Diet Coke loses its fizz in India as Iran war hits can supply

The Iran war has caused a shortage of Diet Coke in India, where it is sold only in aluminium cans that have run short because of delayed shipments from the Gulf caused by the Iran war.



The Gulf accounts for around 9 per cent of global aluminium production, which has been trapped since the end of February by Iran’s de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.



While most soft drinks are sold in India both in plastic bottles and cans, Diet Coke is sold only in cans. Two Coca-Cola distributors told Reuters on April 22 that the company had notified them it was rationing supplies or not fulfilling some orders due to a can shortage caused by the war.



"We've been placing orders but have been told there is a shortage due to war," said Mr Sanjay, one of the distributors, who declined to give his last name.



The drinks giant counts India as a major growth market. It reported sales of 50 billion rupees in 2024 to 2025, its highest since at least 2021.