Mexico Government Regulations

Mexico's monopolies watchdog has rejected Coca-Cola Co.'s planned purchase of Cadbury Schweppes' Mexican brands because of excessive domination of the local soft-drinks market, an official said. The Federal Competition Commission official, who asked not to be identified, said the $1.85-billion deal struck in December for Coke to buy all of Cadbury Schweppes' soft-drink brands outside the United States, South Africa and France would hand Coke a 77% market share, compared with its current 70%.

Mexico's monopolies watchdog has rejected Coca-Cola Co.'s planned purchase of Cadbury Schweppes' Mexican brands because of excessive domination of the local soft-drinks market, an official said. The Federal Competition Commission official, who asked not to be identified, said the $1.85-billion deal struck in December for Coke to buy all of Cadbury Schweppes' soft-drink brands outside the United States, South Africa and France would hand Coke a 77% market share, compared with its current 70%.