Despite a surge in diet CSD consumption, 49% of category consumers have cut down in the three months to January 2026 due to concerns about artificial sweeteners. This implicates sugar…
Germany
Carbonated Soft Drinks
simple
Germany Carbonated Soft Drinks Market Report 2026
"Functional drinks are surging. CSD brands can adopt functional claims, where the full positioning signals wellness, for example through low‑sugar recipes using more juice, honey or added fibre."
Despite a surge in diet CSD consumption, 49% of category consumers have cut down in the three months to January 2026 due to concerns about artificial sweeteners. This implicates sugar and processing concerns as key threats to the category, resulting in stagnating volume sales. Brands can adapt with low-sugar variants, drawing on natural sweeteners and less-sweet profiles to broaden appeal.
Functional drinks already account for 20% of non-alcoholic drink launches in Germany in 2025. CSDs have been slower to switch, with just 4% of launches claiming added functionality, and while this highlights untapped potential, consumers remain divided on trusting health claims, making credibility and brand authenticity more critical than ever. Sceptics require evidence-based claims and clean labels, making transparency and consistency pivotal to unlock growth for wellness-focused or functional launches.
Brand loyalty remains a defining force in the German CSD sector, reflected in the cola flavour maintaining a stronghold, and global CSD leaders continuing to dominate, even during heightened localism and international tensions. Although premium prices likely slowed adoption of local or challenger brands, a shift toward local ingredients, culturally relevant flavours and grassroots branding could gain greater momentum with economic upswing.
This Report Looks at the Following Areas:
Market drivers for carbonated soft drinks, including the impact of Germany’s economy on the market, and regulatory drivers amid rising consumer health concerns.
Market sizing, forecast and segmentation of carbonated soft drinks, with brand loyalty stifling change and cola dominating flavours.
Usage of carbonated soft drinks, exploring continuous growth in diet formats.
Purchase drivers of carbonated soft drinks, with functional benefits presenting a promising value growth engine due to niche presence in the broader product launch landscape.
Attitudes and behaviours towards carbonated soft drinks, with a focus on processing concerns and social responsibility.
Trends in launch activity, and opportunities for further innovation
Collapse All
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
What you need to know
Outlook for carbonated soft drinks
Opportunities
Make indulgence more permissible
Elevate drinks with wellness-driven functionality
Ignite community pride
THE MARKET
Snapshot – market size and forecast
Consumers and the economic outlook
Graph 1: consumer price index of selected cold beverages, by type, 2021-25
A sugar tax sparks national conversation
Gut health is trending
Social connection matters as mental wellbeing pressures rise
Carbonated soft drinks appear immune to international tension
Market size and forecast
Volume sales take a dip
Graph 2: value market size for carbonated soft drinks, 2020-25
Value sales set to steadily climb
Graph 3: retail market value forecast for carbonated soft drinks, 2019-30
Ultra-processing concerns hit carbonated soft drinks
Functional CSDs enter the spotlight
Functionality makes processing permissible
Functionality claims need credibility
Graph 8: purchase drivers for carbonated soft drinks, by consumption of carbonated soft drinks, 2026
Encourage mindfulness to support German workers
Burst the bubble on gut health
CSDs in consumers’ lifestyles
TURF Analysis of purchase drivers
Price pressures challenge local brands
Tastes like home
CSDs are a lifestyle for younger consumers
Winning over younger consumers through shared values
Graph 9: launch activity of carbonated soft drinks with select ethical and environmental claims, 2023-25
PRODUCT, INNOVATION AND MARKETING
New product launch types enjoy strong growth
Graph 10: CSD launches, by launch type, 2023-25
Functional CSDs enter the spotlight
The fibre soda trend creates opportunities to differentiate sugar-reduced CSD
Functional innovation reshaping the CSD landscape
BFY minus claims show limited growth
Graph 11: CSD launches, by top five minus claims, 2022-25
More cans, fewer large pack sizes
Tap into local pride to connect with consumers
APPENDIX
Report scope/market definition
The market
Forecast methodology
Forecast methodology – fan chart
Market forecast and prediction intervals – value
Market forecast and prediction intervals – volume
Market size of carbonated soft drinks, by segment
Market share
The consumer
Consumer research questions
Consumer research methodology
TURF methodology
How to read: TURF analysis
Germany generational groups
Other data source methodologies
Mintel Spark
Abbreviations
A note on language – Germany
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