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British Bottled Water Sector Grows To £1.6bn

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British bottled water has enjoyed another year of growth, with the UK market in 2012 worth £1.6 billion, according to trade association British Bottled Water Producers. This compares with £1.5 billion the previous year. 

The data, provided by research experts, Zenith International, shows that total UK bottled water production in 2012 was 1,627 million litres of which 1,557 million litres was consumed in this country.

Between 1993 and 2011, the total UK bottled water market (including water coolers), has grown from just 580 million litres to 2.14 billion litres. This means that average annual per capita consumption of water in the UK is 34 litres, leaving much opportunity for growth when compared with other countries: in the USA the average per capita consumption last year was around twice that of Britons - 67 litres.

Natural mineral waters continue to be the preferred choice, accounting for 62% of the UK market. Spring water accounts for 31% with ‘table’ waters making up 6% and purified water 2% of the total for packaged waters, both home-produced and imported.

Still water continues to outstrip sparkling water, as it has done for many years, with 86% of water sold being still as against sparkling with 14%.

Jo Jacobius, Director of British Bottled Water Producers, said: “Bottled water holds a significant share of the soft drinks industry in the UK. As a nation we now drink more bottled water than fruit juices, nectars, wine or spirits. The long term growth in bottled water consumption shows that, given the dire weather in the past year, consumer interest in healthy hydration is the key driver of sales”.


Article posted on: 01 April 2013

NOTES TO EDITORS:
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The trend towards healthy eating and drinking means that more people are buying bottled water. We're mostly made of water. Water is life-giving and vital.

In the UK we now buy more than 2 billion litres a year. As we consume more water many people naturally want to know that the water they drink is free from unwanted additives; they want to identify the source of the water; and more and more Britons want to avoid unnecessary ‘food miles’.

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