Istanbul, March 14 - The Turkish division of Coca-Cola Co, the world's largest soft drink maker, said on Friday it was looking for purchase opportunities in the non-alcoholic beverage market in fast-growing Turkey.
Coca-Cola has recently purchased FUZE teas and Glaceau, which have boosted sales at a time when its traditional carbonated soft drinks were experiencing sluggish U.S. sales as consumers switched to other options like bottled water and tea.
"We have the mission to enter new and probably profitable categories in line with consumer demands. If we don't have any experience in any of these new categories (like was the case with herbal tea) we can consider to start out by buying, and make a fast start that way," Ahmet Burak, head of the Coca-Cola Turkey business unit, told Reuters.
He declined to give further details.
Coca-Cola Co has a minority stake in its Turkish bottler, Coca-Cola Icecek.
Turkey's young and fast-growing population, economic growth averaging 7 percent a year and prospects of European Union membership has drawn the interest of numerous foreign investors.