The Coca‑Cola Company today reported strong second quarter 2021 results and year-to-date performance.

“Our results in the second quarter show how our business is rebounding faster than the overall economic recovery, led by our accelerated transformation. As a result, we are encouraged and, despite the asynchronous nature of the recovery, we are raising our full year guidance,” said James Quincey, Chairman and CEO of The Coca‑Cola Company. “We are executing against our growth plans and our system is aligned. We are better equipped than ever to win in this growing, vibrant industry and to accelerate value creation for our stakeholders.” 

Global unit case volume benefited from the on-going recovery in many markets, partially offset by the impact of a resurgence of the coronavirus in several markets. As a result, when compared to 2019 volume levels, second quarter volume growth was in line with the first quarter of 2021. The company saw away-from-home channels rebound as restrictions eased in certain markets, driving value across the enterprise and leading to second quarter revenues ahead of the 2019 level.

While coronavirus-related uncertainty continues, the company remains agile in order to execute on its strategic priorities and build on the work that has been done in the past year to navigate an asynchronous recovery.

Unit case volume grew 18% in the quarter, resulting in even performance on a two-year basis, driven by the ongoing recovery in markets where coronavirus-related uncertainty is abating along with the benefit from cycling the impact of the coronavirus pandemic last year. Both developed and developing and emerging markets led the recovery, and both grew double digits in the quarter.

Markets such as China, Brazil and Nigeria grew volume ahead of 2019 levels while other markets, including India, continued to be under pressure versus 2019, driven by the continued impact of the coronavirus pandemic. 
Category performance was as follows:

• Sparkling soft drinks grew 14%, led by strong growth in the United States, India and Brazil. Trademark Coca‑Cola grew 12%, resulting in volume ahead of the 2019 level, led by Europe, Middle East & Africa and Latin America. Sparkling flavours grew 18%, led by solid growth in both Trademark Sprite and Trademark Fanta.
• Nutrition, juice, dairy and plant-based beverages grew 25% due to solid performance by Minute Maid and fairlife in North America, Minute Maid Pulpy in China and Maaza in India.
• Hydration, sports, coffee and tea grew 25%. Hydration grew 21%, with double-digit growth across all geographic operating segments. Sports drinks grew 35%, resulting in volume ahead of the 2019 level, primarily driven by Powerade in North America. Tea grew 18%, led by growth in the United States, Japan and Brazil. Coffee grew 78%, primarily driven by the reopening of Costa retail stores in the United Kingdom.

Overall, in terms of 2021, the company expects to deliver organic revenue (non-GAAP) growth of 12% to 14%.