16 Largest Soda and Soft Drink Companies in The World

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In this piece, we are going to look at 16 Largest Soda and Soft Drink Companies in The World. If you want to skip our analysis on the soda and soft drinks market, you can go directly to 6 Largest Soda and Soft Drink Companies in The World.

The global soft drinks market size was valued at USD 413.46 billion in 2021, and it is anticipated to reach USD 621.66 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 5.23%.

In 2019, fizzy drinks like sodas were still rocking the soft drink world, making up 55% of the industry's value. Non-carbonated drinks, like juices and teas, had a solid 45% slice of the pie. In 2019, North America, Europe, and Northeast Asia had the biggest chunks in the soft drink world. North America took the top spot with a 40% share, followed by Europe at 20%, and Northeast Asia at 14%.

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) is like the big boss of the soft drink world and is arguably the largest soft drink company of the world. They've been at it since 1892, with over 500 brands under their belt and reaching thirsty folks in 200+ countries. As of 2021, The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) still reigns supreme in the soda battle, holding about 48% of the global market share. Moreover, in 2022, The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) was rocking it as the top player in the U.S. soda game, holding a hefty 46.3% of the market share for carbonated drinks.

Coke crushed it with a 12% sales bump in Q4 and for the entire 2023, ending 31 December. That's way better than what PepsiCo pulled off. PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP) posted a 10% rise in overall sales and a 7% uptick in beverages for the same period. The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) is aiming for a solid 6% to 7% sales growth for 2024, outpacing Pepsi's 4%. Looks like they're gearing up for another successful year ahead!

In contrast, PepsiCo (NASDAQ: PEP) is not too far behind Coca-Cola, with around 20.5% share of market, and is rightfully, the closest competitor to Coca-Cola. PepsiCo did pretty well in Q4 ending 31 December 2023, with earnings per share beating estimates at $1.78. Sales took a bit of a dip to $27.85 billion, falling short of forecasts. Those pesky foreign exchange rates put a dent in revenue by 1.5%. On the bright side, organic revenue was up 4.5%, thanks to Pepsi upping its prices. However, those higher prices did lead to a drop in volumes for both snacks and drinks, down 3% and 2% respectively.

Now, here's the scoop on the latest trend: sugary drinks are taking a bit of a hit as folks are leaning more towards non-carbonated soft drinks. It's all about balance now – people see sugary drinks as more of a treat than an everyday thing. And, on top of that, the suspicion around artificial sweeteners isn't helping the cause. As consumers pivot away from sugar and artificial stuff, soft drink makers are getting creative. They're throwing in unique ingredients and flavors that need less sweetening, riding the wave of this changing taste trend. It's all about finding that sweet spot, right?