East Europe soft drinks up 9% in 2003
East European consumers are enjoying an ever wider choice of soft drinks and this helped push consumption up 9% in 2003 to 25,900 million litres, according to the latest East Europe Soft Drinks report from leading drinks consultancy Zenith International. This is 8,000 million litres or 45% more than in 1999.
“With the economic difficulties of the late 1990s becoming a more distant memory, soft drinks manufacturers are benefiting from the increased spending power of consumers in East Europe," commented Zenith Research Director Gary Roethenbaugh. "There has been a ‘westernisation’ of many soft drinks categories, but the role of traditional local beverages remains well founded.”
Headed by colas, carbonated soft drinks continue to lead with 37% of total volume. Bottled water is closing in rapidly, however, rising by 12% in 2003 against a 7% increase for carbonates. Bottled water has now reached 34% of the overall market. The fastest growing segments are energy and sports drinks, racing ahead by 22% and 21% respectively, but from very small bases. Fruit juice/nectars also performed well, advancing 14% to take a 13% share.
Many new products have been launched to meet local tastes, whilst echoing international trends. "A growing interest in healthier lifestyles has encouraged producers to innovate and diversify their product lines," added Gary Roethenbaugh. "Encouraged by the prospect of European Union enlargement, high profile international players are also entering the market, either organically or through acquisition.”
Russia moved past Poland to become the biggest national market for the first time in 2003, both with volume shares around 23%. Russia, Ukraine and Lithuania recorded the highest increases over 2002 - up 14%, 13% and 12% respectively. The market leaders in terms of consumption per person, however, are very different. Here, the more mature Czech Republic market consolidated its lead with 281 litres per person, well in front of its closest rivals Slovenia with 200 litres and Croatia with 172 litres.
Future growth is expected to remain strong and steady. Concluding with detailed forecasts, Zenith’s new report projects annual uplifts of some 7-8% over the coming five years, adding more than 10,000 million litres to reach 36,500 million litres in 2008. Boosted by greater consumer health awareness and a shift from sparkling to everyday still water, bottled water should make the greatest gains to overtake carbonates in 2005 and achieve a leading 36% overall share by 2008. With sustained investment by local manufacturers and wider appreciation of their health benefits, fruit juice/nectars are predicted to see a two thirds increase in the next five years and remain the third largest sector.
The 2004 Zenith Report on East Europe Soft Drinks contains 270 pages with 95 overview tables and charts, 16 country profiles and full market analysis. Contact Zenith International on tel +44 (0)1225 327900, fax +44 (0)1225 327901 or e-mail info@zenithinternational.com
For further information, please contact:
Gary Roethenbaugh or Agnieszka Banham, Zenith International Ltd
7 Kingsmead Square Bath BA1 2AB United Kingdom
t +44 (0)1225 327900 f +44 (0)1225 327901
zenithinternational.com
“With the economic difficulties of the late 1990s becoming a more distant memory, soft drinks manufacturers are benefiting from the increased spending power of consumers in East Europe," commented Zenith Research Director Gary Roethenbaugh. "There has been a ‘westernisation’ of many soft drinks categories, but the role of traditional local beverages remains well founded.”
Headed by colas, carbonated soft drinks continue to lead with 37% of total volume. Bottled water is closing in rapidly, however, rising by 12% in 2003 against a 7% increase for carbonates. Bottled water has now reached 34% of the overall market. The fastest growing segments are energy and sports drinks, racing ahead by 22% and 21% respectively, but from very small bases. Fruit juice/nectars also performed well, advancing 14% to take a 13% share.
Many new products have been launched to meet local tastes, whilst echoing international trends. "A growing interest in healthier lifestyles has encouraged producers to innovate and diversify their product lines," added Gary Roethenbaugh. "Encouraged by the prospect of European Union enlargement, high profile international players are also entering the market, either organically or through acquisition.”
Russia moved past Poland to become the biggest national market for the first time in 2003, both with volume shares around 23%. Russia, Ukraine and Lithuania recorded the highest increases over 2002 - up 14%, 13% and 12% respectively. The market leaders in terms of consumption per person, however, are very different. Here, the more mature Czech Republic market consolidated its lead with 281 litres per person, well in front of its closest rivals Slovenia with 200 litres and Croatia with 172 litres.
Future growth is expected to remain strong and steady. Concluding with detailed forecasts, Zenith’s new report projects annual uplifts of some 7-8% over the coming five years, adding more than 10,000 million litres to reach 36,500 million litres in 2008. Boosted by greater consumer health awareness and a shift from sparkling to everyday still water, bottled water should make the greatest gains to overtake carbonates in 2005 and achieve a leading 36% overall share by 2008. With sustained investment by local manufacturers and wider appreciation of their health benefits, fruit juice/nectars are predicted to see a two thirds increase in the next five years and remain the third largest sector.
The 2004 Zenith Report on East Europe Soft Drinks contains 270 pages with 95 overview tables and charts, 16 country profiles and full market analysis. Contact Zenith International on tel +44 (0)1225 327900, fax +44 (0)1225 327901 or e-mail info@zenithinternational.com
For further information, please contact:
Gary Roethenbaugh or Agnieszka Banham, Zenith International Ltd
7 Kingsmead Square Bath BA1 2AB United Kingdom
t +44 (0)1225 327900 f +44 (0)1225 327901
zenithinternational.com