Product Code: SDCN
In 2024, both off-trade volume and current value growth of soft drinks in China are set to maintain mid single-digit increases. Health remains a crucial factor influencing the consumption behaviour of Chinese consumers, especially in soft drinks. A key driver behind the growth in volume and value sales is therefore the prevalence of sugar-free and reduced sugar beverage options. According to data from Euromonitor's Passport system, in several categories, including RTD tea, carbonates, and sports...
Euromonitor International's Soft Drinks in China report offers a comprehensive guide to the size and shape of the market at a national level. It provides the latest retail sales data (2019-2023), allowing you to identify the sectors driving growth. It identifies the leading companies, the leading brands and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market - be they legislative, distribution, packaging or pricing issues. Forecasts to 2028 illustrate how the market is set to change.
Product coverage: Asian Speciality Drinks, Bottled Water, Carbonates, Concentrates, Energy Drinks, Juice, RTD Coffee, RTD Tea, Sports Drinks.
Data coverage: market sizes (historic and forecasts), company shares, brand shares and distribution data.
Why buy this report?
-  Get a detailed picture of the Soft Drinks market;
-  Pinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change;
-  Understand the competitive environment, the market's major players and leading brands;
-  Use five-year forecasts to assess how the market is predicted to develop.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
List Of Contents And Tables
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- Soft drinks in 2024: The big picture
- 2024 key trends
- Competitive landscape
- Retailing developments
- Foodservice vs retail split
- What next for soft drinks?
MARKET DATA
- Table 1 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (RTD) by Channel: Volume 2019-2024
- Table 2 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (RTD) by Channel: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
- Table 3 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Channel: Value 2019-2024
- Table 4 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Channel: % Value Growth 2019-2024
- Table 5 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (as sold) by Category: Volume 2024
- Table 6 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (as sold) by Category: % Volume 2024
- Table 7 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Category: Value 2024
- Table 8 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Category: % Value 2024
- Table 9 Off-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (RTD) by Category: Volume 2019-2024
- Table 10  Off-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (RTD) by Category: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
- Table 11  Off-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Category: Value 2019-2024
- Table 12  Off-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Category: % Value Growth 2019-2024
- Table 13  Sales of Soft Drinks by Total Fountain On-trade: Volume 2019-2024
- Table 14  Sales of Soft Drinks by Total Fountain On-trade: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
- Table 15  NBO Company Shares of Total Soft Drinks (RTD): % Volume 2020-2024
- Table 16  LBN Brand Shares of Total Soft Drinks (RTD): % Volume 2021-2024
- Table 17  NBO Company Shares of On-trade Soft Drinks (RTD): % Volume 2020-2024
- Table 18  LBN Brand Shares of On-trade Soft Drinks (RTD): % Volume 2021-2024
- Table 19  NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Soft Drinks (RTD): % Volume 2020-2024
- Table 20  LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Soft Drinks (RTD): % Volume 2021-2024
- Table 21  NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Soft Drinks: % Value 2020-2024
- Table 22  LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Soft Drinks: % Value 2021-2024
- Table 23  Penetration of Private Label in Off-trade Soft Drinks (RTD) by Category: % Volume 2019-2024
- Table 24  Penetration of Private Label in Off-trade Soft Drinks by Category: % Value 2019-2024
- Table 25  Distribution of Off-trade Soft Drinks (as sold) by Format: % Volume 2019-2024
- Table 26  Distribution of Off-trade Soft Drinks (as sold) by Format and Category: % Volume 2024
- Table 27  Forecast Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (RTD) by Channel: Volume 2024-2029
- Table 28  Forecast Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (RTD) by Channel: % Volume Growth 2024-2029
- Table 29  Forecast Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Channel: Value 2024-2029
- Table 30  Forecast Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Channel: % Value Growth 2024-2029
- Table 31  Forecast Off-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (RTD) by Category: Volume 2024-2029
- Table 32  Forecast Off-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (RTD) by Category: % Volume Growth 2024-2029
- Table 33  Forecast Off-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Category: Value 2024-2029
- Table 34  Forecast Off-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Category: % Value Growth 2024-2029
- Table 35  Forecast Sales of Soft Drinks by Total Fountain On-trade: Volume 2024-2029
- Table 36  Forecast Sales of Soft Drinks by Total Fountain On-trade: % Volume Growth 2024-2029
APPENDIX
Trends
DISCLAIMER
SOURCES
- Summary 1 Research Sources
CARBONATES IN CHINA
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
- Off-trade volume growth of carbonates slows significantly, but average unit prices rise
- Growth continues for reduced sugar carbonates, yet the rate of increase notably slows
- The introduction of new flavours in carbonates has become increasingly frequent
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
- Carbonates faces fierce competition from other soft drinks categories
- Cross-category collaborations between carbonates and alcoholic drinks have emerged as a significant growth opportunity in China
- Although the off-trade accounts for the majority of sales in carbonates, on-trade growth is expected to accelerate in the future
CATEGORY DATA
- Table 37 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Carbonates: Volume 2019-2024
- Table 38 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Carbonates: Value 2019-2024
- Table 39 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Carbonates: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
- Table 40 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Carbonates: % Value Growth 2019-2024
- Table 41 Off-trade Sales of Carbonates by Category: Volume 2019-2024
- Table 42 Off-trade Sales of Carbonates by Category: Value 2019-2024
- Table 43 Off-trade Sales of Carbonates by Category: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
- Table 44 Off-trade Sales of Carbonates by Category: % Value Growth 2019-2024
- Table 45 Total Sales of Carbonates by Fountain On-trade: Volume 2019-2024
- Table 46  Total Sales of Carbonates by Fountain On-trade: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
- Table 47  NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Carbonates: % Volume 2020-2024
- Table 48  LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Carbonates: % Volume 2021-2024
- Table 49  NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Carbonates: % Value 2020-2024
- Table 50  LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Carbonates: % Value 2021-2024
- Table 51  Forecast Off-trade Sales of Carbonates by Category: Volume 2024-2029
- Table 52  Forecast Off-trade Sales of Carbonates by Category: Value 2024-2029
- Table 53  Forecast Off-trade Sales of Carbonates by Category: % Volume Growth 2024-2029
- Table 54  Forecast Off-trade Sales of Carbonates by Category: % Value Growth 2024-2029
- Table 55  Forecast Total Sales of Carbonates by Fountain On-trade: Volume 2024-2029
- Table 56  Forecast Total Sales of Carbonates by Fountain On-trade: % Volume Growth 2024-2029
JUICE IN CHINA
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
- The demand for healthy and natural juices is increasing
- Scenario-based marketing for juice
- Innovative flavours and combinations
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
- Future trends in distribution channels for juice
- Nutrient supplementation: Juices will continue to become more functional
- The continued rise of premiumisation in juice
CATEGORY DATA
- Table 57 Off-trade Sales of Juice by Category: Volume 2019-2024
- Table 58 Off-trade Sales of Juice by Category: Value 2019-2024
- Table 59 Off-trade Sales of Juice by Category: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
- Table 60 Off-trade Sales of Juice by Category: % Value Growth 2019-2024
- Table 61 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Juice: % Volume 2020-2024
- Table 62 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Juice: % Volume 2021-2024
- Table 63 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Juice: % Value 2020-2024
- Table 64 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Juice: % Value 2021-2024
- Table 65 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Juice by Category: Volume 2024-2029
- Table 66  Forecast Off-trade Sales of Juice by Category: Value 2024-2029
- Table 67  Forecast Off-trade Sales of Juice by Category: % Volume Growth 2024-2029
- Table 68  Forecast Off-trade Sales of Juice by Category: % Value Growth 2024-2029
BOTTLED WATER IN CHINA
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
- Expanding variety of household consumption scenarios fuels the development of bottled water
- The concentration of still bottled water in China remains high
- The functionality of bottled water tends to be a focus of consumers
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
- Bottled water brands offer a wider variety of sparkling flavours to attract younger consumers
- Chinese consumers' bottled water consumption scenarios have become increasingly segmented
- Rapid growth of large-pack still bottled water shows a good opportunity for the future
CATEGORY DATA
- Table 69 Off-trade Sales of Bottled Water by Category: Volume 2019-2024
- Table 70 Off-trade Sales of Bottled Water by Category: Value 2019-2024
- Table 71 Off-trade Sales of Bottled Water by Category: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
- Table 72 Off-trade Sales of Bottled Water by Category: % Value Growth 2019-2024
- Table 73 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Bottled Water: % Volume 2020-2024
- Table 74 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Bottled Water: % Volume 2021-2024
- Table 75 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Bottled Water: % Value 2020-2024
- Table 76 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Bottled Water: % Value 2021-2024
- Table 77 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Bottled Water by Category: Volume 2024-2029
- Table 78  Forecast Off-trade Sales of Bottled Water by Category: Value 2024-2029
- Table 79  Forecast Off-trade Sales of Bottled Water by Category: % Volume Growth 2024-2029
- Table 80  Forecast Off-trade Sales of Bottled Water by Category: % Value Growth 2024-2029
SPORTS DRINKS IN CHINA
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
- Popularity of outdoor sports drives the growth of sports drinks
- Alienergy sees sustained sales growth, taking the lead in sports drinks in value terms
- Focus on electrolytes in sports drinks in China
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
- Sports drinks expected to offer benefits beyond basic hydration
- Packaging and product formats for sports drinks have become a new focus area for brand development
- Consumers are expecting new flavour innovations in sports drinks
CATEGORY DATA
- Table 81 Off-trade Sales of Sports Drinks: Volume 2019-2024
- Table 82 Off-trade Sales of Sports Drinks: Value 2019-2024
- Table 83 Off-trade Sales of Sports Drinks: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
- Table 84 Off-trade Sales of Sports Drinks: % Value Growth 2019-2024
- Table 85 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Sports Drinks: % Volume 2020-2024
- Table 86 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Sports Drinks: % Volume 2021-2024
- Table 87 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Sports Drinks: % Value 2020-2024
- Table 88 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Sports Drinks: % Value 2021-2024
- Table 89 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Sports Drinks: Volume 2024-2029
- Table 90  Forecast Off-trade Sales of Sports Drinks: Value 2024-2029
- Table 91  Forecast Off-trade Sales of Sports Drinks: % Volume Growth 2024-2029
- Table 92  Forecast Off-trade Sales of Sports Drinks: % Value Growth 2024-2029
ENERGY DRINKS IN CHINA
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
- The usage scenarios for energy drinks are becoming increasingly diverse
- The competition in energy drinks is becoming increasingly intense
- The ingredients in energy drinks are also becoming more diverse
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
- Reduced sugar energy drinks expected to be an important focus
- The distinction between energy drinks and sports drinks is becoming increasingly blurred
- Concerns amongst Chinese consumers regarding sugar and caffeine intake may affect the prospects for energy drinks
CATEGORY DATA
- Table 93 Off-trade Sales of Energy Drinks: Volume 2019-2024
- Table 94 Off-trade Sales of Energy Drinks: Value 2019-2024
- Table 95 Off-trade Sales of Energy Drinks: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
- Table 96 Off-trade Sales of Energy Drinks: % Value Growth 2019-2024
- Table 97 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Energy Drinks: % Volume 2020-2024
- Table 98 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Energy Drinks: % Volume 2021-2024
- Table 99 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Energy Drinks: % Value 2020-2024
- Table 100 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Energy Drinks: % Value 2021-2024
- Table 101 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Energy Drinks: Volume 2024-2029
- Table 102  Forecast Off-trade Sales of Energy Drinks: Value 2024-2029
- Table 103  Forecast Off-trade Sales of Energy Drinks: % Volume Growth 2024-2029
- Table 104  Forecast Off-trade Sales of Energy Drinks: % Value Growth 2024-2029
CONCENTRATES IN CHINA
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
- Lacking product differentiation and innovation, demand for concentrates is weak and falling
- Liquid concentrates is highly competitive, while Tang continues to lead powder concentrates
- Manufacturers emphasise their health positioning
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
- Forecast decline in off-trade RTD volume and value sales, driven by powder concentrates
- Liquid concentrates set to maintain growth, but will still experience challenges
- Lemon Republic launches lemon liquid concentrates to meet consumer preferences amidst intense competition
CATEGORY DATA
- Concentrates conversions
- Summary 2       Concentrates Conversion Factors for Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Format
- Table 105 Off-trade Sales of Concentrates (RTD) by Category: Volume 2019-2024
- Table 106 Off-trade Sales of Concentrates (RTD) by Category: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
- Table 107 Off-trade Sales of Concentrates by Category: Value 2019-2024
- Table 108 Off-trade Sales of Concentrates by Category: % Value Growth 2019-2024
- Table 109 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Concentrates (RTD): % Volume 2021-2024
- Table 110 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Concentrates: % Value 2020-2024
- Table 111 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Concentrates: % Value 2021-2024
- Table 112 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Liquid Concentrates (RTD): % Volume 2020-2024
- Table 113 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Liquid Concentrates (RTD): % Volume 2021-2024
- Table 114  NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Powder Concentrates (RTD): % Volume 2020-2024
- Table 115  LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Powder Concentrates (RTD): % Volume 2021-2024
- Table 116  Forecast Off-trade Sales of Concentrates (RTD) by Category: Volume 2024-2029
- Table 117  Forecast Off-trade Sales of Concentrates (RTD) by Category: % Volume Growth 2024-2029
- Table 118  Forecast Off-trade Sales of Concentrates by Category: Value 2024-2029
- Table 119  Forecast Off-trade Sales of Concentrates by Category: % Value Growth 2024-2029
RTD TEA IN CHINA
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
- Health and sugar reduction trends drive rapid growth for reduced sugar still RTD tea
- Upgrades and innovations in RTD tea further propel growth
- Reduced sugar still RTD tea has become increasingly crowded, leading to intensified competition
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
- RTD tea expected to capture share from freshly-made tea drinks in the future
- Convenience stores is becoming a growing distribution channel for RTD tea
- Live-streaming e-commerce may further stimulate sales of RTD tea
CATEGORY DATA
- Table 120 Off-trade Sales of RTD Tea by Category: Volume 2019-2024
- Table 121 Off-trade Sales of RTD Tea by Category: Value 2019-2024
- Table 122 Off-trade Sales of RTD Tea by Category: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
- Table 123 Off-trade Sales of RTD Tea by Category: % Value Growth 2019-2024
- Table 124 Leading Flavours for Off-trade RTD Tea: % Volume 2019-2024
- Table 125 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade RTD Tea: % Volume 2020-2024
- Table 126 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade RTD Tea: % Volume 2021-2024
- Table 127 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade RTD Tea: % Value 2020-2024
- Table 128 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade RTD Tea: % Value 2021-2024
- Table 129  Forecast Off-trade Sales of RTD Tea by Category: Volume 2024-2029
- Table 130  Forecast Off-trade Sales of RTD Tea by Category: Value 2024-2029
- Table 131  Forecast Off-trade Sales of RTD Tea by Category: % Volume Growth 2024-2029
- Table 132  Forecast Off-trade Sales of RTD Tea by Category: % Value Growth 2024-2029
RTD COFFEE IN CHINA
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
- Changes in consumer preference and competition weaken demand for RTD coffee
- More players launch RTD coffee for portfolio diversification
- Packaging diversification supports a wide range of consumption scenarios in a highly competitive market
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
- The introduction of health-oriented RTD coffee and flavour innovations will drive growth
- RTD coffee expected to see further segmentation, driven by diverse consumer demand
- Omnichannel strategy key for both leading and emerging brands
CATEGORY DATA
- Table 133 Off-trade Sales of RTD Coffee: Volume 2019-2024
- Table 134 Off-trade Sales of RTD Coffee: Value 2019-2024
- Table 135 Off-trade Sales of RTD Coffee: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
- Table 136 Off-trade Sales of RTD Coffee: % Value Growth 2019-2024
- Table 137 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade RTD Coffee: % Volume 2020-2024
- Table 138 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade RTD Coffee: % Volume 2021-2024
- Table 139 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade RTD Coffee: % Value 2020-2024
- Table 140 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade RTD Coffee: % Value 2021-2024
- Table 141 Forecast Off-trade Sales of RTD Coffee: Volume 2024-2029
- Table 142  Forecast Off-trade Sales of RTD Coffee: Value 2024-2029
- Table 143  Forecast Off-trade Sales of RTD Coffee: % Volume Growth 2024-2029
- Table 144  Forecast Off-trade Sales of RTD Coffee: % Value Growth 2024-2029
ASIAN SPECIALITY DRINKS IN CHINA
KEY DATA FINDINGS
2024 DEVELOPMENTS
- Rising demand for health-driven Asian speciality drinks - fruit vinegar leads the way
- Long-term potential for bird's nest drinks is questionable
- Tiandi No 1 leads sales and growth in Asian speciality drinks, with Aqua More following
PROSPECTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
- Expansion of retail e-commerce channels
- Packaging will continue to see innovation and adaptation to fast-paced lifestyles
- Functionality and health benefits will continue to provide opportunities for Asian speciality drinks
CATEGORY DATA
- Table 145 Off-trade Sales of Asian Speciality Drinks: Volume 2019-2024
- Table 146 Off-trade Sales of Asian Speciality Drinks: Value 2019-2024
- Table 147 Off-trade Sales of Asian Speciality Drinks: % Volume Growth 2019-2024
- Table 148 Off-trade Sales of Asian Speciality Drinks: % Value Growth 2019-2024
- Table 149 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Asian Speciality Drinks: % Volume 2020-2024
- Table 150 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Asian Speciality Drinks: % Volume 2021-2024
- Table 151 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Asian Speciality Drinks: % Value 2020-2024
- Table 152 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Asian Speciality Drinks: % Value 2021-2024
- Table 153 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Asian Speciality Drinks: Volume 2024-2029
- Table 154  Forecast Off-trade Sales of Asian Speciality Drinks: Value 2024-2029
- Table 155  Forecast Off-trade Sales of Asian Speciality Drinks: % Volume Growth 2024-2029
- Table 156  Forecast Off-trade Sales of Asian Speciality Drinks: % Value Growth 2024-2029