Despite continuing economic pressures, the flavoured segment grew by 7.1% in 2012, while sales of functional waters increased by 7.9%.
The greatest advances have come from the emerging markets of Asia Pacific and Latin America, with growth rates of 26% and 12% respectively. For the first time since 2008, the North American market returned to volume growth.
Amonge other findings of the 2013 Zenith report:
“With greater global awareness of the need for healthier diets and consumer choices, companies are increasingly presenting flavoured and functional waters as a welcome middle ground between soft drinks and water – offering products with less calories than some carbonated beverages and which may add extra interest to plain bottled water,” said Zenith International chairman Richard Hall.
Zenith forecasts accelerating global growth in the flavoured and functional water segments, taking the global market value to US$29bn in 2017.
“All regions are expected to return to growth in 2013,” said Hall.
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