Summary

Since 2020, the soft drinks market has been witnessing significant trends that affect both demand and supply. In France, the market is bifurcated between carbonated soft drinks (CSDs) and non-carbonated soft drinks, with the former including colas and the latter comprising fruit juices, among others. While fruit juice sales saw a slight decline by 0.3% in 2020, cola sales increased by 3.5% during the same period. The total value of the soft drink market in France was €5.42 billion in 2020, with carbonated CSDs accounting for €2.22 billion (a 2.9% increase) and non-carbonated CSDs making up €3.2 billion (a 1.7% increase). Consumers have been increasingly opting for healthier options, as evidenced by the growth in demand for low-sugar or sugar-free products and a heightened interest in organic soft drinks. The French CSD market is dominated by major players like Coca-Cola European Partners and Suntory Beverage, with Coca-Cola alone holding a substantial market share of 46.6% by volume and 49.6% by value in 2019. Regulatory measures, such as the "soda tax," have been imposed to discourage excessive sugar consumption, influencing both consumer behavior and industry practices. The pandemic has further accelerated the trend towards more responsible eating, with a marked consumer preference for sustainable, healthy, and organic products..**Transforming Tastes and Health-Conscious Trends Shaping Soft Drink Demand** As the soft drink market in the reviewed country continues to evolve, a shift in consumer preferences is evident with growing health consciousness and changing lifestyles taking center stage. The demand in this sector, valued at over €5 billion in recent times, has witnessed a notable preference for non-carbonated soft drinks, indicating a move towards healthier options. This change in consumer behavior has led to a modest decline in the fruit juice segment, while colas exhibited a mild increase in sales. The soft drink demand is intricately linked to various socio-economic determinants. There's a distinct consumption pattern based on demographic factors such as age, gender, education level, and geographical location. For example, households in certain regions consume carbonated soft drinks at a rate about one and a half times more than the national average. Moreover, individuals with at least a Bachelor's degree tend to consume significantly fewer soft drinks than their counterparts with lower educational attainment. Interestingly, the growing trend toward healthier consumption has led water to emerge as a strong competitor to traditional soft drinks, with a year-on-year growth of around 3.5%, reaching around €2.5 billion. This move towards water consumption, both bottled and from the tap, is a reflection of widespread health-awareness campaigns and the rising popularity of mindful eating. The demand for soft drinks also has been adapting in face of the global health crisis. The pandemic has heightened consumer focus on health and wellness, urging them to reconsider their soft drink consumption habits. The trend is towards drinks with less sugar, more natural flavors, and a generally healthier profile. Surveys reveal that a substantial portion of the country's population is keen on reducing their sugar intake, aligning with a steady decrease in sugar consumption over the years. This tells us that the demand for soft drinks is increasingly moving in favor of those options which can offer health benefits or come with an improved nutritional profile. Lastly, the organic soft drink segment is burgeoning, signaling yet another facet of the consumers' demand for healthier and more responsible choices. With an impressive double-digit percentage growth in the organic market overall, soft drink companies have started taking action with launches of organic product lines by major companies. This shift is a clear indicator of an evolving market where the lines between the traditional soft drink roles and healthful options are blurring, explaining why today's market cannot be viewed through the same lens as that of yesteryears..### Key Powerhouses in the French Soft Drinks Market The French soft drinks market is a vibrant landscape where a handful of influential companies hold sway. This dominance is driven by their innovative product portfolios, strategic marketing, and deep-rooted brand recognition that appeals to diverse consumer preferences. **Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP)** sits at the pinnacle of the soft drink hierarchy, leading the market by a significant margin. Their ubiquitous brand is synonymous with soft drinks globally, and in France, they enjoy a lion's share of the market. With a wide array of products ranging from their classic Coca-Cola to a variety of light and zero-sugar options, they have managed to stay relevant even as consumer tastes evolve. **Orangina Schweppes** is another heavy hitter in the French market, boasting a portfolio of refreshing beverages including the iconic, bubbly Orangina and the versatile array of Schweppes mixers and sodas. Their products often strike a balance between tradition and innovation, offering new flavor experiences while maintaining core brand elements. **PepsiCo** is not far behind, wielding considerable influence through its global Pepsi brand. Known for its direct rivalry with Coca-Cola, PepsiCo provides consumers with an alternative in the cola war, along with a breadth of other beverages that cater to a variety of tastes and dietary preferences. **Refresco** operates somewhat behind the scenes but is a crucial player as a leading bottler for many of the market's products. Their ability to provide efficient and high-quality production services makes them a valued partner in the soft drinks supply chain. **Britvic** is well-established, notable for both manufacturing their own brands and distributing others. Their presence in the market signifies a blend of international flavor with local adaptation, offering consumers a taste of global trends as well as familiar homegrown options. **LSDH** (Laiterie de Saint-Denis-de-l'Hôtel) may not be a household name like some of its counterparts, but it is a formidable entity in the French beverage industry, particularly known for producing fruit juices and other non-alcoholic drinks that have carved out their niche in the everyday lives of the French. **Eckes Granini** is recognized for its focus on fruit juices and nectars. Their presence in the market underscores the importance of health-oriented beverages that prioritize natural ingredients and taste. **Monin** stands out with its vast assortment of syrups that not only cater to the hospitality industry but also to consumers looking for premium options to enhance their drinking experience at home

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  • Last update : 10/05/2023
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Summary and extracts

1 Market overview

1.1. Definition and presentation

Soft drinks are beverages made primarily from water(over 90% of the composition), but also with other ingredients, such as sugar. These refreshing beverages, also known as soft drinks, can be consumed in a variety of contexts (after sport, during a meal, etc.) and in different forms (cans, bottles, etc.).

One of the sector's great strengths lies in the diversity of its offer, which appeals to a wide range of consumers. There are two main categories:

  • Carbonated soft drinks,
  • Non-carbonated soft drinks.

worldwide, sales of soft drinks and juices are expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.5% between 2022 and 2027. This is partly due to the dynamism of the soft drinks market in the Asia-Pacific region [Industry Reports].

The world's leading soft drinks players are Coca-Cola, Pepsi Co and Orangina Suntory. As for the French market, the players are broadly identical to those present on the global market.

While the non-carbonated beverage segment in France has been struggling (-1.5% sales in 2020 vs. 2019), weighed down by falling fruit juice sales, the carbonated beverage segment has remained fairly stable, with a -0.1% drop in sales in 2020 vs. 2019. What's more, the recovery for soft drinks was not long in coming, as growth in 2021 was 7.1%, with a volume effect of 6% [LSA].

The structure of the market is evolving, with a multiplicity of small companies gradually appearing in the sector, relying on changing consumer demand to reach niche markets. Beverages are now marketed with lower sugar content, while vegan ingredients and tropical flavours are on the increase.

The soft drinks market includes all non-alcoholic beverages with the exception of mineral water (bottled water), which will be excluded by default and is the subject of a separate study (cf. businesscoot study: "The bottled water market").

1.2. a fast-growing global market

In ****, the soft drinks market generated total sales of $*,***.* billion worldwide. With sales of $***.* billion in ****, carbonated soft drinks accounted for **% of the NAB market , making them the largest segment.

Breakdown of global sales for soft drinks World, ****, in Source: ****

Global sales of soft drinks will increase at a CAGR of ...

1.3. Two paths for the French market

An overview of the soft drinks market

Sales in the soft drinks market France, ****-****, in € billions Source: ****

It's clear that over the past * years, the BRSA market has been growing steadily, reaching sales of *.* billion in ****. Overall, with the exception of **** and ****, sales in the carbonated BRSA market have risen ...

1.4 The impact of the covid-19 pandemic on French consumer habits

The soft drinks market in difficulty, with a drop in at-home consumption

The health crisis has changed the way the French consume soft drinks. Consumption of soft drinks experienced difficulties during the various confinements, as according to a study by FranceAgriMer, the French preferred to more essential food products than non-alcoholic ...

1.5 The global market for sugar-free soft drinks

The sugar-free soda segment is smaller than the traditional carbonated soda segment, which was worth $**.* billion in ****, but it's growing much faster. Sales of sugar-free soda grew by **. *% year-on-year in ****, compared with just *. *% for regular sodas over the same period, making it an attractive segment for soda manufacturers looking for ...

2 Demand analysis

2.1 Socio-economic determinants of BRSA demand

In July ****, the French National Agency for Food Safety(***) delivered a comprehensive study of French eating habits and lifestyles. This study is carried out every seven years.

There are significant differences in consumption between men and women. The average amount of food consumed by a French person is *.* kg per day, ...

2.2. French consumer habits

The French have changed their consumption habits. Today, the act of consuming is no longer simply a means to an end, but has become for some the result of a conscious choice. This means consuming organic or fair-trade products. This natural aspect is increasingly demanded of soft drink manufacturers by consumers, ...

2.3. The organic and CBD soft drinks market segments: a new Eldorado?

organic consumption trends in France

France, ****-****, billions of euros Source: ****

The organic market

In ****, **% of French people consumed organic food, and this market, which is no longer a niche, is reaching more and more people, as evidenced by the **.* billion euros generated in ****, an increase of **.*% since ****. These good results ...

2.4. Consumption of sugar-free and low-fat soft drinks

When it comes to drinks containing sweeteners, parents have mixed opinions. Although they allow their children to consume them, they don't see these drinks as healthy, dietetic alternatives to sugary drinks. This ambivalence offers many opportunities for innovation for companies.

The penetration rate of sweetened beverages in French households with children ...

3 Market structure

3.1. A highly concentrated market despite a wide range of players

In ****, there were around *** companies specializing in the production of fruit juices, soft drinks or bottled water. However, the *** companies producing soft drinks and bottled water generated almost ** times more sales than fruit juice manufacturers[***].

In the more general beverage manufacturing segment, companies with between * and * employees account for **.*% of companies ...

3.2. Production dominated by BRSA

Production sales in **** amounted to almost *.* billion euros.[***]

Production in France is essentially made up of waters with added sugar or other sweeteners, with a **% share of production in ****.

Breakdown of soft drinks production by value France, ****, % Source: Agreste PRODCOM code: **.** & **.**.**

This production is carried out in large factories (***), following recipes ...

3.3. Distribution is mainly through supermarkets

The distribution network to the end consumer is shown below:

GMS: supermarkets and hypermarkets

Depending on the product, the distribution network will be different. Three different types of player can be distinguished in the production (***) of soft drinks.

Specialists in industrial subcontracting, who generate most of their revenues by producing for ...

3.4 An overview of the players in the soft drinks market

Players in the soft drinks market

Market share of soft drinks players in volume and value (***) France, ****, in Source: ****

HMSM: Hypermarkets and Supermarkets

One player dominates the soft drinks market in France: Coca-Cola, which had **.*% of market share by volume and **.*% of market share by value in ****. Coca-Cola alone had almost ...

4 Offer analysis

4.1. A wide variety of BRSAs

Refreshing beverages in France encompass several product families. The Boissons Rafraîchissantes Sans Alcool (***) typologies encompass these different product families:

Colas, Still and sparkling fruit drinks, Lemonades, limes, tonics, Tea-based drinks (***), Flavored waters, Sugar-free drinks.

Non-alcoholic refreshment beverages comprise two main families: soft drinks and syrups and concentrates.

Two groups make ...

4.2. A range of prices reflecting the diversity of the offer

With the diversity of the offer, there is a consequent price range between the various products. While a bottle of Coca Cola is sold for *.** euros per liter for the *.** L format [***].

The table below shows Carrefour's prices for different types of soft drinks, according to their range.

Source: ****

It's clear ...

4.3 Upmarket offerings: a growing trend

In its annual BRSA report,LSA Conso has identified a number of key trends being followed by manufacturers.

The first concerns packaging, which now uses recycled plastic (***) to meet consumer expectations regarding ocean pollution. PepsiCo uses **% rPET in the manufacture of its plastic bottles. Coca-Cola has decided to introduce a single ...

4.4 Sugar-free soft drinks

"Sugar-free" has replaced "diet" for many calorie-free drinks. Canada Dry and Schweppes, *Up, A&W and Sunkist sodas, produced by Keurig Dr Pepper, now label their diet drinks "sugar-free". (***)

In recent years, drinks labelled "Zero" or "sugar-free" have seen strong growth in the soft drinks aisle. Since the launch of the ...

4.5 Partnerships that generate substantial sales

In ****, water and non-alcoholic beverages (***) recorded growth in value four times higher than that of all liquids. This growth was boosted by an exceptional weather effect of almost *.*%, as well as record inflation in the last quarter. In the face of this inflation, private labels have become an increasingly popular choice ...

5 Regulations

5.1 The "soda tax" reshuffles the deck

Introduced on January*, ****, the soda tax aims to limit the consumption of sugary drinks in France. It applies to fruit juices with added sugar, sweetened waters and soft drinks, whatever their distribution channel. [***] The tax is levied on the final consumer.

Source: ****

This tax is a threat to beverage distributors, but ...

List of charts

  • Breakdown of global sales for soft drinks
  • Worldwide soft drinks sales
  • Volume of soft drinks sold worldwide
  • Breakdown of soft drinks sales by segment in value terms
  • Sales in the soft drinks market
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Latest news

Coca-Cola: solid health in Q4 thanks to higher prices | Coca-Cola reports solid Q4 results. - 14/02/2023
  • 4th quarter sales: $10.1 billion
  • Sales up 7% year-on-year
  • Quarterly net profit: $2 billion
  • Price/mix effect for the quarter: up 12
  • Sales of soft drinks, water, energy drinks, tea and coffee: stable
  • Sales of juices, dairy products and plant-based beverages down 7%
  • Organic growth forecast for 2023: between 7% and 8%
SDH recycles the plastic in its milk bottles - 27/12/2023
  • The LSDH Group is committed to producing milk bottles with a minimum of 30% recycled content by 2024.
  • Launched in 2008, the recyclable and recycled opaque PET UHT milk bottle is the result of a consortium of 8 partners, including LSDH.
  • Since 2019, mass recycling of opaque PET has been possible thanks to LSDH.
  • Customers such as Carrefour and Relais Vert have been able to market bottles made from 100% recycled material.
  • The milk bottle made from 50% rPET has been well received by consumers, and sales volumes continue to rise.
Routin syrups shake up the beverage world - 08/02/2023
  • Routin sales double to €93 million
  • Controls 35% of the French domestic market, up 6% to €300 million
  • Owned by the Apax fund
  • Worldwide syrup sales reach €1 billion by 2022
  • Routin offers fruit purées, smoothies and sauces to cafés, bars, restaurants and other food service outlets in over 80 countries

Companies quoted in this study

This study contains a complete overview of the companies in the market, with the latest figures and news for each company. :

Coca-Cola Groupe
LSDH
Britvic
Eckes Granini
Monin Groupe
SPUR Jus
Unisource
Verger de Thau
Vitamont
SOJUFEL Provence Production
Sautter Pom Or
Routin Sirops

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