RTD Tea & Coffee Market Outlook, 2028

Ready-made tea and coffee are increasingly popular as alternatives to fizzy beverages due to our fast-paced lifestyle. The demand for pre-made tea and coffee is raising as consumer knowledge of the health risks of fizzy beverages rises. In general, coffee is a significant dietary source of antioxidants and offers a number of health advantages, including a decreased risk of certain diseases and enhanced cognitive function. Additionally, customers are particularly interested in functions like antioxidants, supporting brain health, anti-inflammatory, and probiotic additions in ready-to-drink tea and other beverages. Due to the pandemic's favourable effects on the entire food and beverage business during COVID-19, demand for ready-to-drink tea and coffee rose dramatically. The consumption of green tea has also increased dramatically as a result of people's growing awareness of the need to lead healthy lives during the pandemic. Registered nutritionists and dietitians, the fitness community, the specialty tea community, and the medical community all promote its usage as being ‘good for you'. Tea and coffee that are ready to drink are becoming more popular as a result of growing consumer awareness of the health risks linked with the usage of carbonated beverages. A surge in the prevalence of various chronic health diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, has been linked to the rapid socioeconomic development that has occurred over the last two decades. RTD tea and coffee use has health benefits that are luring older demographics to the market. Numerous products are being introduced to the market to satisfy the large and geographically diverse client base. For example, The Coca-Cola Company and Costa Coffee introduced Costa Coffee Ready-to-Drink (RTD) in June 2019, a chilled, canned coffee prepared with Costa beans. To make more useful and adaptable products, a number of nutraceutical components are also being used. Some large firms use the customization of health-beneficial products for women and children as a market entry strategy. Promise Beverages, a brand-new premium socially responsible beverage company, debuted a line of handcrafted, small-batch cold brew tea in May 2020. These teas are prepared with premium, organic ingredients.

According to the research report, Global RTD Tea & Coffee Market Outlook, 2028, the market is anticipated to cross USD 145.61 Billion, increasing from USD 103.96 Billion in 2022. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.86% by 2023-2028. People are constrained by growing urbanisation and rigorous job schedules that include long, exhausting hours. As a result, increased employment rates and busy schedules have increased demand for RTD beverages because of their convenience. Additionally, one of the main factors influencing workers' preferences for such beverage goods as the ideal ready to drink in the middle of a demanding workday is the industrialization along with the growth of the vending machine industry. Additionally, RTD beverages are quickly replacing synthetic sports drinks as a preferred source of instant energy among young people in both developed and developing nations. Additionally, the switch by consumers from carbonated beverages to a combination of RTD products to satisfy the desire for instant energy has further fuelled the expansion of the global market for ready to drink tea and coffee. Furthermore, the market is anticipated to benefit greatly from the commercial expansion tactics employed by key industry players. For instance, in March 2022, the 24Seven Convenience Stores teamed with HY BTS Coffee, a premium ready-to-drink coffee beverage brand in South Korea, for its product placement in the stores. A prestigious organised retail chain is 24Seven. Furthermore, it is anticipated that rising per capita income in developing nations like China, India, and Indonesia, among others, will present opportunities for the market to expand. On the other hand, the market is expected to increase as a result of the leading industry players' creative business expansion methods. For instance, in March 2022, Procter & Gamble, one of the major competitors in the market, spent $110 million to expand the production facility for its consumer goods in Greensboro, North Carolina.

The global market is categorized into five major regions including North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America and Middle East & Africa. Among them, the Asia-Pacific region is dominating the market with prominent market share in 2022. Due to rising health consciousness among people, increased demand for ready-to-drink products, and the expanding retail food chain industry in the region, particularly in countries like India, China, and Japan. The abundance of coffee and tea plantations and the rising output of tea in many Asia Pacific nations are important factors boosting the expansion of the ready-to-drink tea and coffee industry. The expansion of government initiatives for tea and coffee is boosting the market for ready-to-drink tea and coffee in the upcoming years. Consumers in the region are becoming increasingly health-conscious and choosing healthy beverages over soft drinks, which is supplementing the market growth. However, the market for ready-to-drink tea in North America is established, homogeneous, and has a high penetration rate. Coco Cola Company, Nestle, and Unilever are the market leaders in this sector. Additionally, the market for ready-to-drink tea is anticipated to rise as customer preferences shift towards healthy alternatives to caffeinated beverages and towards tea and coffee. Companies are acquiring large and regional players to diversify their RTD tea product offerings in the area in order to meet rising consumer demand. In order to raise their market share, enhance profitability, and maintain market competition, players in the ready-to-drink tea market have adopted business expansion and product introduction as their core development strategies.

Based on the product type, the RTD tea segment led the market and accounted for more than 55% share of the global revenue in 2022. Some of the commonly consumed RTD tea variants are black, green, fruit, herbal and others. Owing to the increasing working population and hectic schedules of professionals, product demand has escalated significantly. The growing preference for carbonated RTD tea among consumers is driving the segment growth. Further, a consistent decline in global soda consumption is creating an ideal opportunity for the product manufacturers of RTD tea and coffee to gain shares in the global arena. On the other hand, the RTD coffee segment is anticipated to expand at the fastest CAGR of over 6% from 2023 to 2028. Few of the commonly found RTD coffee variants in the market are yerba mate, guarana, acai berry, ginseng, taurine, and iced. These are manufactured using various ingredients such as extracts, additives, preservatives, natural and artificial sweeteners, flavours, acidulants, and nutraceuticals. Coffee is a well-accepted beverage and is considered a healthy replacement for carbonated soft drinks; hence, the demand for the product is likely to grow exponentially. RTD coffee is an excellent source of instant energy and antioxidants; thus, it is accepted by youngsters as well as middle-aged working professionals. RTD coffee is available as a coffee extract or brewed coffee and can be consumed cold or hot. Manufacturers are not only striving to improve their sales and distribution networks but also focusing on innovative products with different flavours as a key strategy to expand their business. For instance, in July 2020, Omni Bev, the world's first ready-to-drink authentic Vietnamese Cold Brew Coffee, launched Vietnamese Coconut Matcha Cold Brew Coffee in the U.S.

The global market is categorized into various packaging types including pet bottle, canned, glass bottle, fountain/aseptic and others. The PET bottles segment led the market and accounted for major share in 2022. The ease of handling coupled with low manufacturing cost is boosting the demand for this type of packaging. In addition, as PET bottles can be moulded in different sizes and shapes, as well as produced in multiple colors, a large number of manufacturers are adopting this packaging type. Manufacturers are using attractive packaging solutions to grab consumer attention. They offer greater breakage resistance and consume lesser energy and time during manufacturing than glass bottles. The demand for PET bottles for packaging RTD tea and coffee is rising due to their recyclability and reusability. PET bottles are easily recycled from many types of secondary products, including pillow stuffing, carpet fibers, tote bags, and strapping materials. The lightweight of plastic bottles reduces the cost of transporting materials to recycling centers. On the other hand, canned packaging was the second-largest segment in 2022. The growth of the segment is attributed to its benefits such as flavour preservation and enhanced product shelf-life. Manufacturers opt for canned packaging since it accentuates the brand image in the minds of consumers. In February 2020, Rise Brewing Co. expanded its portfolio with the launch of London Fog, the company’s first-ever canned Nitro Earl Grey Tea Oat Milk Latte. Unexpected rains and an increase in the price of agricultural inputs have raised the price of raw materials, which has raised the price of the finished good. One of the main obstacles to the market's expansion is the RTD tea and coffee's greater price compared to regular hot tea and ground coffee. Additionally, common practises of making hot tea and coffee can limit market growth. Widely dispersed distribution networks of key businesses across multiple regions, which enable them to offer items to a huge number of consumers, are the essential and important winning requirement of the market.

The introduction of new flavours in these product categories is projected to give a tremendous boost to the overall market growth. For instance, Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., an agricultural cooperative, launched Ocean Spray Brew in January 2020. The drink contains real fruit juice and cold brew coffee and is available in two flavors: Cranberry Lemonade and Cranberry Blueberry. Millennials are amongst the largest consumers of ready-to-drink beverages and are highly influenced by social media personalities. Hence, several companies are roping in influencers in the branding of their products, which is positively impacting the growth of the market. The market is consolidated in nature with the presence of a large number of international players and a few regional players. The increasing attraction of youngsters towards ready-to-drink tea and coffee, and rising health awareness among individuals are the important factors driving the growth of ready to drink tea coffee market during the forecast period. Manufacturers in the tea coffee market are discovering various methods to make drinks more functional and effective which is expected to boost the demand of ready to drink tea coffee market in upcoming years. The smart marketing strategies, intelligent positioning, and rise in the per capita income in the ready-to-drink tea coffee market in the developing economies are predicted to drive the growth of the market in the upcoming years.

Major players in the RTD Tea market, including Suntory Holdings Limited, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, Unilever, Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd., PepsiCo, Starbucks Coffee Company, Monster Energy Company, Danone, AriZona Beverages USA, Snapple Beverage Corp, and others, are attempting to increase market demand by investing in research and development operations. The Coca-Cola Company is a complete beverage company, providing over 500 brands in more than 200 countries. The Coca-Cola brand's portfolio consists of the world's most valuable beverage brands like AdeS soy-based beverages, Ayataka green tea, Dasani waters, Del Valle juices and nectars, Fanta, Georgia coffee, Gold Peak teas and coffees, Honest tea, innocent smoothies and juices, Minute Maid juices, Smartwater, Sprite, vitaminwater, and ZICO coconut water. Coca-Cola is transforming its portfolio by reducing sugar in its drinks with new inventions. In November 2022, Coca-Cola European Partners plc invested USD 21.5 million in a new bottling line at its production facility in Socx, France. This expansion of the new line will support the development of the Coca-Cola company's Fuze Tea brand in glass bottle format, along with the production at the plant destined to provide markets in neighboring European countries. Snapple Beverage Corp has spent a large amount of money on research and development to get the upper edge over its competitors, thus helping the company by increasing its sales revenue. The increasing demand for healthy drinks coupled with growing personal disposable income in the region. Snapple is a brand of tea and juice drinks owned by Keurig Dr. Pepper and based in Plano, Texas, US. The company is known to provide Unadulterated Food products which were founded in 1972.

The global Ready-to-Drink (RTD) tea and coffee market can be broadly categorized into two segments including on-trade and off-trade. The on-trade segment refers to the consumption of RTD tea and coffee within various foodservice establishments such as cafes, restaurants, hotels, and bars. Conversely, the off-trade segment comprises the retail distribution and consumption of RTD tea and coffee through channels like supermarkets, convenience stores, online platforms, and specialty beverage retailers. The on-trade sector of the RTD tea and coffee market benefits from the convenience and variety it offers to consumers while dining out or socializing. This segment often emphasizes premium offerings, with an emphasis on unique flavours, artisanal blends, and specialty brewing techniques. The on-trade market also provides opportunities for establishments to create personalized and customized beverage experiences, catering to specific customer preferences and enhancing the overall dining or social experience. On the other hand, the off-trade sector plays a significant role in the global RTD tea and coffee market, accounting for a substantial share of sales and consumer reach. The off-trade market allows consumers to conveniently purchase RTD tea and coffee products for consumption at home, at work, or on-the-go. This segment includes a wide range of brands, flavours, and packaging formats to suit different consumer preferences and occasions. The off-trade market often emphasizes factors such as affordability, accessibility, and convenience, catering to the needs of busy consumers seeking a quick and refreshing beverage option. While the on-trade sector benefits from providing unique and immersive experiences, the off-trade sector caters to the wider consumer base and offers convenience and variety in everyday beverage choices. With continuous product innovation, strategic partnerships, and effective marketing strategies, companies operating in both segments can tap into the immense potential of the RTD tea and coffee market and meet the diverse demands of consumers worldwide.

Recent Developments

• In September 2022, Just Ice Tea was launched by Honest Tea, a ready-to-drink organic iced tea brand that emphasizes sourcing simple ingredients and Fair Trade Certified teas and sweeteners. This new line is present in various flavours such as Berry Hibiscus Herbal Tea, Honey Green Tea, Moroccan Mint Tea, and a few others.
• In May 2022, the new Lipton Immune Support ready-to-drink tea beverage was launched by Lipton. It is an RTD iced tea blend of green tea, Vitamin C, and Zinc, and it is available at national retailers in Green Tea Pineapple Mango flavor.
• In September 2021, Arizona developed Saint James Tea RTD green tea with three flavors: Pineapple & Mango, Passionfruit & Peach, and Blueberry & Raspberry alongside Original Green Tea, Initially launched in Florida.
• In January 2022, Monster Beverage Company acquired Canarchy Craft Brewery Collective LLC, a craft beer & hard seltzer company for $330 million & entered into the alcoholic beverage sector. The acquisition includes the Cigar City, Oskar Blues, Deep Ellum, Perrin Brewing, Squatters & Wasatch brands.
• In January 2022, Starbucks expanded into India and enter six new markets in smaller cities, which are Siliguri, Nashik, Guwahati, Thiruvananthapuram, Goa & Bhubaneswar. With this expansion, the company operates 252 Starbucks stores in 26 cities. It has opened 51 new outlets in the past 12 months
• In June 2020, Anheuser-Busch InBev announced that it has completed its previously announced sale of Carlton & United Breweries (CUB), its Australian subsidiary, to Asahi Group Holdings Ltd. for $11 million. CUB beer brands include Victoria Bitter, Carlton Draught, Fat Yak, Crown Lager, Froster’s & Balter.

Companies Mentioned In the Report

Nestlé S.A, The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo, Inc, Starbucks Corporation, Kirin Holdings Company, Limited, Danone S.A., Ito En, Ltd., Suntory Holdings Limited, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Ajegroup, Arizona Beverage Company, Ltd, Sapporo Holdings Ltd , Juan Valdez Café, Tata Consumer Products Limited, Ekaterra, Almarai Company, RISE Brewing Co., Illycaffè S.p.A., Uni-President Enterprises Corporation, Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd

Considered in this report

• Geography: Global
• Historic year: 2017
• Base year: 2022
• Estimated year: 2023
• Forecast year: 2028

Aspects covered in this report

• Global RTD Tea & Coffee market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Region & Country-wise RTD Tea & Coffee market analysis
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

Regions & Countries covered in the report:

• North America (United States, Canada, Mexico)
• Europe (Germany, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, Russia)
• Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea)
• South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia)
• Middle-East & Africa (UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa)

By Type

• Ready to Drink Tea
• Ready to Drink Coffee

By Packaging

• Pet Bottle
• Canned
• Glass Bottle
• Fountain/Aseptic
• Others (Pouches, Cartoons and Cups)

By Price

• Regular ($0.50 to $2 per unit)
• Popular Priced ($2 TO $4)
• Premium ($4 to $8)
• Super Premium (above $8)
• Fountain

By Distribution Channel

• Off-trade
• On-trade (Food Service and Vending)

The approach of the report:

This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analyzing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience

This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to ready to Drink Tea & Coffee industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.