South Africa: Soft Drink Market 2024

Soft Drink Market Size in South Africa

The South African soft drink market stood at $X in 2021, picking up by 4.6% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Soft drink consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Soft Drink Production in South Africa

In value terms, soft drink production expanded notably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the production volume increased by 29%. Soft drink production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Soft Drink Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2021, overseas shipments of soft drinks were finally on the rise to reach X litres for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, exports saw a strong expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 98%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X litres in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, soft drink exports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -0.9% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 37% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Botswana (X litres), Namibia (X litres) and Swaziland (X litres) were the main destinations of soft drink exports from South Africa, together comprising 62% of total exports. These countries were followed by Lesotho, Mozambique, the United States and Zimbabwe, which together accounted for a further 25%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in the United States (with a CAGR of +73.0%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for soft drink exported from South Africa were Botswana ($X), Namibia ($X) and Mozambique ($X), together comprising 48% of total exports. Swaziland, Lesotho, the United States and Zimbabwe lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 28%.

The United States, with a CAGR of +78.5%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average soft drink export price stood at $X per litre in 2021, picking up by 3.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a perceptible descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the average export price increased by 20%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum at $X per litre in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per litre), while the average price for exports to Botswana ($X per litre) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Zimbabwe (+4.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Soft Drink Imports

Imports into South Africa

Soft drink imports into South Africa was estimated at X litres in 2021, with an increase of 11% on 2020 figures. In general, total imports indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +39.2% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 37% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, soft drink imports soared to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 20% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

Austria (X litres), the United Arab Emirates (X litres) and the UK (X litres) were the main suppliers of soft drink imports to South Africa, with a combined 67% share of total imports. Swaziland, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Taiwan (Chinese), Belgium and the United States lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 20%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (with a CAGR of +52.3%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Austria ($X) constituted the largest supplier of soft drink to South Africa, comprising 43% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United Arab Emirates ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by the UK, with a 7.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Austria totaled +3.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United Arab Emirates (+21.9% per year) and the UK (+15.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average soft drink import price stood at $X per litre in 2021, picking up by 6.1% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a noticeable decrease. The import price peaked at $X per litre in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per litre), while the price for Swaziland ($X per litre) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (+13.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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