The carbonates subcategory continues to struggle in the face of concerns about calorie & sugar content. Consumer preferences are shifting toward foods that are more organic, made from natural ingredients and free from controversial ingredients such as sugar. Naturally, products which has lower calories and sugar content are preferred.

Concerns over artificial sweeteners are running alongside interest in reducing sugar content, resulting in the rising use of natural sweeteners and low calorie/low sugar sweet blends.

Additionally, the market is experiencing a growing diversity of other beverage options.

Hence, regular carbonated soft drinks are not a sustainable option anymore.

TOP FLAVOURS

Juices and Juice beverages are non-alcoholic drinks made from or containing a certain amount of fruits juices or vegetables juices. Some are sold as fresh beverages while others may be stored at room temperature.

Even though juices and juice drinks still benefit from a healthy halo, growing concern is arising surrounding the sugar content, portion control and the lack of fibres.

Several types of juice-based beverages are available depending on the process:

See trending products:

Increasing scientific evidence of the benefits of nutritional supplementation led to consumer interests in the incorporation of nutrient premixes to support a healthy diet. Consumers are looking for more precise explanations of what their bodies need to keep up with modern day society.

As consumers become more mindful of what they are consuming they have also upped their demand for more natural ingredients. Consequently, the industry will be seeing more natural focused energy products. Driven by an interest in all things “natural”, companies are also starting to use concentrated caffeine ingredients from natural source, usually derived from green coffee bean extract or green tea.

We also notice a trend towards the use of extracts in premixes. Companies are no longer just using vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. They are also turning to extracts with health benefits, such as green tea and guarana.

There is a large consumer market for energy drinks, with consumers being more aware of the benefits of certain ingredients and asking for high-quality products. Therefore, following whey protein, which has been adopted by the mass market channel, BCAAs (Branched Chain Amino Acids) are likely to be the next growth area.

Sports nutrition is expanding beyond its core base of bodybuilders and athletes to those focus on health and fitness.

This broader sports nutrition audience is asking a lot. They want clean labels, nutritional and fitness related benefits and convenience.

Hence, the demand for sports nutrition will continue to soar. The sports market is forecast to continue growing by 8% annually, with whey protein powder and protein ready-to-drink being the two most significant and fastest growing product categories.

Tea is now the most consumed drink in the world after water. Tea is mainly cultivated in Asia: China, India, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia.

There is a large variety of teas, but they all originate from the same plant. The main difference is the degree of fermentation the tea leaves are put under.

White tea and green tea are non-fermented and very light fermented teas. White teas are more delicate and rarer, some being made only from the buds of the plant.

Black tea is fully fermented while oolong tea (blue tea) is semi-fermented (the fermentation is stopped earlier by a roasting process).

While tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world after water, infusion is the NEW EMERGING TREND among health-conscious people.

Today, herbal infusions made from ANY PLANT PART other than the leaves of the tea bush are know as herbal tea, tisane or infusion.

Rising awareness about the benefits of infusion as “ORGANIC”, “CAFFEINE-FREE” and “HEALTHY” is increasing across the globe.

Due to intense competition, the commercial success of infusions depends on the SUPERIOR QUALITY OF FLAVOURS.

Consumers are increasingly aware of the potential adverse effects of EXCESSIVE CAFFEINE INTAKE, hence favouring caffeine free options.

Consumers tend to turn towards MORE NATURAL MEDICATIONS for the healing of minor disorders, suggesting that the global infusion market has a BRIGHT AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURE ahead.

While tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world after water, infusion is the new emerging trend among health-conscious people. Today, herbal infusions made from any plant part other than the leaves of the tea bush are know as herbal tea, tisane, or infusion.

Awareness about the benefits of infusion as “organic”, “caffeine-free” and “healthy” is increasing across the globe. Consumers are becoming more aware of the potential adverse effects of excessive caffeine intake, hence favouring caffeine free options.

Additionally, consumers tend to turn towards more natural medications for the healing of minor disorders, suggesting that the global infusion market has a bright and sustainable future ahead.

Due to intense competition, the commercial success of infusions depends on the superior quality of flavours.

This type of alcohlic beverage, born in North America, is halfway between a soda and a cocktail. It contains carbonated water (sparkling water), and has low calories and sugar content.

Thanks to these aspects, hard seltzers are positioned as a healthier alternative to wine and beer, primarily aimed at consumers who are concerned about their figure.

According to a “statista” report, the worldwide spirits & liqueurs market is expected to grow annually by 3.2% over the forecast period 2019 – 2023. Revenue amounts to €392 bn in 2019 and should reach €445 bn in 2023. The average per capita consumption stands at 4.5 l in 2019.

Liqueurs is the biggest subsegment of the spirits category (€187 bn in 2019), followed by whisky (€76 bn in 2019) in second position and brandy (€60 bn in 2019) in third position.

Consumption of liqueurs in Asia-Pacific is expected to increase due to the growing young adult population and the growing consumption of high-quality liqueurs. However, Europe is predicted to be the fastest growing region.

Escalation of better-for-you drinks market, fueled by health concerns, should restrict the market growth in the future. Introduction of healthier varieties of spirits and liqueurs is expected to offer lucrative opportunities for market players.

With vodka being a particularly good flavour carrier, we are looking for intense, well-rounded, bold flavours with impact. They also need to have a more natural profile, steering clear of overly artificial taste.

The entire distilled spirits industry continues to grow as more drinkers begin to explore their options and increase their interest in mixing up great cocktails. Still ready-to-drinks remain a convenient and popular option.

Vodka-based liqueurs can be easily adapted for several uses: as a chilled shot, mix with juices to create a cocktail or just diluted with lemonade or sparkling water.

Alcopops are sweet, distilled beverages with a low alcohol content (<15%vol). Primarily aimed at a young target, they are conditioned in convenient and nomad packaging.

The underlying natural trend is also impacting alcopops. Companies have swop their flashy packaging for simpler, plainer version. Recipes now include juices, natural extracts and natural flavours.

In a large and highly competitive market, diversification strategies are essential to keep consumers engaged. They may focus on product quality, experiential marketing, brand identity, price, or packaging.

Clearer communication on processing can give a more premium feel. The three launches down below feature a chic and refine visual identity and a unique manufacturing process.

The use of specific ingredients may help creating value and arouse consumers curiosity enough to step out of their comfort zone and try something new.

An increasing number of global vodka launches feature claims around sustainability, ethical behaviours and the environment.

Though cordials present numerous advantages, consumers continue to associate them with artificial products, full of synthetic flavours and colours.

Manufacturers are willing to turn the tide through recipe makeovers, creating added value through more natural claims:

Beyond the main consumer brands market, natural claims are beneficial to more sophisticated brands. Those premium cordials are marketed as more authentic thanks to sophisticated packaging and more specific flavours.