Coca-Cola Enterprises will mark the forthcoming Royal Wedding between William & Kate by bringing out a Schweppes Canada Dry Ginger Ale in special limited edition themed packaging. Unusual but not surprising given that many businesses will be cashing in on the wedding. But it was only when I was delving a little deeper (I do like to delve) that I learnt that Schweppes is not actually manufactured by Schweppes, well, not in the UK anyway. The Schweppes brand is owned by Dr Pepper who make it in the US. In the UK and many other countries like Russia, Egypt, Vietnam and Russia it is made by Coca-Cola. In Denmark it is made by Carlsberg but I assume it is still non-alcoholic there. And in Poland it is made by Pepsico. I wonder how many other famous brands have their manufacture contracted out?
Still on the subject of Schweppes, Orangina Schweppes has launched a Ginger & Cardamom tonic in its Heritage tonic range. Unfortunately it is only available in Spain as Orangina Schweppes holds the rights to manufacture and distribute there (and France & Portugal). Message to Dr Pepper - don't forget the rest of us!
I've often wondered how much profit can be made from trading in ginger. Last week Pakistani retailers were buying Chinese ginger from a wholesale market for Rs75 per kg (down from Rs100 the week before) and selling it to consumers for Rs100-120 per kg. That is a markup of 30-60% which is a healthy profit by any measure.
Reports are emerging that Nigerian dried ginger stocks could run out by next month. With China concentrating its exports on the European market and India struggling to produce enough to cover increasing demand from both domestic and international markets, buyers have turned their attention to Nigeria. I find it strange that food and drink manufacturers can substitute one country's ginger for another country's ginger. Ginger from different parts of the world exhibit different characteristics such as in taste, smell and pungency. I liken ginger to wine; a Chardonnay from one region of France differs from a Chardonnay from another region of France and certainly differs from a Chardonnay from England or New Zealand or Chile. Terroir is just as important to ginger as it is to wine. Do manufacturers realise this?
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