A network of 37 outback stores in remote indigenous communities sold 1.1 million litres of full-strength soft drink last financial year, amid fears the high sugar consumption is contributing to obesity and diabetes.
Outback Stores chief executive Steve Moore told a Senate estimates hearing in Canberra on Friday that bottled water ranked at 250,000 litres and diet soft drinks at 238,000 litres.
Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion said at one community store he knows, half the profits came from full-sugar soft drinks.
The hearing heard the 37 stores were already preferentially pricing the healthier items.
Mr Moore said any changes around the supply of full-strength soft drink could not happen without community support.
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