Hot Drink Industry: Market Research Reports, Statistics and Analysis

Key Segments

• Coffee is the world’s most preferred beverage. Global Industry Analysts estimates more than 400 billion cups of coffee are consumed yearly. Traditionally considered a daily habit, coffee consumption has risen in the public eye to a healthy lifestyle choice, forming a vital part of many consumers’ daily rituals. Consumption and trade are expected to grow in recovering economies. Over coming years, penetration in developing markets will continue, production acreage will rise and pricing will continue witnessing a degree of fluctuation.

• Brazil is the world’s largest coffee producer. The country’s coffee consumption rose 5% in 2010, more than double the global average increase of 2%. Coffee consumption in India and China is rising due to an expanding middle class consumer base and a rising number of young professionals in the workforce. Rising disposable incomes are fuelling increased coffee consumption in other markets such as Russia, Ukraine and a number of Middle Eastern countries, promising strong short-to-medium market expansion.

Industry Leaders

• Kraft Foods is the world’s top hot drinks company, producing almost 10% of market volume, reports MarketLine. Other leading companies operating in the global hot drinks market include Starbucks, Nestle, Parry Agro, Strauss Group, Unilever, Van Houtte, Maxingvest, Tata Global Beverages, Hindustan Unilever and Tata Tetley.

Regional Market Share

• NAFTA countries combined to generate more than $11,000 million from hot drinks in 2009, reports MarketLine. Mexico represented the country with the fastest growth at a yearly rate of 6% between 2005 and 2009. The US hot drinks market dominates in terms of revenue, generating close to $10 billion in 2009; it is forecast to generate closer to $11 billion in 2014, remaining the largest contributor among NAFTA countries.

• China’s hot drinks industry was worth close to $10.5 billion in 2009, according to research from MarketLine. Tea sales represented the leading market segment generating just under $10 billion, accounting for almost 97% of the overall market. Market growth is expected to slow to a yearly rate of just over 6.5% between 2009 and 2014, bringing the market to just over $14 billion.

Market Outlook

The global tea and coffee market will continue to record growth over coming years, fuelled by quality, premiumization and consumer awareness regarding issues of health. Global Industry Analysts predicts the coffee market will record a moderate rate of growth due in part to the success of specialty espresso-based drinks among younger consumers.

Growth in the tea market will be fuelled mainly by rising awareness of its potential health benefits. Research has shown tea to lower the risk of chronic conditions such as certain cancers, heart attack and coronary artery disease. Consumers are taking increasing responsibility for their health, seeking preventative measures through lifestyle choices, such as what drinks they consume, which bodes well for the tea market.

Leading Industry Associations

• Specialty Coffee Association of America www.scaa.org
• National Coffee Association www.ncausa.org
• International Coffee Association www.ico.org
• International Coffee Science Association www.coffeeresearch.org
• Indian Tea Association www.indiatea.org
• Tea Association of Canada www.tea.ca