The UK soft drinks market experienced a bumper 2025, reaching a record value of £26.3 billion, according to the British Soft Drinks Association (BSDA) Annual Industry Insights Report.
With health-focused and functional drinks enjoying a sustained boom period, the report reveals that manufacturers are continuing to invest in innovation and better-for-you choices despite a challenging economic and policy environment.
Total soft drinks volumes increased by 2.2%, while average consumption rose to 232 litres per person.
“The UK soft drinks industry continues to demonstrate its resilience,” said Andy Bagnall, director-general of the BSDA. “Despite rising business costs and an increasingly complex policy landscape, our members continue to invest, innovate and provide consumers with more choice than ever before.
“These figures show an industry that continues to grow while investing in healthier choices for consumers and supporting the transition to a more circular economy. Maintaining this momentum depends on a stable and proportionate policy environment that gives businesses the confidence to innovate and invest for the long term.”
He continued: “We want to play our part in supporting the Government’s ambitions for a healthier nation and a more sustainable economy, and we hope the Government will play its role by creating the conditions that enable our industry to continue to flourish.”
Notably, more than seven out of every 10 soft drinks sold in the UK were low- or no-calorie products, reflecting continued investment in reformulation, innovation and consumer choice, the BSDA said.
In encouraging news for the sector, every major category saw growth in 2025, with sports and energy drinks delivering the strongest performance as volumes rose by 3.9%.
Bottled water volumes increased by 3.3%, supported by strong growth in cafés, restaurants and other hospitality venues, while carbonated drinks also grew by 1.9%.
