Global Sports Drinks 2006

The global sports drinks market raced ahead by 10% in 2005 to 9,718 million litres, according to Zenith’s new report on this diverse market. Growth was driven by new brands, brand and flavour extensions and novel product concepts, as well as an increased focus on the role of exercise in health and wellbeing.

Sports drinks are designed to provide effective rehydration, boost sports performance and aid muscle recovery. They often include electrolytes, carbohydrate and, increasingly, protein in the form of amino acids and peptides.

The sports drink category now encompasses a whole spectrum of different products - from advanced specialist sports nutrition for body builders and serious athletes to lighter products for everyday consumers. The category is now broadening out, with innovation at all levels so as to suit all exercisers, no matter what their age, sex or level of activity.

North America accounted for hefty 49% of sports drink consumption in 2005, and looks set to hold onto its global market lead to 2010. Gatorade, the leading global sports drink brand and category pioneer, was launched here in the early 1970s, and remains the region’s leading brand.

Asia Pacific held a 38% share of global volume in 2005, with the vast majority of the region’s volumes generated in Japan and China. Japan is second only to the US in terms of per person sports drink consumption. Here, as in North America, sports drinks are well established as mainstream products, and Japan can be credited with many advances in new sports drink technology, especially in amino acid based sports drinks. China is set to overtake Japan as Asia Pacific’s leading market by volume by 2010.

Zenith International reports offer you the most reliable market figures and in-depth analysis of trends. This comes from a bottom up approach to the research process, and detailed discussions undertaken with industry players.

Zenith’s Global Sports Drinks 2006 report is meticulously researched and is divided into eight main sections - a global market overview and seven regions: North America, Latin America, West Europe, East Europe, Middle East, Asia Pacific, Australasia.