Coca-Cola buys Adelaide-based MOJO kombucha
The Adelaide makers of MOJO kombucha have been snapped up by the Coca-Cola Company for an undisclosed sum.
After years making the kombucha in their back shed in Adelaide, husband and wife team Anthony and Sarah Crabb launched the Organic & Raw Trading Co in 2009, selling first at farmers' markets and health food shops. Their branded MOJO drinks are now stocked at across the country, turning over between $5 million and $7 million a year.
"Kombucha is one of the fastest-growing categories in the soft drink business in Australia and MOJO - which was crafted, created and nurtured by Anthony for all these years - is one of the leading brands," said Coca-Cola Australia president Vamsi Mohan. "So we think it fits in beautifully into our portfolio and will add to our growth.”
The local pair now hope Coca-Cola's reach will help boost awareness of their products, which will continue to be made by Mojo's 60-strong workforce in Willunga.
"As we’ve grown we’ve ensured that we were able to continue to scale the product maintaining the authenticity and the quality of what we’ve had, and we don’t see that changing," Crabb told The Sydney Morning Herald.
The global beverage giant is looking to diversify away from sugar laden drinks to healthier options, and is even eyeing the cannabis-infused beverage market overseas.
Sheridan Randall, 19th September 2018
