Mintel’s Germany soft drinks market analysis shows that treat-worthiness, price, and sustainability are key features for both private labels and branded carbonated soft drinks to retain and win German consumers in the soft drinks market sector.
Germany Soft Drinks Market Analysis – Current Landscape
80% of Germans drink carbonated soft drinks as the category continues to prove its popularity. Especially, young German men are leading consumption in this market sector, compared to female consumers.
Diet and light carbonated soft drinks consumption is increasing among consumers aged 16 to 54. The addition of functional benefits to the carbonated soft drinks market, for example relaxing/energising or hydrating functionalities, will boost the health image of carbonated soft drinks, with hydration being especially attractive to Baby Boomers.
Alcohol moderation, practised by 57% of 18 to 24-year-olds, will support carbonated soft drinks market growth. Catering to moderators, manufacturers can explore soft drinks that copycat ‘sessionable’ alcoholic beverages, balancing health with indulgence. Especially, viable alternatives that are less sweet will appeal as alternatives to alcohol.
Carbonated Soft Drinks Market Report – What’s Inside?
This report looks at the following areas
- Germany soft drinks market analysis, including and overview of the current market performance and a five-year outlook.
- A summary of key new product development trends in the category and opportunities for product launches harmonising health with treat-worthiness and sustainability.
- Consumer usage trends and reasons for drinking carbonated soft drinks.
- Attitudes and behaviours related to soft drinks, including consumer interest in healthier options.
- Innovations centred around moderation and balance, indulgence and sustainability.
- Market drivers, size and segmentation, forecast and brand shares.
Market Definitions
This report covers colas, lemon/lemon & lime, orange and other flavoured carbonated soft drinks including carbonated mixers such as sodas, tonics, and seltzers.
Carbonated fruit juices and waters, including products made from concentrates or syrups at point of sale are excluded from this report.
Meet the Expert Behind the Analysis
Our Germany soft drinks market analysis shows that sugar and alcohol moderation provide market opportunities for sophisticated, better-for-you (less sweet) products.
Khalid Peerbaccus, Senior Analyst – Food & Drink
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- What you need to know
- Opportunities
- Market size & forecast for CSDs
- Value sales to see persistent price increases, steadying from 2025 onwards
- Volume sales will see a slight increase as Germans seek out BFY options
- The five year outlook for carbonated soft drinks
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OPPORTUNITIES
- Appeal to those seeking moderation and balance
- Drive the health agenda by making both sugary and diet/light offerings BFY
- Harmonise health with indulgence
- Harness the alcohol moderation movement by innovating in sophisticated and less sweet propositions
- Concept design: low & less sweet ‘Elderberry Bliss Sparkling Tonic’
- Tap into nostalgic appeal and create new taste adventures
- CSDs have a loyal consumer base with established preferences
- Most adults, especially Gen Z/Millennials, have fond recollections of childhood flavours
- Tap into nostalgia to offer comfort in uncertain times
- Form an emotional connection with retro limited edition launches
- Create new taste adventures with disruptive flavours
- Future proof with sustainable hydration
- CSDs with hydration benefits are beneficial for almost six in 10 Baby Boomers
- Prepare consumers for more extreme temperatures
- Make use of organic and regenerative production to support sustainable hydration
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CONSUMER
- Consumption of carbonated soft drinks
- CSDs continue to prove popular among Germans, particularly men
- Graph 1: consumption of CSDs in the last three months, 2020-24
- Diet/light CSDs are becoming more widely drunk
- Sugary CSDs hold onto consumers as they age
- Graph 2: consumption of sugary CSDs in the last three months, by age, 2020 and 2024
- Diet/light CSDs continue to attract new consumers
- Graph 3: consumption of diet/light CSDs in the last three months, by age, 2020 and 2024
- Frequency of consuming sugary CSDs catches up to diet/light versions
- Graph 4: frequency of drinking non-diet (sugary) CSDs in the last three months, 2020 and 2024
- Graph 5: frequency of drinking diet/light CSDs in the last three months, 2020 and 2024
- Return to offices drives growth of out-of-home CSD consumption
- Graph 6: consumption of diet/light CSDs, by location, 2020 and 2024
- Graph 7: consumption of non-diet (sugary) CSDs, by location, 2020 and 2024
- Branded CSDs remain more widely purchased than own-label
- Graph 8: types of carbonated soft drinks bought in the last three months, 2024
- Reasons for drinking carbonated soft drinks
- Hydration and treat-worthy are CSDs’ core appeal
- Graph 9: reasons for drinking carbonated soft drinks, 2024
- Gen Zs/Younger Millennials are most attracted to BFY CSDs
- Graph 10: agreement that CSDs with health benefits are a more acceptable treat than those without, by generation, 2024
- Younger generations are attracted to flavour newness
- Graph 11: consumption of CSDs to try a new flavour, by generation, 2024
- Go beyond taste to engage younger drinkers
- Ensure new flavours are ‘treat-worthy’
- Alcohol avoiders seek less sweet alternatives to traditional soft drinks
- CSDs that are less sweet are more appealing as an alternative to alcohol than regular versions
- Appeal to Gen Z/Millennials with flavour surprise
- Graph 12: agreement that CSDs with less common fruit flavours or a mystery flavour would be appealing, by generation, 2024
- Attitudes & behaviours
- Sugar and caffeine-free solutions help to drive the health agenda
- Graph 13: health-related behaviours towards CSDs, 2024
- Refresh consumers with caffeine-free and natural energising offerings ‘without the jitters’
- Dental hygiene worries aren’t a major barrier to sugary CSD intake
- Graph 14: consumers who have reduced their CSD intake* in the last three months because of concerns about sugar intake and/or dental health, by type drunk, 2024
- Relaxing ingredients would appeal to health-conscious Gen Zs and Millennials
- Graph 15: agreement that CSDs with relaxing ingredients would be appealing, by generation, 2024
- Beyond the German market brands are using ingredients associated with relaxation
- Brand collaborations and globally inspired CSDs are appealing
- Graph 16: interest in select CSD innovations, 2024
- ‘Oreo and Coca-Cola just became besties’
- Pepsi delivering on demand for visually appealing CSDs with its eye-catching, electric blue
- Social media has a strong role in attracting younger CSD drinkers
- Case study: influencer Davina Geiss targets the Gen Z female consumer
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INNOVATION
- CSDs increase their share of non-alcoholic drinks innovation
- Graph 17: non-alcoholic beverage launches, by sub-category, 2020-24
- Coca-Cola takes the lead for CSD launches
- Graph 18: CSDs launches, by top ten companies, 2021-24
- New packaging takes a steadily increasing share of launches
- Graph 19: CSD launches, by type, 2014-24
- Private-label CSDs see growth in new varieties/range extensions
- Graph 20: branded CSD launches, by type, 2021-24
- Graph 21: private label CSD launches, by type, 2021-24
- Innovation v. renovation: why the CSD category seems to favour the latter
- Brands continue to focus on low-calorie and sugar-free innovation, with a re-spotlighting for sugar-free in 2024
- Graph 22: CSDs launches by leading ‘minus’ claims, 2021-24
- Average sugar content declines in line with the BMEL initiative
- Graph 23: average sugar content of regular vs no/low/reduced sugar CSD launches, 2014-24
- White sugar usage falls as NSS increases in CDSs
- Graph 24: carbonated soft drink launches by top 10 sweeteners used, 2020-24
- The alcohol moderation trend drives ‘adult’ sophistication in RTDs, tonics and mixers
- CSD brands ‘copycat’ the look & feel of multipack alcopops/beers
- Nearly two thirds of diet/light CSD drinkers would be willing to pay more for healthier CSDs
- Graph 25: consumers who would be willing to pay more for healthier versions of CSDs, by type drunk, 2024
- BFY innovations continue to evolve
- Less sweet flavours have high momentum in launch activity
- Globally inspired creamy tastes and texture offer newness with nostalgia
- Brands commit to sustainability
- Graph 26: CSD launches by leading eco-ethical claims, 2020-24
- Organic claims see a setback, despite the health halo
- Voelkel advocates biodiversity through production
- Sustainability claims feature in both major retailer and independent CSD portfolios
- Brands look to save more ingredients from landfill
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MARKET
- Market drivers
- Consumers remain concerned about their finances amid food and drink price increases
- Graph 27: financial confidence over the next year or so, 2025
- Graph 28: top five household and lifestyle issues faced in the last two months, 2025
- Hotter, sunnier summers will increase demand for cooling and hydrating CSDs
- Climate change affects the cost of fruits, including apples grown in Germany
- Industry commits to reduce sugar and calories in CSDs
- The alcohol moderation trend continues to ‘open doors’ for CSDs
- Graph 29: alcohol reduction in the past 12 months, by age group, 2023 vs 2024
- Market size & segmentation
- Consistent volume sales despite price increases
- Graph 30: retail value sales of carbonated soft drinks, 2020-24
- Graph 31: retail volume sales of carbonated soft drinks, 2020-24
- Unwavering consumption of CSDs to drive value growth
- Retail value sales of carbonated soft drinks, by segment, 2022-24
- Retail volume sales of carbonated soft drinks, by segment, 2022-24
- Market forecast
- Value sales will continue to increase as price of raw materials rise
- Volume sales will see a slight increase as Germans continue seek out BFY options but amidst an energising-CSD market saturation
- Volume sales expected to remain stable, value sales will remain high due to rising costs
- Market share
- Coca-Cola retains its lead but own-label makes gains
- Coca-Cola is the dominant force in CSD sales
- Private label makes the greatest volume share gain
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APPENDIX
- Report scope and definitions
- Market definition
- Abbreviations
- Methodology – consumer research
- Consumer research methodology
- A note on language
- Methodology – market size and forecast
- Forecast methodology
- Forecast methodology – fan chart
- Market size – value
- Market size – volume
- Market forecast and prediction intervals – value
- Market forecast and prediction intervals – volume
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