What would happen if Coca-Cola disappeared from Catalonia?
With €1,003 million in added value and 15,660 linked jobs, Coca-Cola plays an important role in the Catalan economy, as shown in a study by the consultancy Steward Redqueen.
On bar terraces, glasses of Coca-Cola with ice and lemon. At local festivals, coolers full of bottles of this soft drink. In the stands of Camp Nou, on La Rambla, or in a small family-run mountain restaurant, the same scene repeats itself: an open bottle, escaping gas, and an everyday gesture that has been part of the Catalan social landscape for decades. But what would happen if, suddenly, Coca-Cola disappeared from Catalonia?
Beyond this collective perception, Coca-Cola's presence in Catalonia also has a profound impact on the economy, employment, and industrial activity in the region. This is reflected in the Socioeconomic Impact Study prepared by the consulting firm Steward Redqueen and commissioned by the company itself. The conclusions are clear: if Coca-Cola were not in Catalonia, the Catalan GDP would lose added value, and thousands of direct and indirect jobs would no longer be created, for example.
An economic engine that contributes €1,003 million to Catalonia's GDP
According to the Socioeconomic Impact Study, Coca-Cola's activity generates €1.003 billion in added value in Catalonia, equivalent to 0.33% of GDP. Of that figure, €104 million comes directly from the company's activity, while €899 million arises indirectly through its extensive value chain: suppliers, distributors, points of sale, and businesses that depend, in part, on its products.
Every euro spent on Coca-Cola soft drinks returns 76 cents to the local economy, an indicator of the brand's ability to generate wealth and maintain constant economic activity throughout the territory.
More than 15,660 related jobs
Coca-Cola's impact on employment in Catalonia extends far beyond direct jobs. According to a study by Steward Redqueen, its operations generate 15,660 jobs in the region. Of these, 780 are direct, linked to the Martorelles-Montornés plant, the logistics center, and the sales offices; and 14,880 are indirect, distributed among suppliers, distributors, transport companies, the hospitality sector, and retail.
In other words: for every direct job, 19 indirect jobs are generated, a clear indicator of the extent to which the Coca-Cola ecosystem contributes to boosting the Catalan labor market, according to the company.
A strategic and innovative industrial plant
The Coca-Cola plant located between Martorelles and Montornès del Vallès is one of the group's most important industrial facilities in Spain. With 11 production lines, 500,000 m² of floor space, and a storage capacity of 76,300 pallets, it is a hub that combines volume, technology, and efficiency. Each day, the plant can handle up to 285 trucks and produces the equivalent of 7 million bottles of Coca-Cola's main brands.
Since 2019, the company has invested over €59 million to modernize processes, improve sustainability, and strengthen its role in the Catalan industrial network. This sustained commitment consolidates the plant as a key production center for the entire region.
A commercial network that structures the territory
In Catalonia, the company works with more than 45,000 points of sale, a network that includes bars, restaurants, food shops, nightlife venues, supermarkets, gas stations, theme parks and small village shops.
This extensive distribution network allows their products to reach both large urban centers and rural areas, helping to sustain the economic activity of thousands of local businesses. For many of these establishments, the sale of Coca-Cola beverages—due to their volume and turnover—is an essential part of their daily operations.
A social and environmental commitment that adds up
Coca-Cola's impact in Catalonia is also reflected in its collaboration with organizations, institutions, and projects that strengthen the region's social, cultural, and environmental fabric. Through programs like GIRA Mujeres and GIRA Jóvenes, the company has supported the training and entrepreneurship of more than 1,600 Catalan women and 500 young people.
In the environmental field, initiatives such as Circular Mothers have made it possible to collect 4 tons of waste from beaches and aquatic environments thanks to the involvement of 3,000 volunteers, while Hosteleria #PorElClima brings together 4,300 Catalan establishments committed to reducing emissions and sustainability.
This is in addition to continued support for cultural facilities, festivals and sporting and popular events throughout the territory.