Soft Drinks Market: Low-Sugar & Zero-Calorie Beverages, Health Trends & Market Forecast

According to IMARC Group's latest research publication, the global soft drinks market size was valued at USD 629.2 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 886.2 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate of 3.84% during 2025-2033.

How AI is Reshaping the Future of Soft Drinks Market

• Flavor Innovation and Product DevelopmentMachine learning platforms analyze consumer preferences, social media trends, and sales data to predict winning flavor combinations.
• Personalized Consumer Engagement and MarketingAI-powered recommendation engines analyze purchasing behavior and demographic data to suggest products customers are likely to enjoy.
• Quality Control and Real-Time Defect DetectionComputer vision and sensor-based ML systems monitor production lines in real-time, identifying contamination, color inconsistencies, and foreign matter with exceptional accuracy.

Stay Ahead with Updated 2026 Market Intelligence

Soft Drinks Industry Overview

The global soft drinks industry is experiencing a fundamental transformation driven by health consciousness and innovation in product formulations. Major brands like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are launching prebiotic sodas to compete with functional beverage leaders Olipop and Poppi, which grew the digestive health soft drinks category from USD 197 million in 2020 to approximately USD 440 million.

Soft Drinks Market Trends & Drivers

The functional beverage revolution is transforming the soft drinks landscape as consumers prioritize gut health and wellness benefits beyond basic refreshment. Prebiotic sodas, immunity-boosting drinks, and energy-enhancing formulations have become the fastest-growing segment, with millennials and Gen Z leading the charge through social media influence.

Premiumization and artisanal products are capturing significant market share as consumers gravitate toward high-quality, craft beverages offering unique flavor experiences and superior ingredients. Small-batch producers and craft beverage makers differentiate themselves with distinctive taste profiles featuring natural ingredients, exotic flavors like elderflower and lychee, and sustainable production methods.

Digital transformation and e-commerce expansion are reshaping distribution channels and consumer engagement strategies across the soft drinks industry. Online platforms and mobile ordering experienced accelerated growth, with hypermarkets and supermarkets maintaining 41.2% market share while convenience stores and digital channels gain momentum through on-the-go lifestyles.

Leading Companies Operating in the Global Soft Drinks Industry

• Arizona Beverage Company
• Asahi Group Holdings Ltd.
• Keurig Dr Pepper Inc.
• National Beverage Corp.
• Nestlé S.A.
• PepsiCo Inc.
• Purity Soft Drinks Ltd.
• Red Bull GmbH
• Refresco Group BV
• The Coca-Cola Company

Soft Drinks Market Report Segmentation

By Product:

• Carbonated
• Non-Carbonated

Carbonated stands as the largest component, holding around 71.4% of the market. The carbonated category consists of beverages such as cola, lemon-lime soda, and root beer, with strong brand recognition from established players like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo.

By Distribution Channel:

• Hypermarkets and Supermarkets
• Convenience Store
• Online
• Others

Hypermarkets and supermarkets lead the market with around 41.2% of market share. These large retail stores offer a variety of beverages to consumers, providing wide product selection and promotional opportunities.

Regional Insights:

• North America (United States, Canada)
• Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, Others)
• Europe (Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia, Others)
• Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Others)
• Middle East and Africa

In 2024, North America accounted for the largest market share of over 35.5%. The United States accounts for 93.7% of the market share in North America, driven by increasing consumer demand for functional soft drinks and healthier alternatives.

Recent News and Developments in Soft Drinks Market

• February 2025:Coca-Cola launched Simply Pop, a prebiotic soda featuring six grams of fiber, no added sugar, and 25-30% real fruit juice, marking the beverage giant's entry into the fast-growing functional soda market to compete directly with brands like Olipop and Poppi.
• July 2025:PepsiCo introduced Pepsi Prebiotic Cola in traditional Cola and Cherry Vanilla flavors, containing three grams of prebiotic fiber, five grams of cane sugar, and thirty calories, positioning the 132-year-old brand in the better-for-you soda segment.
• September 2025: Red Bull broke ground on a USD 1.7 billion manufacturing and distribution facility in Concord, North Carolina. The 2.36 million-square-foot facility will produce three billion cans annually and create 700 jobs when operational in 2028.

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