2025 sees the soft drinks market recover as inflation eases and innovation regains momentum
Soft drinks in Hungary entered 2025 with renewed stability following two challenging years marked by steep inflation, taxation changes, and the introduction of the Deposit Return System. These disruptions had weighed heavily on consumer purchasing power and reshaped pricing across the industry. However, as inflation slowed and manufacturers adapted to the new regulatory and cost environment, consumer confidence gradually improved. A notably hot summer further stimulated demand across hydration and refreshment categories, while promotional intensity increased across major retailers, supporting a broader recovery in off-trade volume sales.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Soft Drinks industry in Hungary 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.
Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to the following key categories, where applicable:
- Bottled Water
- Carbonates
- Concentrates
- Juice
- RTD Coffee
- RTD Tea
- Energy Drinks
- Sports Drinks
- Asian Speciality Drinks
If you're in the Soft Drinks industry in Hungary, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
The Soft Drinks in Hungary 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 Soft Drinks in Hungary?
- To what extent are health considerations impacting consumption of Soft Drinks in Hungary?
- How are changing social attitudes and legislation (eg sugar tax) reshaping demand and consumption?
- How are changing demographics (for example, an ageing or predominantly young population) determining consumption of Soft Drinks in Hungary?
- Which are the leading brands in Soft Drinks in Hungary?
- What potential exists for multinational or domestic soft drinks companies to expand in Hungary?
- How are products distributed in Soft Drinks in Hungary?
- How is the rise of e-commerce changing the retail and competitive landscape?
- How have home seclusion and social distancing measures following COVID-19 impacted sales of Soft Drinks?
- How are sustainability issues, such as environmentally-friendly packaging, legislation on recyclability, or the amount of plastic in bottles, impacting the soft drinks industry?
- Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
Soft Drinks in Hungary
2025 sees the soft drinks market recover as inflation eases and innovation regains momentum
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Healthier formulations, innovation cycles, and small but dynamic categories propel growth in 2025
Value remains central as shoppers remain price conscious despite improving sentiment
Stable growth ahead as innovation, lifestyle shifts, and improved purchasing power support the forecast outlook
Brand owners intensify activity through product diversification and marketing investment
Niche categories emerge as innovation engines for the future
Coca-Cola HBC Hungary Kft maintains leadership through portfolio breadth, investment and strong execution
Szentkirályi-Kékkúti Asványvíz Kft stands out as the most dynamic performer
Private label remains essential for budget-conscious households
Hypermarkets remain the leading channel, though share continues to erode
E-commerce accelerates from a low base, driven by convenience and improved digital infrastructure
Discounters gain ground as shoppers seek value-driven propositions
Foodservice vs retail split
Fountain sales in Hungary
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
Bottled Water in Hungary
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Bottled water returns to growth as prices stabilise and DRS disruption eases
Bottled water benefits from easing inflation and health-led demand
Functional bottled water leads growth as consumers seek more than simple hydration
Steady growth outlook supported by health trends and expanding flavoured and functional segments
Functional water innovation intensifies as brands compete on benefits rather than flavour alone
Flavoured water and healthier positioning will benefit from wellness and sustainability trends
Private label retains the largest share but faces renewed competition from strong brands
Functional water specialists and brand extensions drive the strongest growth
Hypermarkets lead but discounters and supermarkets gain ground in bottled water distribution
E-commerce grows rapidly from a small base, supported by digital grocery adoption
Carbonates in Hungary
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Carbonates return to growth as inflation slows and promotional intensity fuels demand
Carbonates return to positive growth as price pressures ease
Non-cola carbonates emerge as the fastest-growing category, supported by flavour innovation and mixers
Steady growth expected as stabilising prices, innovation and reduced-sugar varieties support demand
Digital innovation and tech-enabled marketing underpin future category development
Sustainability and regulation shape long-term operational priorities
Coca-Cola HBC Magyarország retains clear leadership supported by brand strength and continuous innovation
Coca-Cola HBC Magyarország was also the most dynamic performer through innovation and consumer activation
Hypermarkets remain the leading channel but slowly lose share to discounters
E-commerce becomes the fastest-growing channel as digital grocery adoption expands
Concentrates in Hungary
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Affordability and familiarity keep concentrates relevant
Concentrates maintain growth as value proposition holds firm
Liquid concentrates remain the growth engine
Steady, value-led growth expected over the forecast period
Innovation in flavours, formats and healthier recipes
Local champions to remain at the heart of category development
Pölöskei and Bolero set the tone in liquid and powder segments
New powder entrants intensify competition and expand choice
Modern grocery remains the core route to market
Discounters surge while e-commerce builds from a low base
Concentrates Conversions
Juice in Hungary
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Weak demand persists as affordability pressures push consumers away from juice
Consumers cut back on juice volumes and shift to cheaper alternatives
Juice drinks prove more resilient as value-focused and versatile segment
Gradual recovery expected, led by premium one hundred percent juice and functional blends
Functional and added-value innovation reshapes the competitive landscape
Health and wellness trends support premium tiers and convenient formats
Sió-Eckes Kft retains leadership through strong brands and health-focused innovation
Maspex Olympos Kft and private label outperform the market amid ongoing decline
Hypermarkets remain key but lose ground to discounters and convenience-orientated formats
E-commerce grows rapidly from a low base as digital grocery adoption increases
RTD Coffee in Hungary
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Café-style indulgence, flavour innovation and youth demand fuel rapid expansion
Local country-specific insights: RTD coffee firmly on a growth path
Flavoured RTD coffee as the main growth engine
Country-specific outlook: strong growth potential as coffee culture deepens
Digital and product innovation: flavour, format and “lighter” options
Premiumisation and positioning: RTD coffee as an affordable indulgence
Hell Energy Magyarország consolidates leadership with HELL Coffee
Branded RTD coffee gains ground over private label
Modern grocery as the main platform, with discounters gaining ground
E-commerce as a fast-growing complementary channel
RTD Tea in Hungary
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Health-led reformulation and stronger value cues underpin RTD tea growth
RTD tea consolidates its recovery
Reduced-sugar RTD tea drives incremental growth and premiumisation
Steady growth underpinned by wellness and variety
Digital and product innovation: reformulation, flavour expansion and pack diversification
Reducing seasonality and embedding RTD tea in everyday routines
Hell Energy Magyarország extends its lead with Xixo
Branded RTD teas gain ground as private label comes under pressure
Modern grocery remains core, with discounters in the lead
E-commerce gains traction as a complementary growth engine
Energy Drinks in Hungary
KEY DATA FINDINGS
New youth sales ban slows but does not derail energy drinks growth
Growth moderates as regulation and high prices reshape consumer behaviour
Reduced sugar formats outpace the wider category
Energy drinks expected to maintain growth in a more regulated environment
Healthier positioning and functionality guide innovation
Legislative tightening and adjacent categories reshape the competitive context
Hell Energy Magyarország Kft consolidates domestic leadership
Red Bull and multinational competitors drive premium and flavour-led growth
Hypermarkets remain key but discounters continue to gain importance
Discounters and e-commerce emerge as the most dynamic routes to market
Sports Drinks in Hungary
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Sports drinks gain traction as active lifestyles and hydration awareness strengthen
Rising active lifestyles and health focus underpin category expansion
Reduced sugar sports drinks lead growth as consumers balance performance and sugar concerns
Further volume growth expected as sports drinks reach a wider mainstream audience
Innovation focuses on lighter formulations today, with scope for more advanced concepts later
Adjacent categories intensify competition as functional benefits spread across soft drinks
Coca-Cola HBC Hungary Kft maintains clear leadership with Powerade
Coca-Cola HBC Hungary Kft also posts the strongest growth as competitors struggle for space
Hypermarkets lead sales but discounters and online channels gain relevance
E-commerce becomes the most dynamic channel as shoppers embrace digital grocery
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Soft Drinks
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- Carbonated Natural Mineral Bottled Water
- Carbonated Spring Bottled Water
- Carbonated Purified Bottled Water
-
- Still Flavoured Bottled Water
- Sparkling Flavoured Bottled Water
- Functional Bottled Water
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- Still Natural Mineral Bottled Water
- Still Spring Bottled Water
- Still Purified Bottled Water
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- Regular Carbonates
- Reduced Sugar Carbonates
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- Regular Cola Carbonates
- Reduced Sugar Cola Carbonates
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- Regular Non-Cola Carbonates
- Reduced Sugar Non-Cola Carbonates
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- Regular Lemonade/Lime
- Reduced Sugar Lemonade/Lime
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- Regular Tonic Water/Mixers/Other Bitters
- Reduced Sugar Tonic Water/Mixers/Other Bitters
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- Regular Orange Carbonates
- Reduced Sugar Orange Carbonates
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- Regular Other Non-Cola Carbonates
- Reduced Sugar Other Non-Cola Carbonates
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- Liquid Concentrates
- Powder Concentrates
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- Not from Concentrate 100% Juice
- Reconstituted 100% Juice
- Coconut and Other Plant Waters
- Juice Drinks (up to 24% Juice)
- Nectars
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- RTD Coffee
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- Carbonated RTD Tea and Kombucha
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- Regular Still RTD Tea
- Reduced Sugar Still RTD Tea
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- Regular Energy Drinks
- Reduced Sugar Energy Drinks
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- Regular Sports Drinks
- Reduced Sugar Sports Drinks
- Asian Speciality Drinks
Soft Drinks
This is the aggregation of the following categories; Carbonates, Fruit/vegetable juice, Bottled water, Functional drinks, Concentrates, RTD tea, RTD coffee and Asian speciality drinks.
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This report originates from Passport, our Soft Drinks research and analysis database.
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