PepsiCo plans to treble beverage business in 5 yrs

CHENNAI: Food and beverages major, PepsiCo plans to triple its beverage business in the next five years, the company’s top official said.

“There are huge opportunities in the beverages segment. We are looking at expanding our portfolio of drinks, that will cater to people of all ages,” said Chennai-born Indra Nooyi, PepsiCo Chairman and CEO.

The company plans to launch a slew of products in the segment next year and also products to cater to hydration and overweight segments.

Responding to a query from reporters, Nooyi, who was visiting the PepsiCo-Exnora Waste Management Centre at Pammal, said globally non-carbonated soft drinks were growing significantly than the carbonated segment for the company.

Nooyi also said the commodity prices inflation was a major challenge for Pepsi. “Worldwide, grain prices have gone up. We have got to ensure as a company that uses grains, that we manage through this commodity inflation,” she said.

The chairman said the company wanted to replicate its citrus cultivation in Punjab and in other states, which would not only make oranges available throughout the year but also will help India reduce citrus fruits imports.

The company has a nursery in Punjab with about six lakh citrus saplings to cater to the company. “We want to replicate it in multiple states. India is a major centre for us for citrus products,” she said.

Pepsi also wanted to extend this concept to other product lines like corn. “This adds value to our products and also adds value to  the farmers,” she said.