Heads up, Topo Chico enthusiasts: brace yourselves for a potential shortage that might persist until the summer.
The sparkling mineral water brand owner, Coca-Cola, has indicated that its flagship offering, distributed in glass bottles, is “temporarily unavailable” across the United States. This is attributed to “upgrades being made to water sourcing and production facilities in Mexico,” a representative informed CNN.
Production rates have slowed over the past two months due to issues identified at the wells in Monterrey, Mexico, which supply the water, according to a letter from Coca-Cola to its distributors, which CNN reviewed.
The correspondence further noted that the company recently “identified further issues at the source wells, including quality matters related to the source geology,” necessitating a pause on order fulfillment.
“We are currently making additional investments at the source to bolster both the stability and quality of the springs, as well as to increase output, which demands a temporary production halt,” the Coca-Cola letter stated.
A Coca-Cola spokesperson conveyed to CNN that the product will “return later this year,” though the letter suggests a reentry is more likely around the third quarter.
This supply interruption pertains strictly to the recognizable Topo Chico Mineral Water product. Other beverages—such as the flavored sparkling line, Topo Chico Sabores, and the canned cocktails—remain accessible.
Coca-Cola acquired Topo Chico back in 2017 for \$200 million, and the premium water has since become a crucial component of its portfolio amid a consumer shift away from sugary sodas. Water sales rose by 4% in the last reporting quarter, partly fueled by growth achieved in North America.
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