South Africa Canned Beverages - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2026-2031)

The south africa canned beverages market was valued at USD 420.04 million in 2025 and is expected to increase from USD 441.29 million in 2026 to USD 575.47 million by 2031, registering a CAGR of 5.51% during the forecast period 2026-2031. This report is Segmented by Product Type (Alcoholic Beverages and Non-Alcoholic Beverages), Can Material (Aluminum Cans and Steel/Tinplate Cans), Category (Conventional and Organic), and Distribution Channel (On-Trade and Off-Trade). The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD) and Volume (Liters).

South Africa Canned Beverages Market Trends and Insights

Rising demand for convenience and on-the-go consumption

Convenience and on-the-go consumption are supporting growth in the South Africa canned beverages market, as more consumers prefer drinks that are easy to carry, store, and consume during busy daily routines. Urbanization, longer working hours, commuting, and changing shopping habits are encouraging consumers to choose ready-to-drink options that require no preparation. According to GroundUp in November 2025, South Africa had approximately 17 million employed people at the end of the third quarter of 2025, indicating a large working population that may prefer convenient beverage formats during travel, work breaks, and quick shopping trips. Cans are lightweight, durable, and portable, making them suitable for impulse purchases through supermarkets, convenience stores, forecourt retailers, and spaza shops. As more working professionals and students look for quick refreshment options, demand for canned soft drinks, energy drinks, ready-to-drink coffee, and alcoholic beverages is expected to remain strong.

Increasing tourism and hospitality activities

Growing tourism and hospitality activities are supporting the growth of the South Africa canned beverages market, as more people consume beverages in hotels, restaurants, bars, resorts, events, and entertainment venues. According to Statistics South Africa, the country recorded 36.5 million travelers in 2025, including 18.9 million arrivals, showing strong travel activity from both domestic and international visitors. As more tourists visit the country for leisure, business, and events, demand for easy-to-carry, ready-to-drink beverages continues to rise. This is increasing the consumption of canned soft drinks, beer, cider, energy drinks, and RTD alcoholic beverages across hospitality and tourism channels. The convenience, portability, and longer shelf life of canned beverages make them suitable for busy on-trade locations, outdoor events, and travel-related consumption. As tourism, leisure, and business travel continue to grow, the demand for canned beverages in South Africa is expected to strengthen further.

Intense competition from alternative packaging formats

Strong competition from other packaging formats is limiting the growth of the South Africa canned beverages market. Many consumers still prefer cheaper and familiar options such as PET bottles, aseptic cartons, and flexible pouches, especially for soft drinks, juices, bottled water, and ready-to-drink tea. These packaging formats often offer larger quantities at a lower cost per liter, appealing to price-sensitive buyers. PET bottles are also widely available, easy to carry, and supported by well-established production and distribution systems across South Africa. With inflation and rising living costs affecting purchasing decisions, consumers are becoming more careful about what they buy. As a result, beverage companies continue to invest in various packaging options rather than focusing solely on cans, slowing the growth of canned beverages across several non-alcoholic drink categories.

Other drivers and restraints analyzed in the detailed report include:

• Strong demand for beer, cider, and canned alcoholic beverages
• Advancements in can manufacturing technology
• Mandatory environmental compliance

Segment Analysis

Alcoholic beverages accounted for 67.38% of the South African canned beverages market in 2025, making them the largest product segment by revenue. Canned beer, cider, ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails, and flavored alcoholic drinks remained widely popular among consumers. Many consumers preferred cans because they are easy to carry, chill quickly, and are convenient for outdoor and social occasions. Premium products and new flavor launches also supported demand, while strong availability across supermarkets, liquor stores, and convenience outlets helped the segment maintain its leading position.

The non-alcoholic beverages segment is expected to record the fastest CAGR of 6.47% during 2026-2031. Growth is driven by rising consumer interest in healthier, more convenient drink options. Demand is increasing for energy drinks, sparkling water, ready-to-drink coffee, iced tea, and low-sugar beverages. Manufacturers are also launching functional drinks with vitamins, minerals, and natural ingredients to attract health-conscious consumers. Wider retail availability, growing on-the-go consumption, and regular product innovation are expected to support the segment’s strong growth during the forecast period.

Aluminum cans are expected to hold 68.41% of the South Africa canned beverages market in 2025, making them the leading packaging material. Beverage companies prefer them because they are light, strong, and easy to transport, which helps lower logistics costs. They also protect drinks well and help maintain freshness and quality for a longer period. Aluminum cans are easy to print on, allowing brands to use clear designs and attractive packaging. Their high recyclability and strong collection network also make them a preferred choice as companies focus more on sustainable packaging.

The steel and tinplate cans segment is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 6.06% during 2026-2031. These cans are gaining demand because they are strong, cost-effective, and suitable for specific beverage categories. They offer good product protection and support a longer shelf life, which makes them useful for long-distance distribution. New coatings that reduce corrosion and improvements in lightweight manufacturing are making steel cans more competitive. Growing investment in recyclable metal packaging is also expected to support the wider use of steel and tinplate cans during the forecast period.

Complete Report Scope:

• By Product Type
  • Alcoholic Beverages
    • Beer
    • Wine
    • Spirits
    • Others
  • Non-Alcoholic Beverages
    • Carbonated Soft Drinks
    • Energy Drinks
    • Sports Drinks
    • Juices
    • RTD Tea and Coffee
    • Others
• By Can Material
  • Aluminum Cans
  • Steel/Tinplate Cans
• By Category
  • Conventional
  • Organic
• By Distribution Channel
  • On-Trade
  • Off-Trade
    • Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
    • Convenience/Grocery Stores
    • Online Retail Stores
    • Other Off-Trade Channels

List of Companies Covered in this Report:

• The Coca-Cola Company
• PepsiCo, Inc.
• Anheuser-Busch InBev
• Heineken N.V.
• Tiger Brands Limited
• Diageo plc
• Distell Group Holdings Limited
• Red Bull GmbH
• Monster Beverage Corporation
• Nestlé S.A.
• RFG Holdings Limited
• AVI Limited
• The Beverage Company (BevCo)
• Suntory Beverage & Food South Africa (Pty) Ltd
• Bacardi Limited
• Kingsley Beverages Proprietary Limited
• Twizza Soft Drinks Proprietary Limited
• Bos Brands (Pty) Ltd
• Clover Industries Limited
• Pernod Ricard SA

Additional Benefits:

• The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
• 3 months of analyst support