Financial cards and payments in Chile performed well overall at the end of the review period. The number of financial cards in circulation rose in 2025, supported by Chilean consumers’ increased comfort with digital banking and evolving payments habits towards digital solutions. The expansion in cardholding was supported by a strong demand for debit and pre-paid cards, as well as a recovery in credit card issuance, in part driven by a more stable economic outlook and the increased commercial act

Total consumer credit in Chile’s outstanding balance saw a double-digit rise in current terms in 2025; faster than the 2024 increase. While the total outstanding balance of consumer credit is projected to continue rising in the forecast period, its trajectory is expected be shaped by several key factors, including employment recovery, wage growth and consumer confidence. These elements are closely linked to inflation and interest rate trends, which play a central role in influencing both the dem

Pre-paid cards in Chile saw a fast circulation increase in 2025, especially via open loop pre-paid cards. This performance reflected consumers adopting in larger numbers wallet adoption and being more comfortable with digital onboarding and digital cards. Players in the category have embraced this development, with most of them requiring consumers to actively request the physical card, rather than it being an automatic offering. As many users use digital wallets, they can be easily added and lev

Store cards in Chile remained on a downward trajectory in terms of the number of cards in circulation and transaction volumes and values in 2025. The decline in the category is underpinned by consumers continuing to favour other, more developed, payment methods, like debit, credit and open loop pre-paid cards. Many financial cards users prefer to consolidate spending on cards that offer broader merchant acceptance, better rewards and easier integration into digital wallets. Retailers have recogn

Credit cards in Chile saw a rise in the number of cards in circulation in 2025, as the category recovered from declines through most of the review period. This supported strong rises in the number and value of transactions at the end of the review period. The growth in the category was supported by stabilisation in the economy, with a more stable inflation rate. The market also witnessed strong e-commerce penetration and the normalisation of discretionary spending, not only in retail, but also i

In 2025, debit cards in Chile saw a further, if slower, increase in the number of cards in circulation, supported by consumers in the country continuing to position the method as one of the main solutions in the payments system. The easy access to the payment method, facilitated by players like Banco del Estado de Chile, Banco de Chile and Banco Santander Chile, has driven up card numbers over the years, making Chilean consumers increasingly used to using debit cards. Digital, fast and easy open

Consumers in Chile are becoming increasingly conscious of the ingredients in the products that they buy and eat and the impact they have on their health and the environment. Companies and retailers are following and responding to this through a growing assortment of health and wellness positioned food and beverages, with this being accompanied by a growing focus on the environment and animal welfare. However, elevated inflation and rising costs limited the ability of some players to invest in ne

Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the health and wellness benefits of the products they consume and this is also having a growing impact on their choice of hot drinks. Alongside better for you claims such as low/no sugar, consumers are also looking for products with functional claims such as relaxation, immunity support and digestive health. These are often accompanied by natural and organic claims, with consumers becoming increasingly concerned about the health impact of consuming ar

Despite the challenging economic conditions within Chile, consumers retained a willingness to invest in soft drinks with health and wellness claims in 2024. Rising rates of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases have led to increased awareness around the importance of following a healthier diet and lifestyle and this has influenced demand and new product development within soft drinks. Alongside better for you claims such as low/no sugar, consumers are also increasingly looking for fortif

Since the pandemic, consumers in Chile have become increasingly informed about the impact of their dietary choices on their health and the environment. This is encouraging consumers to follow healthier diets, including when it comes to snacks. Consumers are not only looking for snacks with better for you claims, such as low sugar and low fat, but also natural and functional claims. Despite this focus on health and sustainability, consumers still want their snacks to taste good, which is pushing

Faced with rising rates of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, consumers are increasingly looking to make healthier dietary choices which is impacting demand for health and wellness dairy products and alternatives. While better for you claims, such as low fat and low sugar, remain popular, there is growing scepticism towards the artificial ingredients that are often found in these products. This has driven interest in organic and natural products with these often perceived to be health

Economic pressures and rising prices pushed consumers to make more budget conscious purchasing behaviour in 2024. However, this did push consumers to make more home cooked meals which benefited sales of cooking ingredients, especially those with a health and wellness positioning. Consumers are paying more attention to what goes into their food and this is also benefiting sales of health and wellness cooking ingredients and meals, with an emphasis on natural products, as well as those with functi

Chile faced significant economic pressures in 2024 due to high inflation and rising prices. Despite this, many consumers remained keen to pursue healthier eating habits due to increasing interest and awareness in the role diet plays in long-term health outcomes. Aside from health considerations, local consumers are also showing growing concern for the wider impact of their purchasing behaviour on the environment and animal welfare, which is fuelling demand for claims such as natural and vegetari

Carbonates in Chile has struggled amidst tough economic conditions and a growing health trend. This has seen consumers move to lower-priced and/or perceived healthier products. Within carbonates, this is seeing reduced sugar variants outpace regular ones in off-trade volume growth terms. Nonetheless, indulgence and taste remained key drivers of regular carbonates consumption at the end of the review period. Importantly, key carbonates players are investing heavily in finding ways to engage and w

Over 2025, RTD tea in Chile is projected to see further double-digit growth in off-trade volume and current value sales terms. RTD tea’s health and wellness positioning, related to antioxidants, less caffeine than many coffees and hydrating qualities, helped the category to continue to perform strongly at the end of the review period. Additionally, demand is supported by increasingly warmer summer months amidst climatic developments. As temperatures rise, there is an increasing demand for appeti

The economic situation and developments continued to impact the performance of soft drinks in Chile at the end of the review period. The World Bank raised the growth projection for GDP in Chile for 2025, according to the monetary policy report of October 2025. Domestic demand is on the rise in 2025, while the price of copper, the country's largest export, showed some volatility. Meanwhile, shorter-term investment is anticipated to be more dynamic due to large mining and energy projects, whose bu

Retail and foodservice volume sales of bottled water in Chile are projected to increase strongly, and at a similar rate, over 2025 as a whole. Despite the challenging economic environment, bottled water emerged as a top performing category in growth terms in 2025. Health and wellbeing positioning and price advantages, with room for appetising options with healthier positioning for children, female consumers and families, are driving demand growth. In 2025, bottled water continued its upward traj

Concentrates in Chile is projected to continue to see only a marginal increase in off-trade RTD volume sales over 2025. Meanwhile, off-trade current value sales of concentrates in Chile are projected to decrease over 2025, albeit following fast increases in the previous two years. The stagnation in growth in the category is mainly due to an increasingly sophisticated Chilean consumer base that rejects options like concentrates, which are perceived as artificial, highly processed or unnatural. As

Retail volume sales of juice in Chile are projected to decline notably over 2025 as a whole. Impacted by climate conditions, leading to poorer harvests of key ingredients like oranges and higher prices, there has been a shift to lower-priced options, such as reconstituted 100% juice, and alternatives to orange juice. In a similar vein, lower-priced, if lower juice and nutrient content, nectars remain the best sellers in off-trade volume terms. Nonetheless, there remains a demand for healthier an

Energy drinks in Chile continued to perform strongly during 2025. These products enjoy numerous consumption occasions, such as for energy boosts, but also refreshment and fitness-orientated reasons. In line with general health and wellbeing trends, the reduced sugar category continues to develop in terms of offer and sales development. Importantly, the consumer base for energy drinks in Chile is expanding with the growing offer of affordable brands and widening distribution.

Off-trade volume sales of RTD coffee in Chile are projected to see a further, if marginal, decrease over 2025. Only high prices and a strong increase in the average unit price are driving ongoing strong growth in off-trade current value sales at the end of the review period. RTD coffee continues to struggle to gain acceptance in Chile, largely due to the distinct taste preferences of local consumers, a narrow product offer and limitations on distribution.

Sports drinks in Chile is seeing fast declines in demand towards the end of the review period, albeit following dynamic increases in the early review period. Thus, off-trade volume sales of sports drinks in 2025 remain well above the level of the beginning of the review period. The category has received boosts from new product development and innovation, including new flavours and reduced sugar entries. Moreover, the launch of oral hydration solutions has increased the potential uses of sports d

Despite economic pressures prompting cautious spending, health and premium trends continued to shape choices. Tea remained the most consumed hot drink, benefiting from its affordability and healthy image, though overall performance stagnated. Coffee recorded marginal volume growth, led by fresh formats and a surge in specialist coffee shops offering premium experiences. Instant coffee declined, but fresh beans, ground coffee, and pods thrived in retail and foodservice channels. Other hot drinks,

In 2025, coffee prices in Chile surged due to climate change impacts, including droughts and irregular rainfall, which reduced crop yields and drove up green coffee costs. This led to higher retail prices and double-digit current value growth, though volume sales slowed, with instant coffee performing poorly. Conversely, instant coffee mixes and fresh coffee products gained traction, supported by affordability and flavour innovation. Foodservice saw a slight decline in instant coffee but benefit