Beverage major Coca-Cola has registered 5% global volume growth across all non-alcoholic ready-to-drink (NARTD) beverage segments for the first quarter ended 30 March 2012.

The company’s net revenues increased 6% and operating income grew 10% in the first quarter.

Coca-Cola chairman and chief executive officer Muhtar Kent said the company’s first quarter results underscore the company’s resilience and a long-term focus on quality growth in every region of the world.

"Despite a continued mixed global environment, our hardworking teams achieved broad-based volume and value share gains in nonalcoholic ready-to-drink beverages globally, with volume growth across every geographic operating group and revenue growth ahead of our long-term growth target," Kent said.

"We are highly focused on creating value for our consumers, customers, communities and investors through our clear roadmap for growth, investments in our world-class brands, a productivity and reinvestment program that is driving efficiencies, and a global bottling system that is well-aligned for execution. It is these advantages that give us the confidence in our ability to achieve our long-term growth targets and deliver sustainable growth for the future."

The Atlanta-based company’s volume increased 2%, 3%, 3%, 20%, 9% and 4% in North America, Japan, Germany, India, China and Brazil, respectively.

In the sparkling drinks segment, global Fanta and Sprite volume each increased 4% during the period.

Worldwide still beverage volume, which included packaged water, ready-to-drink tea and coffee, energy drinks and sports drinks, increased 9% in the quarter.

Packaged water volume rose 15% during the first quarter, and ready-to-drink tea volume increased 10%, which included Gold Peak and Honest Tea in North America, Ayataka green tea in Japan and Nestea in Europe.

Energy drinks volume went up 25% during the first quarter.