Sports and energy drinks ‘star performers’ in 2010

The consumption of soft drinks in the UK grew in 2010 by 4.1 per cent in volume to reach 14,585 million litres, according to new research, while the value increased by 5.8 per cent to £14 million (€15m).
This is the fastest annual rate of growth in the last seven years, as revealed by the 2011 UK Soft Drinks Report published by the British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA).
The report also reveals that bottled water consumption grew for the second successive year, to reach 2,055 million litres, while the consumption of carbonates increased by 4.9 per cent in volume, with a retail value of £8,000 million (€8.9m).
Dilutables volume grew by 4.5 per cent to 3,500 million litres; while the consumption of fruit juice and smoothies grew by 3.1 per cent.
However, sports and energy drinks remained the star performers, growing by 13.1 per cent and 12.8 per cent respectively.
“The soft drinks industry is successful because it listens to its consumers and meets their needs,” says Jill Ardagh, BSDA director general. “Even in tough economic conditions, our industry can thrive because it’s focused on meeting popular demand.”