Business news from Ukraine

Business news from Ukraine

New IDS Ukraine products offset loss of profit from Borjomi

The expansion of its product portfolio allowed IDS Ukraine to offset the loss of profitability following the termination of its contract with Borjomi, which had previously accounted for about a quarter of the group’s profit, said IDS Ukraine CEO Marko Tkachuk.

One of the key factors was the aseptic production line installed even before the full-scale invasion, which allowed the company to expand its production of flavored water and enter new beverage categories.

IDS Ukraine is currently developing “Volya” energy drinks, the “Lemonade” line, flavored waters, and Morshynska Tea.

The company’s sales of non-carbonated flavored water grew by 68%, and its market share approached half of the corresponding segment of the Ukrainian market.

Morshynska Tea, launched in the spring of 2026, has proven particularly successful. Initially, the company viewed it as a test product; however, in some retail chains, it already accounts for over 10% of the iced tea segment. IDS Ukraine intends to expand this line of business. The company officially announced its entry into the

RTD teas on April 1, 2026.

Another new product in 2026 was packaged edible ice made from “Morshynska” water. Sales were temporarily suspended after warehouses with refrigeration equipment were destroyed and logistics became complicated. The company expects to bring the product back to the market in the summer of 2027. The edible ice product was launched in late June 2026.

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Japan launches drink to reduce visceral fat

Japan’s Suntory Food & Beverage has launched Tokusui under the Tokucha brand, a zero-calorie functional product that claims to help reduce abdominal (visceral) fat in people with high BMI. The product is classified as a “functionally labeled product” (FOSHU/FFC) rather than a medicine.

According to the manufacturer and industry publications, the drink contains the plant polyphenol HMPA (3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)propionic acid), obtained from the fermentation of rice bran; the label states that the ingredient “helps reduce internal fat in people with high BMI.” The drink is colorless, almost tasteless and odorless, and is available in 600 ml PET bottles.

A number of publications and social media posts refer to the new product as “water with the Ozempic effect,” but the press releases and product pages do not mention GLP-1 or semaglutide analogues. Tokusui is positioned as an over-the-counter functional beverage, not a medical weight loss product.

The Tokucha line is Japan’s most recognizable brand of beverages with “fat” claims; the introduction of “water” (rather than tea) expands the audience due to its neutral taste. The ingredient HMPA has already appeared in the group’s products (including claims about reducing visceral fat), which is also reflected in online retail listings.

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