In a highly anticipated move that has created quite a stir among consumer and political spheres, Coca-Cola has launched its new soda sweetened with cane sugar in special U.S. markets, honoring a pledge that came out of meetings with President Donald Trump earlier this year. The move is a stark shift from the company’s decades-long use of high-fructose corn syrup as its sweetener of choice for American consumers.
Trump’s public push for real sugar
The cause gained momentum in July when President Trump publicly came out in favor of Coca-Cola changing from high-fructose corn syrup to cane sugar in its signature beverage as detailed in this article, Good news for Trump – Coca-Cola to launch new American soft drink with cane sugar this fall. Taking to Truth Social to discuss the matter, Trump declared, “I have been talking to Coca-Cola about using REAL Cane Sugar in Coke in the United States, and they have agreed to do so”. The President emphasized that he believed that the change would be an upgrade, stating emphatically, “It’s just better!”.
This support was a subset of the broader “Make America Healthy Again” movement headed by the Trump administration, with Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. playing an active role in resisting high-fructose corn syrup and other processed ingredients in American foods. Kennedy has even gone as far as to label high-fructose corn syrup a “recipe for obesity and diabetes”, lending political influence to the ingredient substitution trend.
Coca-Cola’s strategic response
Following Trump’s public statements, it was officially announced by Coca-Cola during its second-quarter earnings call in July that it was going to introduce a product with U.S. cane sugar in the fall. As stated by CEO James Quincey, this product would “complement” and “expand” the company’s existing product offerings, presenting consumers with greater choices for various occasions and preferences.
The rollout officially began in October 2025, as Coca-Cola introduced 12-ounce glass bottles of its signature soda sweetened with U.S. cane sugar in select markets. The company’s spokesperson attested to multiple sources that the product is a segment of their “continuing commitment to giving people more choices to enjoy the beverages they love”.
Supply chain challenges emerge
Despite the successful launch, Coca-Cola has been hit by significant logistical hurdles that are slowing the wide availability of the product. Chief Financial Officer John Murphy revealed in an interview with Bloomberg that supply constraints are limiting the full rollout of the new product. “It’s going to be a measured rollout,” Murphy explained, noting that “there is only a certain amount of cane sugar available in the United States”.
The issue of supply is particularly urgent in the context of the U.S. cane sugar production accounting for merely 30 percent of the nation’s total sugar supply, the remaining being accounted for by sugar beets and imports from Mexico and other places. Cane sugar production in the U.S. is presently concentrated in Florida and Louisiana, following the halt of sugarcane operations in Hawaii and Texas due to a series of economic as well as environmental concerns.
Additionally, there are capacity constraints in terms of producing glass bottles, which is a very different process compared to cans. Murphy emphasized that the development of glass bottle production capacity was necessary for wider distribution because the success of Mexican Coke in the U.S. market has demonstrated the worth of coupling both product formulation and premium packaging.
Market impact and consumer reception
The introduction of cane sugar Coca-Cola has generated considerable consumer hype, particularly among shoppers who meticulously read ingredient labels and seek out products perceived to be more natural. The product takes advantage of the established popularity of “Mexican Coke,” which has enjoyed a cult following since it became available in U.S. markets back in 2005.
This consumer demand is parallel to broader market demand for cleaner labels and fewer processed ingredients. The launch is coincident with PepsiCo’s own launch of cane sugar products and the growing success of brands like Poppi that use cane sugar as a core marketing point.
Agriculturally, the shift is a big benefit to U.S. sugar cane farmers, particularly in Louisiana and Florida. It is also a dilemma for producers of corn, with the Corn Refiners Association warning that widespread utilization of cane sugar would reduce corn prices by between 15 and 34 cents a bushel and eliminate thousands of manufacturing jobs.
