COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Nestlé dominates with well-known brands amid increased parallel imports
Nestlé is the leading company in South Africa’s other hot drinks category in 2025 due to its extensive product portfolio and strong brand presence. The players’ brands hold the number one spot in multiple segments, with Milo dominant in malt-based hot drinks, Ricoffy as a popular plant-based coffee alternative, and Nestlé Drinking Chocolate as a staple in the hot chocolate segment.
Nestlé remains largely unchallenged in other hot drinks in South Africa
Other hot drinks in South Africa is dominated by Nestlé, with smaller players and private label still growing but unable to meaningfully compete with the category leader. As a result, the market environment allows Milo to set pricing within malt-based hot drinks, though the brand still adheres to consumer demand and trends.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Other Hot Drinks industry in South Africa with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
If you're in the Other Hot Drinks industry in South Africa, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
The Other Hot Drinks in South Africa report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Other Hot Drinks in South Africa?
- To what extent are health considerations impacting consumption of Other Hot Drinks in South Africa?
- What are the traditional preferences in Other Hot Drinks in South Africa? To what extent are these tastes changing amidst increasing international influence and the growth of chained cafés?
- How are changing demographics (for example, an ageing or predominantly young population) determining consumption of Other Hot Drinks in South Africa?
- Which are the leading brands in Other Hot Drinks in South Africa?
- How are products distributed in Other Hot Drinks in South Africa?
- How is the rise of e-commerce changing the retail and competitive landscape?
- Have home seclusion and social distancing measures following COVID-19 benefited sales of Other Hot Drinks?
- Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
Other Hot Drinks in South Africa - Category analysis
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Rising prices, health positioning and Nestlé’s dominance shape other hot drinks in South Africa
Rising prices support value growth but hamper volumes
Flavoured powder drinks and other plant-based hot drinks see rising interest
Health and wellness trends to drive future growth and development
Innovation aligns with lifestyle choices
Possibility of sugar tax prompts players to reformulate offerings
Nestlé dominates with well-known brands amid increased parallel imports
Nestlé remains largely unchallenged in other hot drinks in South Africa
Modern grocery channels dominate distribution
E-commerce sees fastest rise
Hot Drinks in South Africa - Industry Overview
Price inflation, sustainability and channel shifts reshape hot drinks in South Africa
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Price hikes push up value sales in hot drinks in 2025
Sustainability comes to the fore
Younger consumers opt for on-trade experiences
Persistent price rises ensure further value growth
Private label set to expand and present greater challenge to branded favourites
E-commerce to see further expansion through omnichannel strategies
Nestlé remains leader of overall hot drinks in South Africa
Private label gains rapid ground
Supermarkets leads distribution as e-commerce outpaces all others in terms of growth
Foodservice sees slowed volume growth in 2025
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Other Hot Drinks
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- Chocolate-based Flavoured Powder Drinks
- Malt-based Hot Drinks
- Non-Chocolate-based Flavoured Powder Drinks
- Other Plant-based Hot Drinks
Other Hot Drinks
This is the aggregation of Flavoured Powder Drinks and Other Plant-based Powder Drinks. Products can be served hot or cold, and can be mixed with water, milk, or other liquids. Bottled, ready-to-drink flavoured milk drinks are NOT included here and are included in Passport Packaged Food.
See all of our definitionsWhy buy this report?
- Gain competitive intelligence about market leaders
- Track key industry trends, opportunities and threats
- Inform your marketing, brand, strategy and market development, sales and supply functions
This report originates from Passport, our Other Hot Drinks research and analysis database.
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