Demand for natural beverages to grow, Technomic report says

Chicago – Demand for natural beverages will grow as Canadians become more health-conscious, according to a new report from Technomic Inc.

Canadians purchase beverages when away from home about three and a half times per week and are becoming more and more conscious of the foods and beverages they put into their bodies, says the “2016 Canadian Beverage Consumer Trend Report: Quenching Canada’s Thirst.”

Thirty-eight per cent of consumers want restaurants to offer healthier beverage options and 60 per cent are more likely to purchase all-natural beverages, the report suggests.

“Consumers have made it clear that they look for beverages that are natural and free from artificial ingredients,” says Kelly Weikel, director of consumer insights at Technomic, Inc., in a news release. “Emphasizing these aspects along with functional benefits like digestive support and stress relief can help appeal to today’s consumers and also increase cheque averages.”

Key takeaways and opportunities from the report include:

• Nearly a quarter of consumers are willing to pay more for beverages made with 100 per cent fruit juice.
• Nearly half of consumers say they are more likely to purchase beverages that are handcrafted or house-made.
• Roughly a third of consumers desire greater beverage variety at full-service restaurants, and this is especially the case amongst Generation Zers and millennials.

The full report may be found at Technomic’s website.