Brazil Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Coffee Market Trends and Insights
Rising on‑the‑go lifestyle and demand for convenient caffeine formats
Urbanization and increasing commute times in Brazilian metropolitan areas are significantly influencing coffee consumption habits, leading to a shift from traditional sit-down café experiences to more convenient grab-and-go formats that cater to fragmented daily schedules. Nestlé, recognizing this trend, has strategically emphasized single-serve ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee products and out-of-home vending machines to meet the needs of younger consumers under 24 years old. This demographic values convenience and speed over traditional brewing rituals, making them a key target for such offerings. Nestlé projects an impressive 15% annual growth for its RTD coffee portfolio, far outpacing the broader Brazilian coffee market's growth rate of 5-6%, which underscores the growing consumer preference for convenience-driven formats over legacy categories. Supporting this trend, Oxxo, a convenience-store chain, has expanded its footprint to 564 stores in Brazil, adding 184 new locations in the past year, and introduced its Andatti coffee brand in November 2024. This move illustrates how convenience-store chains are positioning RTD coffee as both a driver of customer traffic and a contributor to higher profit margins, complementing traditional snack and beverage offerings. Furthermore, Starbucks Frappuccino's availability through Drogal pharmacy chains at a price of BRL 14.99 per 280ml unit highlights the potential for RTD coffee to command premium pricing even in non-traditional retail settings, provided that convenience and brand equity are effectively aligned.Growing popularity of cold brew and iced coffee for their smoother, less‑acidic profile
Cold brew's 20-hour infusion process produces a coffee concentrate with 67% lower acidity compared to hot-brewed coffee. This lower acidity makes it particularly appealing to consumers who experience gastrointestinal discomfort from traditional espresso-based beverages or those who prefer a smoother, milder flavor profile. This flavor profile is well-suited for customization with milk, sweeteners, and flavor additions, as it avoids the bitterness often associated with hot-brewed coffee. Dark Angel Cold Brew introduced Brazil's first nationally available organic cold brew coffee in a 200ml format, originating from Florianópolis. The product is positioned as a premium, health-conscious alternative to mass-market iced coffee options. In São Paulo, iced coffee sales represented 12% of total café sales, with the largest purchasing demographic being consumers under 30 years old. This trend suggests that cold coffee formats are increasingly becoming a generational preference rather than a seasonal novelty. In 2024, major brands such as McDonald's, Havanna, Momo, and Bendito launched cold coffee products priced between BRL 14.90 and BRL 26.00. These products targeted "Starbucks orphans," a term referring to consumers seeking premium cold coffee experiences following the closure of Starbucks stores in Brazil. This development underscores the growing demand for accessible luxury within the ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee market.Consumer concerns about high caffeine intake and artificial additives in some formulations
Caffeine content in ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee varies significantly, ranging from 80 milligrams in a 240ml serving of standard iced coffee to over 200 milligrams in energy-focused cold brew concentrates. This variation poses a risk of overconsumption, particularly for consumers who may underestimate their caffeine intake or combine RTD coffee with other caffeinated beverages throughout the day. According to a study by Kerry Group in August 2024, 49% of Brazilian consumers actively seek beverages with functional or nutritional benefits. However, this growing health awareness also leads consumers to closely examine ingredient lists for artificial additives, preservatives, and synthetic flavorings. This trend places pressure on manufacturers to adopt clean-label formulations, which can increase production costs and limit options for extending shelf life. Additionally, the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency's (ANVISA) proposed warning label for non-sugar sweeteners highlights regulatory concerns regarding artificial additives. Such labeling could reduce consumer willingness to purchase RTD coffee products sweetened with aspartame, sucralose, or acesulfame potassium (acesulfame-K). As a result, brands may need to invest in more expensive natural sweeteners, such as stevia or monk fruit, to avoid the negative perception associated with these labels.Other drivers and restraints analyzed in the detailed report include:
- Shift from carbonated soft drinks toward “more purposeful” beverages like RTD coffee
- Expansion of flavored and indulgent variants attracting younger consumers
- High sugar content in many RTD coffees clashing with health‑and‑wellness trends
Segment Analysis
Cold brew coffee is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.37% from 2026 to 2031, outpacing the growth of iced coffee and other ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee segments. This growth is driven by its smoother and less-acidic profile, which resonates with consumers seeking premium coffee experiences without the bitterness typically associated with traditional espresso-based beverages. In 2025, iced coffee held 52.98% of the market share, supported by mass-market offerings from companies such as Nestlé, Coca-Cola, and PepsiCo. These products emphasize affordability and extensive distribution rather than artisanal production methods.Dark Angel Cold Brew launched Brazil's first nationally available organic cold brew in a 200ml format, utilizing a 20-hour infusion process. Priced at BRL 14.90, the product targets health-conscious consumers willing to pay a 30-40% premium over standard iced coffee. Similarly, Café Constantino's 269ml cold brew, also priced at BRL 14.90, highlights the use of 100% Arabica beans. This reflects a growing trend where origin transparency and quality are becoming essential factors for differentiation within the cold brew segment.
Complete Report Scope:
- By Type
- Cold Brew Coffee
- Iced Coffee
- Other RTD Coffee
- By Packaging Type
- PET Bottles
- Glass Bottles
- Metal Can
- Aseptic packages (tetra pak, cartons, pouches)
- Others
- By Distribution Channel
- On-Trade
- Off-Trade
- Supermarket/Hypermarket
- Convenience Stores
- Specialty Stores
- Online Retail
- Other Distribution Channels
List of Companies Covered in this Report:
- Nestlé S.A.
- The Coca-Cola Company
- Starbucks Corporation
- PepsiCo Inc.
- Grupo 3corações
- Ambev S.A.
- Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd.
- Asahi Group Holdings
- Arla Foods amba
- WOW! Nutrition
- JDE Peet’s N.V.
- Danone S.A.
- Monster Beverage Corp.
- Califia Farms LLC
- High Brew Coffee Inc.
- Dunkin’ Brands Group
- Lavazza Group
- Lotte Corporation
- Café Cacique SA
- Suntory-Pepsi bottling JV
Additional Benefits:
- The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
- 3 months of analyst support
Table of Contents
Companies Mentioned (Partial List)
A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes, but is not limited to:
- Nestlé S.A.
- The Coca-Cola Company
- Starbucks Corporation
- PepsiCo Inc.
- Grupo 3corações
- Ambev S.A.
- Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd.
- Asahi Group Holdings
- Arla Foods amba
- WOW! Nutrition
- JDE Peet’s N.V.
- Danone S.A.
- Monster Beverage Corp.
- Califia Farms LLC
- High Brew Coffee Inc.
- Dunkin’ Brands Group
- Lavazza Group
- Lotte Corporation
- Café Cacique SA
- Suntory-Pepsi bottling JV

