'Ridiculously expensive': Soft drink lovers baulk at rising price of Coca-Cola

A 30-pack of 375-millilitre Coca-Cola cans now appear on Coles and Woolworths shelves for $50.

The frequently discounted item was previously sold between $28.30 and $47.20. Prices have increased to between $30 and $50.

Customers have taken to social media to express outrage over the rising prices.

"$50 for a 30-pack of Coke, you have to be taking the p*** honestly," one TikTok user said in response to the price hike.

"Luckily I drink Pepsi Max."

But customers were feeling the pinch even before the latest price rises.

Another TikTok user said "Does anyone else in Australia think that Coca-Cola is ridiculously expensive?"

"I've seen beer that's cheaper than Coke now," the TikTok user said while showing a supermarket price tag of $47.20 for a 30-pack of the soft drink.

A Coca-Cola spokesperson said: "In the last few years, like most businesses, we have faced a combination of supply chain cost pressures and consistently rising material and commodity prices".

"We have worked hard to manage these costs, along with inflationary pressures, to keep them as low as possible and drive affordability for our customers and consumers."

The soft drink giant said costs had been absorbed "where possible".