Global iced tea consumption exceeded 35 billion liters in 2015, according to a Zenith International report.
Since 2010, the market has grown by 44%, well above the 25% rate for all soft drinks.
Zenith attributes its strong growth to consumers’ greater health awareness, choosing beverages that offer health benefits and thirst-quenching properties without compromising on taste.
Points highlighted by the 2016 Zenith Global Ready-To-Drink Tea Report include:
– Asia Pacific has a commanding 72% volume share led by China and Japan, yet the region’s consumption per person is less than half that of North America and only slightly higher than Europe.
– North America enjoys the highest consumption per person, recording robust growth fueled by innovation and promotion of the category’s health positioning.
– Europe’s performance has been mixed, with West Europe witnessing steady growth and East Europe posting a decline, primarily due to reduced consumer purchasing power in some countries and greater price sensitivity.
– Latin America and Africa Middle East achieved the highest growth rates of over 10% a year between 2010 and 2015.
“Ready to drink tea has multiple attractions for millennial and other adult consumers,” said chairman Richard Hall.
“It’s refreshing, light, natural and generally healthy, with a heritage as well as provenance that consumers increasingly value.”
“New lower calorie launches have added extra appeal.”
Zenith forecasts that consumption will continue growing by 4.4% a year to reach almost 44 billion liters by 2020.
