Sugar sources in Mexican and German soft drinks, Digi Mart USA News: In Mexico, sodas such as Coca-Cola, Jarritos and Chaparritas are commonly sweetened with cane sugar, while in Germany many soft drinks are made with sugar derived from sugar beets.
According to a report from Xataka México, most sodas in Mexico, including Chaparritas, Jarritos and Coca-Cola, use cane sugar, whereas countries such as Germany rely on sweeteners derived from other crops. The article cites German brands such as Fritz-Kola, Paulaner Spezi and Afri-Cola.
The agricultural reason lies in climate. Sugarcane requires warm, humid conditions and is grown in Mexican regions such as Veracruz and San Luis Potosí.
Sugar beets grow in cooler climates, which is why Germany and France are among its major producers, according to the German Sugar Industry Association.
Chemically, both cane and beet sugar produce sucrose, although processing methods and some byproducts differ. Britannica notes that beet sugar is not processed with bone char.
Some producers also point to differences in flavor and color when making brown sugar.
In Mexico, the article also warns that high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) has been used as a substitute for cane sugar in various products to reduce costs. It mentions findings by Profeco in 2023 regarding HFCS in brands such as Jarritos and Coca-Cola.
The difference in raw materials is not always visible to consumers. Both ingredients provide sucrose or fructose depending on the process, but the choice depends on local crop availability and cost decisions by beverage companies.
The debate has also reached politics in Mexico. Xataka reports that in early 2026, then-president Claudia Sheinbaum proposed that Coca-Cola use Mexican cane sugar and cited health risks associated with HFCS according to the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).
For Germany’s industry, sugar beet is a historically important and competitive raw material in Europe. Xataka cites the Wirtschaftsvereinigung Zucker as a reference for Germany’s position in beet sugar production.
In summary, the label or taste of a soft drink does not always reveal whether it was sweetened with cane or beet sugar, but the choice reflects where the raw material is grown and each country’s and brand’s price and supply decisions.
