Select Country Report
Soft drinks sees moderate volume growth as affordability and investment shape performance
Soft drinks in South Africa is recording moderate off-trade volume growth in 2025, supported by production investments, expanding distribution and rising demand for affordable options. Consumer behaviour is increasingly defined by price sensitivity, with many households trading down to private label and value-tier brands, particularly in carbonates and concentrates. At the same time, functional beverages - especially energy drinks with wellness-linked claims - are gaining traction, supported by local brands such as Dragon Energy and Switch Energy. Premiumisation is developing through locally inspired flavours and artisanal formulations, while sustainability is becoming more prominent as manufacturers scale circular packaging initiatives such as returnable PET and lighter-weight bottles. Digital retail channels continue to expand quickly, aided by rapid-delivery platforms such as Checkers Sixty60 and Pick n Pay ASAP!, and brands are preparing for upcoming regulatory changes including a sugar tax increase and mandatory front-of-pack warnings. Over the forecast period, soft drinks is expected to record further rises in retail volume sales, with growth underpinned by health and wellness trends, a shift toward low- and no-sugar products, broader digital distribution and sustained investment from leading players.
USD 2,450
Delivery:
Files are delivered directly into your account soon after payment is received and any tax is certification is verified (where applicable).
This report comes in PDF with additional info in Excel included.
Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Soft 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.
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 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 Soft 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 Soft Drinks in South Africa?
- To what extent are health considerations impacting consumption of Soft Drinks in South Africa?
- 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 South Africa?
- Which are the leading brands in Soft Drinks in South Africa?
- What potential exists for multinational or domestic soft drinks companies to expand in South Africa?
- How are products distributed in Soft Drinks in South Africa?
- 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 South Africa
Soft drinks sees moderate volume growth as affordability and investment shape performance
Soft drinks sees moderate volume growth as affordability and investment shape performance
Advancements in production supports growth, while consumers focus on affordability
Premiumisation and sustainability remain key trends in soft drinks
E-commerce boosts engagement, and brands respond to anticipated sugar tax
Rising sales, sugar tax and new labelling requirements
Health and wellness trends will have continued impact on development
Distribution to become increasingly digital
Coca-Cola holds on to number one spot
International players dominate while local brands gain ground
Supermarkets leads as e-commerce rises fastest
Off-trade accounts for highest proportion of volume sales
Table 1 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (RTD) by Channel: Volume 2020-2025
Table 2 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (RTD) by Channel: % Volume Growth 2020-2025
Table 3 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Channel: Value 2020-2025
Table 4 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Channel: % Value Growth 2020-2025
Table 5 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (as sold) by Category: Volume 2025
Table 6 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (as sold) by Category: % Volume 2025
Table 7 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Category: Value 2025
Table 8 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Category: % Value 2025
Table 9 Off-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (RTD) by Category: Volume 2020-2025
Table 10 Off-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (RTD) by Category: % Volume Growth 2020-2025
Table 11 Off-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Category: Value 2020-2025
Table 12 Off-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Category: % Value Growth 2020-2025
Table 13 Sales of Soft Drinks by Total Fountain On-trade: Volume 2020-2025
Table 14 Sales of Soft Drinks by Total Fountain On-trade: % Volume Growth 2020-2025
Table 15 NBO Company Shares of Total Soft Drinks (RTD): % Volume 2021-2025
Table 16 LBN Brand Shares of Total Soft Drinks (RTD): % Volume 2022-2025
Table 17 NBO Company Shares of On-trade Soft Drinks (RTD): % Volume 2021-2025
Table 18 LBN Brand Shares of On-trade Soft Drinks (RTD): % Volume 2022-2025
Table 19 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Soft Drinks (RTD): % Volume 2021-2025
Table 20 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Soft Drinks (RTD): % Volume 2022-2025
Table 21 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Soft Drinks: % Value 2021-2025
Table 22 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Soft Drinks: % Value 2022-2025
Table 23 Penetration of Private Label in Off-trade Soft Drinks (RTD) by Category: % Volume 2020-2025
Table 24 Penetration of Private Label in Off-trade Soft Drinks by Category: % Value 2020-2025
Table 25 Distribution of Off-trade Soft Drinks (as sold) by Format: % Volume 2020-2025
Table 26 Distribution of Off-trade Soft Drinks (as sold) by Format and Category: % Volume 2025
Table 27 Forecast Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (RTD) by Channel: Volume 2025-2030
Table 28 Forecast Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (RTD) by Channel: % Volume Growth 2025-2030
Table 29 Forecast Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Channel: Value 2025-2030
Table 30 Forecast Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Channel: % Value Growth 2025-2030
Table 31 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (RTD) by Category: Volume 2025-2030
Table 32 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Soft Drinks (RTD) by Category: % Volume Growth 2025-2030
Table 33 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Category: Value 2025-2030
Table 34 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Soft Drinks by Category: % Value Growth 2025-2030
Table 35 Forecast Sales of Soft Drinks by Total Fountain On-trade: Volume 2025-2030
Table 36 Forecast Sales of Soft Drinks by Total Fountain On-trade: % Volume Growth 2025-2030
Fountain sales in South Africa
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
Summary 1 Research Sources
Bottled Water in South Africa
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Bottled water sees sustained demand as water security concerns and affordability shape behaviour
Complex water issues support sales in bottled water
Still bottled water sees growth fuelled by promotions and accessibility
South Africa’s water scarcity ensures continued demand for bottled water
SANBWA improves efficiency and waste control in water use
Stricture guidelines enhance consumer trust in bottled water products
Coca-Cola remains leading company while AQuelle heads up brands
Private label players gain greater ground
Supermarkets as preferred channel for bottled water purchases
Retail e-commerce rises fastest
Table 37 Off-trade Sales of Bottled Water by Category: Volume 2020-2025
Table 38 Off-trade Sales of Bottled Water by Category: Value 2020-2025
Table 39 Off-trade Sales of Bottled Water by Category: % Volume Growth 2020-2025
Table 40 Off-trade Sales of Bottled Water by Category: % Value Growth 2020-2025
Table 41 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Bottled Water: % Volume 2021-2025
Table 42 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Bottled Water: % Volume 2022-2025
Table 43 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Bottled Water: % Value 2021-2025
Table 44 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Bottled Water: % Value 2022-2025
Table 45 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Bottled Water by Category: Volume 2025-2030
Table 46 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Bottled Water by Category: Value 2025-2030
Table 47 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Bottled Water by Category: % Volume Growth 2025-2030
Table 48 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Bottled Water by Category: % Value Growth 2025-2030
Carbonates in South Africa
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Carbonates sees rising volumes as pricing, distribution and reduced sugar variants underpin performance
Production and pricing strategies ensure continued growth for carbonates in South Africa
Non-cola carbonates sees fastest rise
Pricing to remain key to success
AI to have greater role in category development
Health trends will continue to shape progress
Coca-Cola continues to dominate
PepsiCo benefits from acquisition
Supermarkets leads distribution and sees further growth in 2025
E-commerce as fastest-rising channel
Table 49 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Carbonates: Volume 2020-2025
Table 50 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Carbonates: Value 2020-2025
Table 51 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Carbonates: % Volume Growth 2020-2025
Table 52 Off-trade vs On-trade Sales of Carbonates: % Value Growth 2020-2025
Table 53 Off-trade Sales of Carbonates by Category: Volume 2020-2025
Table 54 Off-trade Sales of Carbonates by Category: Value 2020-2025
Table 55 Off-trade Sales of Carbonates by Category: % Volume Growth 2020-2025
Table 56 Off-trade Sales of Carbonates by Category: % Value Growth 2020-2025
Table 57 Total Sales of Carbonates by Fountain On-trade: Volume 2020-2025
Table 58 Total Sales of Carbonates by Fountain On-trade: % Volume Growth 2020-2025
Table 59 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Carbonates: % Volume 2021-2025
Table 60 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Carbonates: % Volume 2022-2025
Table 61 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Carbonates: % Value 2021-2025
Table 62 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Carbonates: % Value 2022-2025
Table 63 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Carbonates by Category: Volume 2025-2030
Table 64 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Carbonates by Category: Value 2025-2030
Table 65 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Carbonates by Category: % Volume Growth 2025-2030
Table 66 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Carbonates by Category: % Value Growth 2025-2030
Table 67 Forecast Total Sales of Carbonates by Fountain On-trade: Volume 2025-2030
Table 68 Forecast Total Sales of Carbonates by Fountain On-trade: % Volume Growth 2025-2030
Concentrates in South Africa
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Concentrates sees rising demand driven by affordability, with liquid formats outperforming
Liquid concentrates leads growth through convenience and versatility
Powder concentrates suffers from low innovation
Low-cost nature of concentrates should see sales rise during forecast period
Mobile commerce and social media trends to have growing impact
Potential legislative developments may hinder progress
Bromor maintains overall leadership of concentrates in 2025
Private label sees further expansion
Supermarkets channel benefits from promotions and accessibility
E-commerce caters to convenience demand through delivery and subscription
Concentrates Conversions
Summary 2 Concentrates Conversion Factors for Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Format
Table 69 Off-trade Sales of Concentrates (RTD) by Category: Volume 2020-2025
Table 70 Off-trade Sales of Concentrates (RTD) by Category: % Volume Growth 2020-2025
Table 71 Off-trade Sales of Concentrates by Category: Value 2020-2025
Table 72 Off-trade Sales of Concentrates by Category: % Value Growth 2020-2025
Table 73 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Concentrates (RTD): % Volume 2022-2025
Table 74 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Concentrates: % Value 2021-2025
Table 75 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Concentrates: % Value 2022-2025
Table 76 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Liquid Concentrates (RTD): % Volume 2021-2025
Table 77 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Liquid Concentrates (RTD): % Volume 2022-2025
Table 78 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Powder Concentrates (RTD): % Volume 2021-2025
Table 79 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Powder Concentrates (RTD): % Volume 2022-2025
Table 80 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Concentrates (RTD) by Category: Volume 2025-2030
Table 81 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Concentrates (RTD) by Category: % Volume Growth 2025-2030
Table 82 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Concentrates by Category: Value 2025-2030
Table 83 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Concentrates by Category: % Value Growth 2025-2030
Juice in South Africa
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Juice sees volume recovery as prices stabilise and 100% juice leads growth
Prices stabilise, supporting volume growth for juice in 2025
100% juice drives overall growth
Natural trend will continue to benefit juice
Digital development and functional positioning inform innovation
Sustainability set to accelerate
Clover continues to lead through Clover Krush brand
Private label sees further expansion
Supermarkets leads distribution thanks to broad and convenient offer
E-commerce benefits from wide selection and frequent promotions
Table 84 Off-trade Sales of Juice by Category: Volume 2020-2025
Table 85 Off-trade Sales of Juice by Category: Value 2020-2025
Table 86 Off-trade Sales of Juice by Category: % Volume Growth 2020-2025
Table 87 Off-trade Sales of Juice by Category: % Value Growth 2020-2025
Table 88 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Juice: % Volume 2021-2025
Table 89 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Juice: % Volume 2022-2025
Table 90 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Juice: % Value 2021-2025
Table 91 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Juice: % Value 2022-2025
Table 92 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Juice by Category: Volume 2025-2030
Table 93 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Juice by Category: Value 2025-2030
Table 94 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Juice by Category: % Volume Growth 2025-2030
Table 95 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Juice by Category: % Value Growth 2025-2030
RTD Coffee in South Africa
KEY DATA FINDINGS
RTD coffee sees rising interest but remains constrained by affordability
Rising sales for RTD coffee in 2025
On-the-go trends spurs new launches
Struggles ahead for RTD coffee in South Africa
E-commerce and tech advancements to inform innovation
Health awareness will accelerate shift towards reduced sugar options
Major players offer iced variants
Brands battle for attention as high prices deter local consumers
Supermarkets as preferred channel for RTD coffee purchases
Forecourt retailers sees slowed growth amid rising competition
Table 96 Off-trade Sales of RTD Coffee: Volume 2020-2025
Table 97 Off-trade Sales of RTD Coffee: Value 2020-2025
Table 98 Off-trade Sales of RTD Coffee: % Volume Growth 2020-2025
Table 99 Off-trade Sales of RTD Coffee: % Value Growth 2020-2025
Table 100 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade RTD Coffee: % Volume 2021-2025
Table 101 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade RTD Coffee: % Volume 2022-2025
Table 102 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade RTD Coffee: % Value 2021-2025
Table 103 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade RTD Coffee: % Value 2022-2025
Table 104 Forecast Off-trade Sales of RTD Coffee: Volume 2025-2030
Table 105 Forecast Off-trade Sales of RTD Coffee: Value 2025-2030
Table 106 Forecast Off-trade Sales of RTD Coffee: % Volume Growth 2025-2030
Table 107 Forecast Off-trade Sales of RTD Coffee: % Value Growth 2025-2030
RTD Tea in South Africa
KEY DATA FINDINGS
RTD tea sees modest rises as health trends favour rooibos and kombucha
RTD tea struggles with low volume growth in 2025
Kombucha continues to attract attentions
Functional offerings set to drive growth in forecast period
Digital developments will shape category progress
Health and wellness trends will continue to accelerate
Lipton brand leads through appealing flavours
Kombucha trend supports growth for specialist company
RTD tea sees most success in supermarkets
Third-party platforms and players’ own sites expand, supporting rise in e-commerce distribution
Table 108 Off-trade Sales of RTD Tea by Category: Volume 2020-2025
Table 109 Off-trade Sales of RTD Tea by Category: Value 2020-2025
Table 110 Off-trade Sales of RTD Tea by Category: % Volume Growth 2020-2025
Table 111 Off-trade Sales of RTD Tea by Category: % Value Growth 2020-2025
Table 112 Leading Flavours for Off-trade RTD Tea: % Volume 2020-2025
Table 113 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade RTD Tea: % Volume 2021-2025
Table 114 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade RTD Tea: % Volume 2022-2025
Table 115 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade RTD Tea: % Value 2021-2025
Table 116 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade RTD Tea: % Value 2022-2025
Table 117 Forecast Off-trade Sales of RTD Tea by Category: Volume 2025-2030
Table 118 Forecast Off-trade Sales of RTD Tea by Category: Value 2025-2030
Table 119 Forecast Off-trade Sales of RTD Tea by Category: % Volume Growth 2025-2030
Table 120 Forecast Off-trade Sales of RTD Tea by Category: % Value Growth 2025-2030
Energy Drinks in South Africa
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Energy drinks sees rapid rises as convenience and fitness trends strengthen
Convenience demand and rising interest in fitness support sales in energy drinks in 2025
Consumers shift towards reduced sugar options
Collaborations with sports teams will boost visibility and engagement
Smart manufacturing set to streamline production processes
Packaging will see greater investment in sustainability
Coca-Cola’s Monster Energy brand maintains overall leadership
Low-cost Score brand soars ahead
Supermarkets maintains distribution lead thanks to extensive reach and promotional strategies
E-commerce rises through strong presence of healthy and functional variants
Table 121 Off-trade Sales of Energy Drinks: Volume 2020-2025
Table 122 Off-trade Sales of Energy Drinks: Value 2020-2025
Table 123 Off-trade Sales of Energy Drinks: % Volume Growth 2020-2025
Table 124 Off-trade Sales of Energy Drinks: % Value Growth 2020-2025
Table 125 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Energy Drinks: % Volume 2021-2025
Table 126 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Energy Drinks: % Volume 2022-2025
Table 127 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Energy Drinks: % Value 2021-2025
Table 128 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Energy Drinks: % Value 2022-2025
Table 129 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Energy Drinks: Volume 2025-2030
Table 130 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Energy Drinks: Value 2025-2030
Table 131 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Energy Drinks: % Volume Growth 2025-2030
Table 132 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Energy Drinks: % Value Growth 2025-2030
Sports Drinks in South Africa
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Sports drinks sees strong volume gains as fitness culture expands
Strong volume growth for sports drinks amid accelerating fitness trends
Sponsorships boost visibility and sales
Increased interest in exercise ensures continued growth during forecast period
Digital development will spur innovation and expansion
Ingredients to be increasingly scrutinised by consumers and health associations
Bromor leads through popular Energade brand
Isofit gains ground as it challenges stronghold of established players
Shoppers buy their sports drinks mainly from supermarkets
E-commerce continues to post robust rises
Table 133 Off-trade Sales of Sports Drinks: Volume 2020-2025
Table 134 Off-trade Sales of Sports Drinks: Value 2020-2025
Table 135 Off-trade Sales of Sports Drinks: % Volume Growth 2020-2025
Table 136 Off-trade Sales of Sports Drinks: % Value Growth 2020-2025
Table 137 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Sports Drinks: % Volume 2021-2025
Table 138 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Sports Drinks: % Volume 2022-2025
Table 139 NBO Company Shares of Off-trade Sports Drinks: % Value 2021-2025
Table 140 LBN Brand Shares of Off-trade Sports Drinks: % Value 2022-2025
Table 141 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Sports Drinks: Volume 2025-2030
Table 142 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Sports Drinks: Value 2025-2030
Table 143 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Sports Drinks: % Volume Growth 2025-2030
Table 144 Forecast Off-trade Sales of Sports Drinks: % Value Growth 2025-2030
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Soft Drinks
-
-
- Carbonated Natural Mineral Bottled Water
- Carbonated Spring Bottled Water
- Carbonated Purified Bottled Water
-
- Still Flavoured Bottled Water
- Sparkling Flavoured Bottled Water
- Functional Bottled Water
-
- Still Natural Mineral Bottled Water
- Still Spring Bottled Water
- Still Purified Bottled Water
-
-
- Regular Carbonates
- Reduced Sugar Carbonates
-
- Regular Cola Carbonates
- Reduced Sugar Cola Carbonates
-
- Regular Non-Cola Carbonates
- Reduced Sugar Non-Cola Carbonates
-
- Regular Lemonade/Lime
- Reduced Sugar Lemonade/Lime
-
- Regular Tonic Water/Mixers/Other Bitters
- Reduced Sugar Tonic Water/Mixers/Other Bitters
-
- Regular Orange Carbonates
- Reduced Sugar Orange Carbonates
-
- Regular Other Non-Cola Carbonates
- Reduced Sugar Other Non-Cola Carbonates
-
- Liquid Concentrates
- Powder Concentrates
-
-
- Not from Concentrate 100% Juice
- Reconstituted 100% Juice
- Coconut and Other Plant Waters
- Juice Drinks (up to 24% Juice)
- Nectars
-
- RTD Coffee
-
- Carbonated RTD Tea and Kombucha
-
- Regular Still RTD Tea
- Reduced Sugar Still RTD Tea
-
- Regular Energy Drinks
- Reduced Sugar Energy Drinks
-
- 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.
See all of our definitions
Share:
Why 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 Soft Drinks research and analysis database.
NEW REPORT GUARANTEE
If you purchase a report that is updated in the next 60 days, we will send you the new edition and data extraction Free!