Sweetened or flavoured mineral and aerated waters market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish market for sweetened or flavoured mineral waters entered the period with strong involvement from multinational companies like Danone and Nestlé, which invested in spring acquisitions and new bottling plants. This consolidation, coupled with rising consumer preference for healthy alternatives to sugary drinks, supported market volume initially. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to a contraction in both production and consumption, pulling market size down significantly.

Recovery began in 2021 as the industry responded with a surge in functional and flavored water products, catering to demand for added-value healthy options. Environmental policy developments, including preparations for a plastic tax, prompted packaging innovations such as increased rPET use and lighter bottles. The plastic tax itself took effect in January 2022, creating cost pressures but also driving further sustainability efforts and new product launches from major players, which helped market volume rebound above pre-pandemic levels.

By 2023, the market stabilized with a slight dip, while the flavored and functional segment alone saw sales rise over 15%, indicating a shift within the category. Ongoing regulatory focus on packaging and labeling kept adaptation pressure high, with companies expanding green energy use and recycled material content. In 2024, the market recorded modest growth, continuing the post-pandemic normalization trend.

Production sweetened or flavoured mineral and aerated waters in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Spain's production of sweetened or flavoured mineral and aerated waters declined in value for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 209.2 million US dollars, marking a contraction of 4.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 13.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 247.3 million US dollars, which saw an increase of 1.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 11.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Spain in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Spain's production of sweetened or flavoured mineral and aerated waters declined in volume for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 248.4 million litres were produced, indicating a significant decline of 12.4% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 17.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.3%. The peak volume was recorded in 2018 at 309.9 million litres, which saw an increase of 2.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Spain in kind, 2017-2020, M l

Exports sweetened or flavoured mineral and aerated waters from Spain

Exports in kind, M l

Spain's exports of sweetened or flavoured mineral and aerated waters increased in volume for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 193.2 million litres, marking an advance of 11.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 31.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Spain in kind, 2017-2020, M l

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of sweetened or flavoured mineral and aerated waters from Spain in volume terms were Portugal, accounting for 53.8% of exports, France with 15.3%, and the United Kingdom at 9.9%. Together, these three countries formed 78.9% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Spain in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Spain's exports of sweetened or flavoured mineral and aerated waters increased in value for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 147.1 million US dollars, corresponding to a modest gain of 8.9% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 42.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Spain in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In the period from 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for exports in value terms of sweetened or flavoured mineral and aerated waters from Spain were Portugal, with 37.7% of exports, France at 16.8%, and the United Kingdom with 12.4%. These three countries jointly accounted for 66.9% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Spain in value, 2017-2020

Imports sweetened or flavoured mineral and aerated waters to Spain

Imports in kind, M l

Spain's imports of sweetened or flavoured mineral and aerated waters declined in volume for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Spain imported a total of 94.2 million litres, down by 23.4% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 27%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.9%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 140.3 million litres, which saw an increase of 8.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Spain in kind, 2017-2020, M l

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for imports in volume terms of sweetened or flavoured mineral and aerated waters to Spain were Austria, accounting for 25.1% of imports, Portugal with 22.3%, and Germany at 13.8%. Together, these three countries represented 61.1% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Spain in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Spain's imports of sweetened or flavoured mineral and aerated waters declined in value for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume came to 113.1 million US dollars, amounting to a solid reduction of 21.6% compared with 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 17.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 154.6 million US dollars, which saw an increase of 12.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Spain in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In the period from 2017 to 2020, the main destinations in the geographical breakdown of imports in value terms of sweetened or flavoured mineral and aerated waters to Spain were Austria, with 34.9% of imports, Portugal at 20.3%, and Germany with 9.9%. These three countries had a combined share of 65.1% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Spain in value, 2017-2020