PepsiCo and Coca-Cola bottlers in the West Bank are grappling with severe shortages of sugar and cans due to the extended closure of the Allenby Bridge, a crucial trade crossing between Jordan and the West Bank. The production output of the Pepsi plant, which once produced 60 million liters of beverages annually, has now dropped by 35%. Beyond supply shortages, Pepsi and Coca-Cola’s sales in the region have been further affected by consumer-led boycotts in some Muslim-majority countries, where local consumers have begun to shun US-based brands due to geopolitical tensions. A $25 million Coca-Cola plant was destroyed during the conflict, while a Pepsi bottling facility was severely damaged and ceased operations in October 2023. The Pepsi plant in Jericho, for instance, has reduced its workforce shifts from three to one, leaving only 200 employees at work.

Source: The Star October 18, 2024 08:32 UTC