Soft Drinks - South Africa

The Soft Drinks market in South Africa has been experiencing significant growth in recent years.

Customer preferences: South African consumers have shown a growing preference for healthier beverage options, including low-sugar and natural drinks. This shift in consumer preference can be attributed to increasing health consciousness and a desire for more nutritious options. As a result, there has been a rise in demand for fruit juices, flavored water, and functional beverages that offer added health benefits.

Trends in the market: One of the key trends in the South African Soft Drinks market is the increasing popularity of craft and artisanal beverages. Consumers are seeking unique and locally-produced drinks that offer a premium and authentic experience. This trend can be seen in the rising number of small-scale soft drink producers and the growing availability of niche and specialty beverages in the market. Another trend in the market is the growing demand for ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages. South Africans lead busy lifestyles and are looking for convenient and on-the-go options. RTD beverages, such as canned or bottled soft drinks, are a convenient choice for consumers who want to enjoy their favorite beverages without the need for preparation or mixing.

Local special circumstances: South Africa has a diverse population with different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. This diversity is reflected in the Soft Drinks market, with a wide range of flavors and drink options available to cater to different tastes and preferences. For example, there is a demand for traditional African drinks, such as rooibos tea and amasi, which are made from local ingredients and have a distinct flavor profile.

Underlying macroeconomic factors: The South African economy has been experiencing moderate growth in recent years, which has contributed to the growth of the Soft Drinks market. Rising disposable incomes and an expanding middle class have led to increased consumer spending on non-essential goods, including beverages. Additionally, urbanization and changing lifestyles have also played a role in driving the demand for Soft Drinks, as more people are living in cities and seeking convenient and refreshing beverages. In conclusion, the Soft Drinks market in South Africa is witnessing growth due to changing customer preferences towards healthier options, the popularity of craft and artisanal beverages, the demand for ready-to-drink options, and the diverse cultural and ethnic preferences of the population. These trends are supported by underlying macroeconomic factors such as rising disposable incomes and urbanization.

Data coverage:

The data encompasses B2C enterprises. The at-home market covers retail sales via super- and hypermarkets, eCommerce, convenience stores, or similar sales channels. The out-of-home data encompasses all sales to hotels, restaurants, catering, cafés, bars, and similar hospitality service establishments. Combined numbers encompass both the at-home market and the out-of-home market. Both the at-home and the out-of-home market are valued at retail selling prices including all sales and consumption taxes.

Modeling approach:

Market sizes are determined through a Top-Down approach, building on specific predefined factors for each market segment. As a basis for evaluating markets, we use resources from the Statista platform as well as in-house market research, national statistical offices, international institutions, trade associations, companies, the trade press, and the experience of our analysts. In addition, we use relevant key market indicators and data from country-specific associations, such as GDP, consumer spending (e.g. consumer spending on Non-Alcoholic Drinks, consumer spending at Hotels, Restaurants etc.), and price level index. This data helps us estimate the market size for each country individually.

Forecasts:

In our forecasts, we apply diverse forecasting techniques. The selection of forecasting techniques is based on the behavior of the relevant market. For example, the exponential trend smoothing is well suited for forecasting the Non-Alcoholic Drinks market with a projected steady growth. The main drivers are GDP per capita and consumer spending per capita.

Additional notes:

The data is modeled using current exchange rates. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war are considered at a country-specific level. The market is updated twice a year.