UK beverage can market tops 9.5bn

The Can Makers, the body representing the UK manufacturers of beverage cans, have revealed a strong second half for 2013, boosting the UK drinks can market to over 9,590 million empty can deliveries for the whole of 2013, up 2.2% on 2012.

Within the beer and cider category, empty can deliveries were up by almost 5%, bringing the total to 4,440 million. In the Nielsen universe, though the lager and ale markets were relatively flat, the market for cider in cans increased by 11%. For cider, smaller can multipacks were particularly popular, with four packs increasing by 8%, accounting for over a quarter of the market. Within the overall sector, the smaller sized cans, e.g. 33cl, increased by 10% and larger multipacks also performed well.

The CSD market saw 5,149 million empty cans delivered, up marginally on 2012. According to Nielsen, 50cl cans, driven predominantly by energy drinks, remain the jewel in the CSD crown. This size continued to grow faster than the category as a whole, up 21% on 2012. CSDs in the impulse sector showed the strongest performance, as on the go consumption continued to rise in popularity, up 3%. Across the board, the rate of smaller pack growth overtook larger multipacks, with single can sales and four packs both up 7%. In grocery multiples, where 87% of can sales were in multipacks, 10 packs continued to be the fastest growing pack size.

Graham Fenton, chairman of the UK Can Makers, commented, “I am delighted that the can market has topped 9.5bn. It shows that the drinks can remains a pack of choice for brewers and soft drink companies, retailers and consumers alike. It’s a real achievement in a year which has lacked the stimulus of big sporting events and saw the UK still suffering from tough economic times.

“Though the year got off to a cold start, a good British summer has undoubtedly given the market a much-needed lift, bringing more opportunity to enjoy picnics, barbeques and other occasions where drinks in cans are consumed.”

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