2026
8
Germany Carbonated Soft Drinks Market Report 2026
2026-03-20T14:01:29+00:00
REPCD01FE34_4281_446E_81FE_344281946E78
2195
192121
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Report
en_GB
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."

Jack Friedlein, Analyst - Food & Drink

German Soft Drinks Market – Trends and Insights

  • 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
  1. 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
  2. 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
    • Volume sales remain resilient
    • Graph 4: retail market volume forecast for carbonated soft drinks, 2019-30
    • Cola maintains its pop
    • Graph 5: value retail sales of carbonated soft drinks, by segment, 2024-25
    • Pepsi gains in a stagnant market
    • Graph 6: company value shares of carbonated soft drinks, 2024-25
  3. THE CONSUMER

    • Health concerns and sugar moderation reshape usage
    • Diet maintains growth trajectory
    • Sugar moderation cuts into sales
    • Bring sophisticated selections to older Germans
    • A refreshing take on CSDs
    • Expand natural sweetener selection
    • Graph 7: share of carbonated soft drink launches containing cane sugar, 2016-25
    • Artificial sweeteners spark concern
    • 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
  4. 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
  5. 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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