India’s ready-to-drink (RTD) non-alcoholic beverage market is poised for significant growth, projected to increase from around $20 billion in 2025 to $40 billion by 2030, according to a report by Redseer Strategy Consultants. The surge is attributed to the rapid expansion of quick commerce, particularly in the RTD sector, which has experienced over 100% growth.
The report highlights a shift in consumer behavior towards immediate, need-based consumption from planned stock-up purchases. Despite this growth, India’s per capita RTD consumption stands at 15–20 liters, considerably lower than global averages, indicating substantial room for expansion.
Compared to other countries like the US, China, and the UK, where per capita consumption ranges from 60 to 120 liters, India’s consumption in this category remains notably lower. The report also identifies a rising demand for protein drinks, functional hydration, and packaged coconut water, with the latter contributing significantly to the approximately $900 million category.
Emphasizing the impact of quick commerce on the packaged food and beverage industry, the report predicts a substantial increase in the quick commerce channel from $4 billion to $25 billion by 2030. This growth is expected to capture a larger portion of the market’s incremental demand, driven by factors beyond seasonal variations like summer.
Mrigank Gutgutia, Partner at Redseer, anticipates that the beverages sector will benefit greatly from evolving consumption patterns. He notes that the industry, characterized by high-frequency and impulse-driven purchases, is well-positioned for sustained growth, especially with the increasing preference for healthier options and low per capita consumption in India.
Gutgutia advises brands to adapt their product innovation, pricing, and distribution strategies to cater to the evolving demand across different consumer segments and local markets.
