24 July, 2008 - Coca-Cola has cut the size of its cans by 7% in Hong Kong because of the soaring cost of raw materials.
Kenth Kaerhoeg, communications director for Coca-Cola Asia Pacific, confirmed the move was due to the rising cost of aluminium, the material used in the manufacture of its soft drinks cans.
One supermarket chain in Hong Kong reported that while the size of the cans had decreased, the prices remained the same.
The price of aluminium has jumped 25% in 2008 as power shortages in China have led to a reduction in output.
The drinks giant has decreased the size of its cans from 355ml to 330ml, with Coca-Cola, Coke Light, Coke Zero, Coke with lemon flavour, Fanta, Sprite, Sprite Zero and Schweppes Cream Soda all affected.
Kaerhoeg said the move would bring can sizes into line with those in Europe. No comment was made on whether the move would be rolled out across Coca-Cola’s other Asian markets.
The company posted a second quarter sales increase of 13% in Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Macau.