Hard seltzer has gained massive popularity in the recent years owing to its lower alcohol content and fewer calories compared to beer. Hard seltzer products are made from sparkling water, alcohol, fruit flavors, and sometimes sweeteners. With the rising health awareness amongst consumers, the demand for beverages with fewer calories and carbs has increased significantly. Hard seltzer helps address this consumer demand by providing taste and refreshment like beers but with lower alcohol by volume and calorie content.
The Global Hard Seltzer Market Share is estimated to be valued at US$ 7.65 Bn in 2024 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 8.0% over the forecast period 2024 to 2030.
Key Takeaways
Key players operating in the Hard Seltzer are Hindalco Industries Ltd., Arconic Corp., Norsk Hydro ASA, Constellium N.V., Kaiser Aluminum, Alupco, Gulf Extrusions Co. LLC, Balexo Bahrain Aluminium Extrusion Company, QALEX. Rising health consciousness and increasing preference for low-calorie and low-alcohol drinks among millennial consumers are fueling the demand for hard seltzers globally. Leading hard seltzer brands are expanding their footprint in international markets through strategic partnerships with local alcohol distributors to capitalize on the opportunity.
The global hard seltzer market is being driven by the health and wellness trend. Consumers are increasingly preferring drinks made from natural ingredients that offer equal or more refreshment but with lower sugar and calorie content. Hard seltzer fits the profile perfectly as it contains fewer calories and carbs than beer but delivers the same crisp and refreshing experience. Moreover, millennials represent a major consumer base for hard seltzers and their growing health focus is contributing to the category’s rise. Increasing product launches catering to evolving consumer preferences is also expected to support hard seltzer sales over the forecast period.
Market Drivers
One of the key growth drivers for the hard seltzer market is the rising demand from millennial consumers who account for a significant market share. Millennials are more health-conscious and prefer low-alcohol beverages that help them socialize without compromising much on their fitness regime. Hard seltzer meets these requirements well with low calories and carbs yet delivers enjoyment. Rapid urbanization is also facilitating the market growth as nuclear families trend and busy lifestyles increase the demand for convenient yet healthy beverage options. Product innovation introducing new flavors is further expanding the consumer base.
The global geopolitical landscape in recent years has significantly impacted the growth trajectory of the hard seltzer market. Inflated energy and raw material prices driven by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict have made production and transportation more expensive. This has put upward pressure on hard seltzer prices at a time when consumer spending is under stress due to high inflation across many countries. As a result, demand growth has slowed in 2022 compared to forecasts from earlier years. For the market to realize its full potential in the long run, it will be important to resolve ongoing geopolitical tensions and bring energy and commodity prices to stable levels that support affordable hard seltzer consumption.
Another key factor is the evolving regulatory environment around the world pertaining to alcohol content, excise duties and health warnings on packaging. Differing regulations across regions pose logistic and compliance challenges for companies operating in the global hard seltzer space. They will need to carefully evaluate the regulatory outlook in each geography and devise customized strategies to navigate regulatory hurdles over the forecast period. Furthermore, disruptions to global supply chains from pandemic-related lockdowns and restrictions have impacted hard seltzer availability in certain international markets in the near term. Mitigating supply chain risks will be a high priority.
In terms of geographical markets, North America currently accounts for the lion’s share of the global hard seltzer market value due to early adoption and a well-established culture of seltzer consumption. Within North America, the United States alone contributes over 80% of current market revenues. However, the Asia Pacific region is poised to be the fastest growing hard seltzer market globally from 2024 to 2030. Countries like China, India and South Korea present exciting opportunities for future expansion given their huge populations and increasing exposure to Western drinks trends among young urban consumers.
Hard seltzer companies need to have their eyes set on tapping into the immense growth avenues in Asia while defending their market positions in the mature North American region. A well-calibrated strategy targeting both developed and emerging geographical markets will be important for industry leaders to maximize revenues over the forecast period and achieve their long term ambitions in the space.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it