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Brand Finance has released its top 100 most valuable food brand rankings for 2026, with Nestlé remaining on top, while Coca-Cola continues to top the 50 most valuable non-alcoholic drinks brands.

Yili also retained its position as the world’s most valuable dairy brand in the latest report from the brand valuation consultancy.

According to the new report, the world’s 100 most valuable food brands are collectively worth $278.3 billion in 2026, while the top 50 non-alcoholic drinks brands account for a combined $170.4 billion, and the top 10 dairy brands for $50.8 billion.

While food and beverage brands have relied on price increases to navigate the past two years’ inflationary pressures, Brand Finance noted that conditions are now easing, resulting in a shift in the basis of competition.

Nestlé remains the world’s most valuable food brand, with brand value up by 23% to $24.6 billion. Despite retaining its top spot among non-alcoholic drinks brands, however, Coca-Cola’s brand value was down by 1% to $46.1 billion.

The report states that Coca-Cola has been surpassed on ‘brand strength’ by Chinese bottled water and tea brand Nongfu Spring, which saw a brand value increase of 38%, up to $15.3 billion. It now leads brand strength rankings ahead of Coca-Cola, which topped last year’s list, across measures of consumer trust and familiarity.

Nongfu recorded a a Brand Strength Index score of 89.8/100, and a prestigious AAA+ brand strength rating. Similarly, in food, Sadia (brand value up 35% to $2.9 billion) and Amul (brand value up 22% to $5 billion) ranked as the sector’s strongest brands. They scored scored 93.5/100 and 93/100 respectively, alongside AAA+ brand strength ratings.

Chinese brands’ presence across F&B categories is rising, with Yili’s brand value up 29% to $14.5 billion in 2026. Mengniu is also strengthening its position against Western competitors, valued at $6 billion. Meanwhile, Eastroc’s brand value rose by 62% to $5 billion, placing it among the fastest-growing non-alocholic drinks brands in the ranking as it expands beyond energy drinks into electrolyte and functional beverages.

In non-alcoholic drinks, functional beverages now represent a combined $33.4 billion. Red Bull remains the category leader, with brand value up 27% to $12.3 billion in 2026, closely followed by Monster, up by 4% to $9.1 billion. Gatorade is next, achieving a 21% increase to $9 billion.

Ginger ale specialist Canada Dry recorded the fastest brand value growth in the ranking, increasing by a significant 116% to $1.1 billion and highlighting growth opportunities for brands beyond the traditional category leaders. Juice brand Innocent also led growth in within its sub-category, with brand value up by 60% to $1.6 billion.

Brand Finance pointed out the growing importance of better-for-you positioning for today’s brands, with successful players investing in product innovation, high-protein and functional formats as consumers become more discerning and health-conscious.

In coffee and tea, worth a combined $19.4 billion, Nescafé remains the most valuable brand, with brand value up 20% to $5.6 billion. Yorkshire Tea, meanwhile, led on brand strength with a score of 83.1/100. Its brand value was also up by 32% to $751 million.

Henry Farr, global sector head of food and drinks at Brand Finance, said this year’s winners are using “broad, flexible portfolios” to defend their market share against challenger brands, rather than relying on “historically strong positions” – though scale and heritage remain important advantages.

“Diversification will become even more important as trends such as GLP-1 weight-loss drugs begin to reshape consumer demand,” he added. “Brands that build flexibility into their portfolios now will be better placed as these shifts accelerate.”