Buy the full study
Summary of our market study
The French flavored water market is valued at €200 million.
The global market for flavored water is estimated at $30 billion, with North America holding the largest share.
Still waters dominate the market. Sparkling waters and the more specialized flavored water segment are growing steadily.
The French bottled water industry is highly concentrated, with major international players such as Danone Eaux France, Nestlé Waters France and the Cristaline brand.
These companies are innovating in response to the growing importance placed by consumers on ecological concerns, striving to mitigate the environmental impact of plastic bottles through better recycling and the design of alternative products such as refill stations.
Demand for flavored waters comes mainly from health-conscious consumers, who prefer natural, less sweet alternatives to traditional refreshments.
In France, between 15 and 20 million people consume bottled flavored water.
Infused flavors add nutrients to water without high levels of sugar, meeting the demand of more than half of all consumers.
France has gone from being a net exporter to a net importer of flavored water.
Players in the flavored water market
- Danone Eaux France is a long-standing leader in the sector, with notable brands such as Volvic.
- Nestlé Waters, another major player, has a vast portfolio of brands such as Perrier and San Pellegrino
- Neptune (part of the Alma group) has made a name for itself on the market with its Cristaline brand.
- Sources Alma market leader in France
- Sources du Pestrin focuses on enhanced waters that provide additional nutrients
- Eloa exploits the potential of organic and natural ingredients
- Air'Up and Waterdrop transform the way consumers think about flavored water.
to understand this market
Detailed content of our market study
Inforamtion
- Number of pages : ~ 40 pages
- Format : Digital and PDF versions
- Last update :
Summary and extracts
1 Market overview
1.1 Definition and scope of study
In France, flavored water consumption is a sub-segment of the water market, encompassing both still water (spring water, mineral water and water made drinkable by treatment) and carbonated water.and carbonated waters , which have a synthetic or natural flavour that may be derived from the infusion of a fruit or plant...
The global market is experiencing sustained growth, driven by growing consumer interest in health and naturalness, as well as by product innovations resulting from inter-company collaboration. Sales are expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.9% between 2023 and 2028.
European markets, such as France, are more mature and therefore experience slower growth, and have been hit by the pandemic.
like the global market, the French flavored water market is concentrated around historic leaders of international stature such as Danone Eaux France, Nestlé Waters France and Neptune (a subsidiary of the Alma group), whose Cristaline brand is the market leader, as well as a number of other brands the rise of flavored drinks to replace soft drinks has enabled these players to reinvent themselves.
However, these players face a major hurdle: theecological argument. Without recycling, bottled water has a considerable environmental footprint due to its plastic container. As a result, market players are faced with increasing competition from home-made products.
Numerous innovations are therefore being developed to reduce the carbon footprint of bottled water, and encourage its growth. Marketing efforts to promote the nutritional qualities of these products are increasingly important.
1.2 The global flavored water market
development of the global flavored water market World, ****-****, in billions of US$ Source: The Business Research Company The global market for flavored water is estimated at $**.** billion in ****, and is expected to reach $**.** billion in ****, with a compound annual growth rate of *.*% over the period. This growth will be driven ...
1.3 A French market struggling to recover from the crisis
The French bottled water market
The heatwave was a boon for bottled water, which saw little growth in the first quarter. The BRSA market was estimated at *.** billion euros in ****, up *.*% on the previous year. However, sales volumes were down *.*%. [***]
We can see that sales of still fruit drinks will amount ...
1.4 Foreign trade
French trade balance for flavored waters France, ****-****, in millions of dollars and as a % of sales Source : UN Comtrade Code:
France is a net exporter of flavored waters until ****; however, in ****, France becomes an importer, and the coverage rate has only fallen since that year to **.*%.
France's main customer countries France, ...
2 Demand analysis
2.1 Demand and its determinants
Flavored waters are at the crossroads of two major markets: soft drinks and bottled water. The outlets and determinants of demand are therefore similar.
The two main outlets for flavored water producers are :
the on-trade network supermarkets
The main drivers of flavored water consumption are as follows:
the importance given to ...
2.2 The French are increasingly sensitive to naturalness, innovation and ecology
Tworldwide trend: the search for healthy, natural foods
As an alternative to soft drinks, the French are turning to flavored waters to quench their thirst. Sparkling waters are the fastest-growing category in terms of volume, but they account for a smaller proportion of the total than flat flavored waters. This demand ...
2.3 Rising temperatures have a direct impact on flavored water sales
The historically warm month of May **** had a positive effect on temperature-sensitive categories such as flavored waters and syrups.
The extra * degrees compared to seasonal averages led to a **% rise in sales of so-called "weather-sensitive" products, while mass-market products fell by *.*%.
Among these products, two stand out: flavored waters and ...
2.4 The rise of flavored waters in the on-trade
Already well-established in supermarkets, they have potential in the on-trade, even if penetration of this channel takes longer."Flavored drinks can already be found in fast-food outlets, with our chain customers and on takeaways," stresses Camille Delettrez. Growth in volume is mainly driven by flavored sparkling waters, with the San Pellegrino ...
3 Market structure
3.1 Value chain
The bottled water value chain begins with underground water collection, or with surface water for water that has been treated. Spring and mineral waters are consumable as they are, and undergo little treatment (***). Disinfection is prohibited. Water that has been made drinkable by treatment, on the other hand, must be disinfected ...
3.2 Flavored water production is highly concentrated
The flavored water market is highly concentrated among bottled water players: Danone Eaux France (***)... Mass-market retailers are investing in this market by establishing partnerships with small-scale producers.
Looking at the bottled water market in general, we can see that it is fairly concentrated. Three groups hold more than three-quarters of the ...
3.3 Dispensing flavored water
Flavored bottled waters are distributed through three main channels:
supermarkets for consumption at home or on the move: the leading brands are those of the Casino group (***)
foodservice for consumption in bars and restaurants: within this distribution channel, mineral waters are predominant; in fact, spring waters such as Cristalline are only ...
4 Offer analysis
4.1 More and more different products at higher and higher prices
Typology of the flavored water offer
The flavored water offer can be segmented in different ways according to :
the water used: mineral or spring water the nature of the water: still or sparkling what is used for flavoring: fruit, plant and the resulting taste.
The diversity of products on offer is ...
4.2 An increasingly comprehensive offering
Standard flavored waters cost less than one euro per liter. For new products, the cost is between *.** and *.** euros per liter, with some reaching almost five euros, with the promise of optimized hydration. [***]
More functional waters
A new trend is emerging in the bottled water market: enhanced or functional waters, enriched ...
4.4 A rather short-lived "Instagram" effect
Flavored waters also appeal for their "Instagrammable" side, a side that has been particularly exploited by start-ups Air Up and Waterdrop. Buoyed by a communications strategy focused on social networks such as TikTok, YouTube and Instagram, the two companies are enjoying growing success in France, particularly among **- to **-year-olds. Between ...
5 Regulations
5.1 Current regulations
Quality criteria
Water is subject to specific regulations(***) which distinguishes, under this term, three types of water according to their origin, their stability and the treatments to which they have been subjected:
natural mineral water ; spring water ; water made potable by treatment.
Three types of bottled water:
Water made drinkable by ...
6 Positioning the players
6.1 Player segmentation
- Alma Sources (Groupe Alma - Neptune) Roxane Groupe
- Danone Groupe
- Nestlé Waters
- Cristaline
List of charts presented in this market study
- Sales volume growth rates for soft drinks and water
- Flavored water sales trend
- Sales of non-alcoholic soft drinks by product type
- Volvic, Perrier and Vittel water sales by product type
- Breakdown of sales by value of bottled water by type of producta
All our studies are available online in PDF format
Take a look at an example of our research on another market!
Latest news
At the bedside of the sick, Danone invests in protein drinks at Steenvoorde - 22/05/2024
- The adult medical nutrition market is estimated at several billion euros worldwide.
- - Danone is number one in Europe and number two worldwide in the medical nutrition sector.
- - Blédina's Steenvoorde plant will manufacture protein-enriched drinks under the Fortimel brand
- - The total investment for this project is 70 million euros
- - Danone currently operates seven plants worldwide in the medical nutrition sector, including five in Europe.
- - Sales of Danone's specialized nutrition division are expected to reach 8.5 billion in 2023
- - Danone has invested in Turkey and Poland to increase its production capacity in medical nutrition, and has acquired Functional Formularies in the United States.
Danone bets more than ever on medical nutrition - 21/05/2024
- Investment of 70 million euros in a new production line dedicated to medical nutrition at the Blédina plant in Steenvorde.
- Danone's specialized nutrition division, including medical nutrition, generated sales of 8.3 billion euros in 2023.
- Growth of 6.7% for this division in 2023.
- Acquisition of Promedica in Poland, specialized in home enteral tube feeding.
- Acquisition of US-based Functional Formularies, with sales of around 27 million euros, specializing in biological tube-feeding formulas.
- Investment of 100 million euros in a new international R&D center in Saclay, to be inaugurated in February 2023.
Danone opens a second plant for plant-based products in France - 12/02/2024
- Danone inaugurates a new plant dedicated to the manufacture of dairy alternatives in France
- Danone has completely converted its Villecomtal-sur-Arros yogurt plant in the Gers department into a unit dedicated to Alpro-brand plant-based beverages. 43 million euros of investment
- Production, mainly of oat juice cartons, is 90% destined for Europe.
- Danone now has four milk-alternative production units in Europe. Two in France, at Issenheim and Villecomtal in the Gers region, one in Sweden, at Lunnarp, and the fourth at Wevelgem in Belgium.
- Vegetable-based products have become "a strategic focus" for the world's number one in ultra-fresh products.
- Danone took the t turn in 2017 with the $12.5 billion acquisition of US group WhiteWave.
- In France, ultra-fresh products are deeply rooted in diets.
- Plant milk accounts for just 4% of the traditional dairy products market by volume and 7.4% by value.
- The plant-based milk market is worth 165 million euros, according to FranceAgriMer.
- More than 6 out of ten people in France in the 18-24 age bracket eat plant-based products several times a week, according to lDanone
- Many dairy groups, including Triballat, Nestlé and Bel, have chosen to develop plant-based ranges.
- Retail chains are present under their own brands (MDD).
Nestlé admits using prohibited methods for its mineral waters - 29/01/2024
- Nestlé Waters is the world's number one mineral water company.
- In 2021, the company informed the French authorities of its use of banned treatments such as ultraviolet and activated carbon filters on some of its mineral waters.
- The brands concerned are Perrier, Vittel, Hépar and Contrex, all owned by Nestlé.
Danone finds buyers for its two organic brands in the United States - 02/01/2024
- Platinum Equity's portfolio of assets totals $47 billion.
- The two brands Horizon Organic and Wallaby accounted for around 3% of Danone's sales in 2022, or $800 million.
- Dairy products make up a large part of Danone's sales.
- Danone has sold various parts of its business in different countries, including yoghurts in China and fresh dairy products in Brazil.
- Danone recorded eight quarters of growth thanks to price increases, although volumes remained stable.
- Danone succeeded in halting a steady decline in dairy sales that had lasted since 2015.
Danone sells its US organic dairy business to Platinum Equity - 02/01/2024
- Danone has signed an agreement to sell its US organic dairy business to Platinum Equity.
- The sale concerns the Horizon Organic and Wallaby businesses.
- By 2022, Horizon Organic and Wallaby represented around 3% of Danone's total sales.
Companies quoted in this study
This study contains a complete overview of the companies in the market, with the latest figures and news for each company. :
Choosing this study means :
Access to more than 35 hours of work
Our studies are the result of over 35 hours of research and analysis. Using our studies allows you to devote more time and added value to your projects.
Benefit from 6 years' experience and over 1,500 industry reports already produced
Our expertise enables us to produce comprehensive studies in all sectors, including niche and emerging markets.
Our know-how and methodology enable us to produce reports that offer unique value for money.
Access to several thousand articles and paid-for data
Businesscoot has access to all the paid economic press as well as exclusive databases to carry out its market research (over 30,000 articles and private sources).
To enhance our research, our analysts also use web indicators (semrush, trends, etc.) to identify market trends and company strategies. (Consult our paying sources)
Guaranteed support after your purchase
A team dedicated to after-sales service, to guarantee you a high level of satisfaction. +44 238 097 0676
A digital format designed for our users
Not only do you have access to a PDF, but also to a digital version designed for our customers. This version gives you access to sources, data in Excel format and graphics. The content of the study can therefore be easily retrieved and adapted for your specific needs.
Our offers :
The Flavoured Water Market | France | France
- What are the figures on the size and growth of the market?
- What is driving the growth of the market and its evolution?
- What is the positioning of companies in the value chain?
- Data from several dozen databases
Pack 5 études (-15%) France
- 5 études au prix de 75,6€HT par étude à choisir parmi nos 800 titres sur le catalogue France pendant 12 mois
- Conservez -15% sur les études supplémentaires achetées
- Choisissez le remboursement des crédits non consommés au terme des 12 mois (durée du pack)
Consultez les conditions du pack et de remboursement des crédits non consommés.
Our customer references
They have consulted our studies
Discover the opinions (+500)
Malcolm Vincent
Astoria Finance
Gregoire de Castelnau
Stags Participations
Timothé Huignard
PWC
Paul-Alexis Kebabtchieff
BCG
Aymeric Granet
Publicis Consultant
interviews & case studies
All interviews and case studies (45)
