but any other international brands that are not sold in a country, it will help the local brand to be more recognized in a country.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first read the title of the post, I could only think of one country which was one of the two countries that turns out to not officially bought or sold Coca-Cola. I'm not a big fan of it, have never been really, but I do know that Coca-Cola is a very well-known brand around the world. And from reading a comic book about the history of Coca-Cola, I learned that it was a long journey before they finally earned their success, and become one of the most popular drink in the world. It is inevitable that they're linked with the country where they first manufactured and got well-known, and tied to the law there as well, which unable them to market their products in countries who doesn't really have a good relationships with it. But then because of that, another company that have similar products could take this opportunity to win the heart of the people of the country in which Coca-Cola aren't sold.
ReplyDeleteWow it is kinda surprising to know that there are countries in which Coca Cola is unsold, well at least not officially. Because as far I know, this American soft drink brand could be found almost in every part in the world. Even when I went to rural area where electricity was very limited and signal was hard to find, almost every stall had Coca Cola. It is never inconvenient or over priced. No offense, but I have ever read somewhere that even the kids in ethiopia, who have no food or clean clothes, drink coca cola. Now I know that Coca Cola does not have the whole world covered yet. But if we are looking at their aggresive marketing and amazing distribution, I think with that kind of quite literally insane management they will be able to push their product to be sold all over the world including Cuba and North Korea.
ReplyDeleteSuch an unexpected history from coca cola. Coca cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines throughout the world. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company. I think consuming coca cola already becoming a lifestyle for everybody. And it’s no surprise to hear that there are no coca cola in Cuba and North Korea. Cuba and North Korea are socialist country which the market are not as free as other country. Internal conflict between these country and US also may also be the reason. I think politics and economic activities cannot be separated. Especially countries with different economic and politic ideologies will also have a different public policies. That’s why I personally think that the coca cola company already understand that this is the part of business risks they will have to face. With the difference policies in each country in the world, the trade and global market have more risks.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I’m quite surprise with the fact that Coca-cola is not sold in certain countries such as Cuba and North Korea. I mean, Coca-cola is a global product that you can find everywhere, so how come it is not available in certain countries? Then I found out from the article above that Coca-cola is not available in Cuba and North Korea because of a long-term US trade embargoes since 1962 (Cuba) and 1950 (North Korea). In Indonesia, you can buy Coca-cola in supermarket, restaurant, or even in a small shop. Coca cola becoming the most desired soft drink and the greatest number in selling. I didn’t totally agree with the statement that “Coca-cola is the nearest thing to capitalism in a bottle”. Is there any prove regarding this statement? I think the company wants to go global simply because they want to make profit. And I think it’s a pity that it is considered to be involved in politics just because it is a product of United States.
ReplyDeleteThe Coca Cola Company has shown us the greatest marketing strategy that ever implement by a company such like mcDonald strategy to place their restaurants in every cross road on the main street. Coca cola has become a symbol of United States' colonialism and capitalism. In my thoughts it is normal when certain countries denied to sell coca cola because of that symbol of capitalism, this caused by some countries has different Ideology. Embargoing the US economies activity from your country is a right for each country. No worries for the US, especially The Coca Cola Company, although certain countries not allow them to market their product, they still has a huge consumer around the world
ReplyDeleteThe Coca Cola Company has shown us the greatest marketing strategy that ever implement by a company such like mcDonald strategy to place their restaurants in every cross road on the main street. Coca cola has become a symbol of United States' colonialism and capitalism. In my thoughts it is normal when certain countries denied to sell coca cola because of that symbol of capitalism, this caused by some countries has different Ideology. Embargoing the US economies activity from your country is a right for each country. No worries for the US, especially The Coca Cola Company, although certain countries not allow them to market their product, they still has a huge consumer around the world
ReplyDeleteAs all of us know, Coca-Cola is a well-known and remarkable soft drink brand. Before, I presume that Coca Cola is available everywhere. After reading this article, I now understand how difficult for Coca Cola to enter some markets; it failed to enter markets in Cuba and North Korea. Coca Cola is a representative symbol of freedom and joy. Just imagine the feeling of liberation expressed by the East German when the Berlin wall fell. They celebrate it by buying loads of crates of Coca Cola to mark the historical moment. Coca Cola advertise their product by creating special advertisements related to a celebration or event such as the holy month of Ramadan, National Independence Day and 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. All of those events have an immersive attribute of joy and sense of freedom inside it. That is why Coca Cola advertised their product by using special advertisements.
ReplyDeleteCuban and North Korean markets are the biggest obstacle faced by Coca Cola in order to be officially available in every country around the world. These countries have a tense relationship with USA and the policy from Cuba, North Korea, and USA itself does not ease Coca Cola in selling their products there. If only those countries modify some of their policy, Coca Cola might be able to be officially and virtually found everywhere around the world.
My introductory business lecturer has taken quite a shine to the Coca Cola Company. Specifically, he commends their mastery of product distribution. Wherever you go, they go to great lengths to make absolutely sure that an ice cold bottle of coca cola is never beyond a stone’s throw away. Mind you if you do happen to live in the aforementioned countries of Cuba or the Republic of North Korea, it is advisable to polish up on your throwing. The fact that these countries are still void of Coke is proper eyebrow raising stuff, but perhaps predictable considering they are not what you would call fans of American influence in the slightest. According to my business lecturer, Coca Cola receives eighty percent of its sales offshore from native USA, which is percentage far greater than the rest of the examples on display. That shows just how well they have marketed and distributed their fizzy drink across the many different mentalities and pallets the other countries of the world encompasses.
ReplyDeleteThe presence of Coca Cola Company in drinking industries does not have to be asked anymore. Almost everyone knows about Coca Cola drinking product. Nearly every beverage stall is sold Coca Cola in any form of packages.
ReplyDeleteWondering with this article said that there are countries which prohibited the sale of Coca Cola. If it is looked from the economic benefits; it affects national income of each country. The vague reasons are likely law, country’s perspective, or problem from Coca Cola industry itself. For instance, Cuba and North Korea, the article explained in those countries Coca Cola are not sold; but notice there is “unofficially” word that makes us puzzled.
On the other case, try looking at the presence of Coca Cola in Indonesia. Probably, Common people would think there is no peculiarity. However, economies experts realize that the sale of Coca Cola is not like as it supposed to be. A lot of issues which make Coca Cola industry begin doubting about the sales continuation of its product.
Yes, you can say that coca cola is a huge brand that is known globally by the whole world. You can also say that almost the entire population on this world had tasted coca cola. I think coca cola is not only becoming a symbol of America in the eyes of the world, but also as a lifestyle that everyone always dreamt of. The thing is, underneath its sugary goodness, coca cola purpose a serious threat towards our health. Its sugar level and soda can be a serious problem to your health if you drink coca cola on a daily basis. It can make you have a disease that never crossed on anyone’s mind, and it has spread through the entire world. It is obesity. And the soda can damaged your bone in a way, so that your bone began to lose it firmness and can break easily when you carry heavy things. So better think it again before you drink it.
ReplyDeleteWhen a business branding their product, the only purposes are to brainwash the consumer mind and be the signal uniform of quality. Coca-Cola is one of 'magic' beverages back in the old days. When they brew the Coca-Cola and lifted up into the next level of business, it is not surprising anyone because of their tremendous in satisfying consumer needs of un-ordinary product. Even in some western places, mineral water has been ousted to Coca-Cola. But who isn't surprised that in fact, some countries are not able to get these beverages? But in my opinion, an embargo for some places are nothing compared with what Coca-Cola has collected in many years of doing the business. Oversee in the future, if those embargoes are lifted up, indeed Coca-Cola will get much more revenue in just a short time because before it Coca-Cola was very rare and vague of their existing. They will be neutralizers of these many years for being stiff in culture globalization in that country. Not just a drink, Coca-Cola also will be a new identity of pop culture and change the way they express Coca-Cola itself.
ReplyDeleteMost of people when hearing about the word “soft drink” will be directed think about Coca-Cola. Coca-Cola is one of the products that become globalized or well known in most of all countries in the world. It is not surprising me that North Korea and Cuba do not know about this soft drink or may be never taste this soft drink before. What I know about North Korea is the government provides and decides everything to its citizens. I assume that everyone knows the conflict between America and Cuba. I can see a huge relation between economics and politics. The trade embargo in these two countries with US is to become the main reason. The banning policy may be due to their ideologies and history. The history brings them to be “anti” with one another, not only in terms of political corporation but also in terms of trading. There is always a story behind a big or successful company; and Coca-Cola becomes the most interesting one.
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ReplyDeleteI was a bit surprised knowing there are several countries that are not selling coca cola. Coca cola is most commonly sold in the countries around the world. However, US trade embargoes has banned several countries in selling US products such as coca cola as the economic sanction of disapproval over one another. Actually, no wonder why coca cola is not officially sold in Cuba and North Korea due to its communism in those countries. However, this should not be a big deal because “The beverage itself is an absolute poison to the human metabolism. Coke is very acidic, it’s only one point higher on the pH scale than battery acid. Consequently it can clean surfaces equivalent to and often better than many toxic household cleaners.” This may never frighten anyone’s perception because the sensation after drinking a coke could freshen their mind. This company only have a purpose of getting profit regardless concerning about people’s health in the next coming years after drinking this extremely unhealthy drink.
ReplyDeleteWow I never knew that there were countries that does not sell coca cola. I mean coca cola is one of the best drinks in the world. Everybody drinks it. From the old to the young. From the sick to the healthy (well I always drink coke when I’m sick). All religion can drink it so why did north Korea and Cuba not sell it? it could help them in increasing their countries economy. Well but what can we all say? Coca cola may be considered as a pop culture or a will be pop culture that will be the ‘in’ thing. And we know that pop culture tends to change people’s perspective on a lot of stuff. More ever we know that communist country does not like new stuff especially stuff that can change the mind of its people. Well as they say there is a story behind everything.
ReplyDeleteHere's an interesting comment by 2014 EWS'ter Joshua Priasdika:
ReplyDeleteIf capitalism was a religion, its twin prophets would be McDonald's and Coca-Cola. They would come bearing gifts of fat and sugar, and whole cultures would bow down before them, entranced by this exotic opium which delivers them supreme happiness without any immediate side effects.
At the end of time, the two horsemen of the apocalypse, Obesity and Diabetes, will come and select those who have proven themselves truly worthy for their place in Junk Food Kingdom. Many will fail the selection as they regain their sanity and realize that eating such things, given their composition, is insane. These rejects and heretics will be cast out into the wilderness of homecooked food with their bland tastes and healthy nutrition, and they will decry those who faithfully stayed to the True American Way of Burgers, Fries and Cola.
But the true adherents will not mind this. They will be busy consummating their blessing as the twin prophets of McD and Coke spread their influence throughout the globe.
First we have the Big Mac Index to measure purchasing power parity among nations. It seems that the Coca Cola Index of Liberty is coming soon. I'm excited to see what that would reveal.