The non-alcoholic beverage category is under pressure but there are also some big opportunities in the evolving global landscape.
Included in this segment are carbonated regular and diet soft drinks, energy drinks, sports and isotonic drinks, bottled and packaged waters, fruit juice and fruit drinks, cordials, iced teas, and RTD coffees.
Key players include Coca-Cola Amatil, Frucor Beverages, Murray Goulburn, Asahi Holdings, Unilever Australia, Parmalat Australia, Diageo Australia and Douwe Egberts.
Key challenges include the sugar backlash, changing fruit prices, competition from private labels, and a growing health consciousness has had a big impact on the industry, according to Australian Beverages Council CEO Geoff Parker.
Richard Hall from research firm Zenith International revealed the hottest beverage markets and niches across the globe in his recent presentation at the Ausdrinks Regional Beverages Summit in Sydney.
In his presentation titled Thirsty Asia – a market analysis, he pointed to water-based, natural, low calorie, tea-based and functional beverages as winning niches, as well as craft, local or premium products, and those that can be prepared or dispensed at home.
China, Indonesia and India are now the “thirstiest nations”, according to Hall.
