Sweetened or flavoured waters and other non-alcoholic beverages market in the Netherlands

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Dutch market for sweetened or flavoured waters and other non-alcoholic beverages saw significant volatility. Market volume jumped from 1 651 M l in 2018 to 2 400 M l in 2019, a 45% increase, largely driven by the implementation of EU Regulation 2019/787 which established new production and labeling rules for distilled drinks, affecting the broader beverages market. However, in 2020, market volume contracted to 2 081 M l, a 13% drop.

From 2021 to 2025, available trade data shows evolving patterns. Imports surged by 31% in 2021 to 1 358 M l, then fell by 18% in 2022 to 1 109 M l. By 2023, policy discussions came to the fore: authorities examined a differentiated consumption tax based on sugar content, while market innovation accelerated with new low-calorie and functional drinks. This year, imports rose modestly by 7% to 1 186 M l, but exports dropped by 15% to 1 669 M l. The tax increase implemented in January 2024 likely contributed to a 12% import decline that year to 1 039 M l, as higher duties made imported sugary drinks less attractive, while exports grew 10% to 1 829 M l. In 2025, exports climbed 15% to 2 111 M l and imports dipped further to 985 M l, supported by strong product innovation—such as alcohol-free wines and sparkling drinks—and a growing consumer preference for healthier options.

Production sweetened or flavoured waters and other non-alcoholic beverages in the Netherlands

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2019, the Netherlands recorded its highest production value for sweetened or flavored waters and other non-alcoholic beverages at 2,090 million US dollars. However, in 2020, production dropped to 1,802 million US dollars, marking a 13.8% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2018-2020 period, production declined by 2.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 12.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, M l

In 2019, the Netherlands produced its highest volume of sweetened or flavored waters and other non-alcoholic beverages at 2,777 million liters. In 2020, production fell to 2,494 million liters, a 10.2% reduction from the previous year. Over the 2018-2020 period, production grew by 25.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.0%. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2019, when production surged by 40.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, M l

Exports sweetened or flavoured waters and other non-alcoholic beverages from the Netherlands

Exports in kind, M l

The Netherlands has seen its export volume of sweetened or flavored waters and other non-alcoholic beverages increase for three consecutive years. In 2021, exports reached 1,716 million liters, up 18.2% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 32.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, M l

From 2018 to 2021, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Germany were the largest buyers of sweetened or flavored waters and other non-alcoholic beverages from the Netherlands, accounting for 17.3%, 16.5%, and 12.2% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 46.0% of total exports in kind, with the remaining 54.0% distributed among numerous smaller partners.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

The Netherlands has experienced a second consecutive year of growth in the export value of sweetened or flavored waters and other non-alcoholic beverages. In 2021, exports totaled 2,482 million US dollars, a 25.3% increase year-on-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports rose by 29.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.1%. The lowest export value was recorded in 2019 at 1,855 million US dollars, which represented a 2.9% decline from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the export value of sweetened or flavored waters and other non-alcoholic beverages from the Netherlands was broadly distributed across many markets. The United Kingdom, Belgium, and Germany accounted for 17.1%, 11.9%, and 9.8% of exports in value terms, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 38.8% of total exports, while the remaining 61.2% came from a diverse range of other partners.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021

Imports sweetened or flavoured waters and other non-alcoholic beverages to the Netherlands

Imports in kind, M l

The Netherlands has recorded a third consecutive year of growth in import volume for sweetened or flavored waters and other non-alcoholic beverages. In 2021, imports amounted to 1,358 million liters, a 30.9% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 40.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, M l

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, Belgium, and France were the primary sources of sweetened or flavored waters and other non-alcoholic beverages imported into the Netherlands, accounting for 49.5%, 22.4%, and 6.2% of imports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 78.1% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

The Netherlands has seen its import value of sweetened or flavored waters and other non-alcoholic beverages increase for three consecutive years. In 2021, imports reached 986 million US dollars, reflecting a strong 15.1% gain compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports rose by 25.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, Belgium, and Austria were the leading suppliers of sweetened or flavored waters and other non-alcoholic beverages to the Netherlands, accounting for 31.5%, 23.4%, and 15.3% of imports in value terms, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 70.2% of total imports in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021