RTD tea in South Africa is recording low but positive retail volume growth in 2025, as consumers shift away from sugary drinks and favour beverages with natural ingredients, digestive benefits and lower sugar content. Rooibos-based RTD teas continue to gain momentum due to their antioxidant properties and strong local heritage appeal, while kombucha is the fastest rising segment, driven by wellness-focused shoppers and the expanding footprint of brands such as Happy Culture. Over the forecast pe

Bottled water in South Africa is recording rising retail volume sales in 2025, underpinned by ongoing water reliability issues, strong promotional activity and wide accessibility across formal and informal channels. Still bottled water remains the most dynamic subcategory, supported by affordability, extensive product ranges and consistent year-round demand. Private label and low-cost purified water brands are gaining share through competitive pricing and bulk formats, while premium brands maint

Carbonates in South Africa is recording higher retail volume sales in 2025, supported by expanded production capacity, competitive pricing and stronger distribution networks. Coca-Cola has reinforced its leadership through major bottling investment, while PepsiCo - via Varun Beverages’ acquisition of BevCo - has broadened its portfolio and improved logistics reach. Non-cola carbonates is the fastest-rising subcategory, while reduced sugar cola carbonates is also gaining traction as consumers shi

Concentrates in South Africa is recording steady retail volume growth in 2025, supported by affordability pressures, household consumption needs and the versatility of liquid formats. Liquid concentrates is the most dynamic component of the category, benefiting from cost-effective preparation, broader flavour ranges and strong availability in supermarkets and discount retailers. By contrast, powder concentrates shows only marginal increases, constrained by limited innovation, weaker quality perc

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

RTD coffee in South Africa is posting retail volume growth in 2025, supported by demand for premium, convenient coffee formats and the relaunch of well-known international brands such as Starbucks Frappuccino. New canned ranges from Douwe Egberts are reinforcing the on-the-go positioning of the category, particularly among urban professionals and students. However, the high price point of RTD coffee continues to limit reach beyond higher-income consumers. Over the forecast period, retail volume

Juice in South Africa is posting rising retail volume sales in 2025 as prices stabilise following the sharp cost increases of 2024, when global supply shortages - particularly from Brazil - drove up local production costs. With supply normalising, demand is rebounding, especially for affordable formats and private label. The strongest performer is 100% juice, supported by stable pricing, broad flavour variety and improved raw material costs. Looking ahead, retail volume sales are expected to con

Energy drinks in South Africa is recording strong retail volume growth in 2025, driven by rising urban mobility, convenience needs and growing participation in fitness and sports activities. The category benefits from heavy consumption among young professionals and students, supported by broad distribution, promotional intensity and expanding penetration in gyms and forecourt retailers. Reduced sugar energy drinks is the most dynamic subcategory as consumers increasingly shift toward cleaner, fu

Sports drinks in South Africa is recording rapid retail volume growth in 2025, driven by rising fitness participation among younger urban consumers and growing demand for hydration and recovery solutions. Community-based sports, school athletics and running clubs continue to expand, strengthening the role of sports drinks as an everyday hydration choice rather than a niche performance product. Brand visibility is further supported by high-profile sponsorships, including Powerade’s Springboks-the

Between 2019 and 2024, South Africa’s regulatory environment worsened, due to high taxes and state interference in finance, limiting economic growth. Load shedding caused major disruptions for businesses, though business confidence has since increased significantly as the energy crisis has eased. Trade and digitalisation saw mixed progress during the review period, held back by skills shortages and a persistent digital divide.

Hot drinks in South Africa is recording rapid retail value growth in 2025, driven primarily by price increases linked to higher input costs for coffee, cocoa and dairy rather than rising consumption, keeping affordability and promotions at the centre of purchasing decisions. Sustainability is becoming a core industry pillar, with leading players and packaging suppliers investing in responsible sourcing, regenerative agriculture and recyclable or compostable formats, while rooibos’ protected orig

Tea in South Africa is seeing rising retail value sales in 2025, underpinned by the everyday role of black tea and the strong cultural and health appeal of indigenous rooibos and honeybush. Fruit/herbal and green tea are driving growth, as brands and private label expand functional blends with botanicals such as ginger, moringa and CBD to meet growing demand for wellness-oriented beverages. Over the forecast period, both value and volume sales of tea are expected to increase, supported by cross-

Other hot drinks in South Africa is recording rising retail value sales in 2025, but sharp increases in global cocoa prices and higher unit prices are constraining volumes and reinforcing the category’s sensitivity to commodity cost inflation. Flavoured powder drinks and other plant-based hot drinks are recording strong growth, as consumers seek more affordable, nutritious alternatives. Innovation is focused on fortified, reduced-sugar and collagen-enriched products that align with broader healt

Coffee in South Africa is recording rapid retail value growth in 2025, primarily due to sharp hikes in global coffee commodity prices, with manufacturers raising unit prices while absorbing part of the margin pressure. Fresh coffee beans is the most dynamic subcategory, supported by higher-income consumers investing in bean-to-cup machines and trading up from instant coffee as the price gap narrows and interest in quality, freshness and origin grows. Over the forecast period, value sales will co

Sauces, dips and condiments faced challenges in 2025, as shoppers made some cutbacks amid cost of living pressures. The prevalence of home cooking in South Africa has provided the overall category with a lifeline, supporting growth of basic cooking ingredients.

Strong growth in sweet spreads was bolstered by heavy consumption among children in 2025, with peanut butter a popular addition in packed school lunches. Healthier diets are driving interest in alternative nut and seed-based spreads. Affordable private label options have made sweet spreads accessible to a broad cross-section of the South African population, supporting category performance.

The shift towards more affordable edible oils continued over 2025, with many price conscious shoppers electing to buy more sunflower oil. Supermarkets played a pivotal role by leveraging promotional strategies to drive category sales.

Cooking ingredients and meals in South Africa witnessed robust sales in 2025, marked by strong retail value growth and marginal volume growth. The solid performance was driven by a sustained focus on home cooking, as economic pressures and lifestyle shifts continued to reinforce the habit of preparing meals at home.

Meals and soups benefit from the strong role of supermarkets and private label, enticing shoppers with a range of affordable lines and promotional deals. Whilst dry soups form the backbone of this category, the range of indulgent and nutritious products is expanding.

Retail value sales and occupancy rates in South Africa’s lodging category are increasing steadily in 2025, supported by a powerful mix of extended stays, local leisure demand and a surge in business and MICE travel linked to South Africa’s G20 Presidency. Hotels and alternative accommodations are benefiting from the recovery in both domestic and international tourism, particularly in the premium and experience-led segments where rate increases lifted revenue without deterring travellers.

South Africa’s travel industry is recording further rises in 2025, reflecting a solid growth in both inbound and outbound tourism, renewed confidence in air connectivity and the consolidation of a more digital, purpose-driven travel ecosystem. Inbound arrivals continue to rise, buoyed by regional strength, long-haul recovery and South Africa’s strong value-for-money positioning amid a weaker rand. Neighbouring SADC markets Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho, Eswatini and Botswana remain the largest v

Retail value sales in South Africa’s airlines category are seeing solid growth in 2025, supported by stronger mobility and improved accessibility across domestic, regional and international routes. Demand for air travel continues to rise as carriers prioritised connectivity, affordability and decentralisation from major hubs. Low-cost airline Flysafair maintains leadership among airline brands and has expanded its network with a new daily route between Lanseria International Airport and George,

Inbound tourism to South Africa has strengthened in 2025, driven by robust regional demand, proactive destination marketing and expanding connectivity. African source markets remain the backbone of growth, with neighbouring countries providing a resilient base of visitors through land travel, cross-border trade and visiting-friends-and-relatives (VFR) trips.

Value sales are rising for booking in South Africa in 2025, reflecting a marked shift toward premium, experience-led and purpose-driven travel. Despite inflationary pressures and uncertainty surrounding VAT adjustments, travellers continue to prioritise value and meaning in their travel decisions. This has led to robust demand for high-quality, curated experiences - particularly wellness-focused lodges, coastal retreats and luxury safari properties offering personalised service, sustainability c