Flavoured, functional water market grows by 16 per cent

Market for flavoured and functional waters grew rapidly than for plain water in 2022, states a recent report.

According to latest UK Water Drinks Market Reports from industry expert Zenith Global Commercial, total flavoured and functional water consumption rose 16 per cent to 530 million litres, 6 per cent above the pre-pandemic peak of 2018. Sales value rebounded 25 per cent to over £600m.

This takes the combined volume of all water drinks to 4,500 million litres, 14 per cent above 2021, and sales value to £3.5bn, up 19 per cent.

The report states that flavoured water is the biggest segment, with 87 per cent of volume and 68 per cent of value. Also, functional waters have increased their share to 7 per cent of volume and 18 per cent of value. Juicy waters take the remaining 6 per cent of volume and 14 per cent of value while still water drinks are responsible for over 70 per cent of volume, leaving sparkling under 30 per cent.

Market for flavoured and functional waters is expected to grow over the next 5 years, reaching 620 million litres by 2027.

“Flavoured and functional waters lost out to reduced sugar carbonated soft drinks in 2019,” reports quoted Zenith Global commercial director Akos Petri as saying.

“They were also set back by Covid, but their health credentials have led to renewed momentum. Functional waters have more than doubled their volume in the past 5 years as well as commanding a high price premium.”