The soft drinks market - France

Non-carbonated beverages (iced teas, nectars, fruit drinks, cold infusions, etc.)

The sector has historically been based on a global duopoly dominated by Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, supplemented by a few major players such as Orangina Suntory. In 2023, Coca-Cola alone will account for 49.6% of the French market in value terms, illustrating a highly concentrated market structure. Supermarkets (36.2%) and hypermarkets (29.7%) remain the main sales channels, although alternative channels (e-commerce, pharmacies, EDMP) are gradually developing. In economic terms, the soft drinks segment is the growth driver. It accounted for 47.9% of market share in 2023, against 29.8% for waters and 22.6% for fruit juices. Soft-drinks sales grew by +9.7% between 2022 and 2023, thanks in particular to the dynamism of energy drinks (+20.7% in volume). on a global scale, market growth remains sustained, with a compound annual growth rate of +6.5% expected between 2022 and 2027, driven in particular by Asia-Pacific [Industry Reports]. However, the sector is facing growing regulatory challenges, such as the doubling of the soda tax in France at the beginning of 2025, which could affect the competitiveness of local producers, even though over 90% of BRSA consumed in France is produced domestically. Against this changing backdrop, supply is evolving rapidly to meet a more demanding demand, focused on health, sustainability and innovation. New formats are emerging, such as solid flavourings (lozenges or microdrinks for dilution), embodied by brands like Waterdrop or Hydratis, which combine sugar reduction, portability and ecological commitment. These solutions, enriched with electrolytes or vitamins, reflect a desire to renew the sector's traditional codes and address more personalized uses, at the crossroads of well-being, sport and everyday life.