Market Overview: Increasing Opportunities for Protein Beverages in Asia
Consumers’ strong interest in protein is driving growth and new opportunities in protein beverages in the Asian market. Learn more about the expansion of protein beyond traditional sports drinks in this ASPAC edition of our newsletter.
ASPAC Functional Beverage Market: Protein Drinks Trending
Asia Pacific’s $143.4 billion functional beverage market makes up nearly half of the $300.2 billion global functional beverage market, with good growth ahead (+4.0% CAGR, 2022-2027).* The fastest growing categories in the region are sports drinks (+12.3%), energy drinks (+11.3%), dairy alternative beverages (+3.1%), and protein drinks (+3.0%).*
The protein drink category is uniquely positioned as the only niche functional beverage category (less than $5 billion) on the rise.* Though protein drinks are often associated with sports and active nutrition consumers, beverage companies are responding to the trending mainstream interest in protein; last year, protein claims were the top health claim in new functional beverages launched in Asia—ahead of energy and immunity claims.*
Top 3 Functional Beverage Health Claims by Region (launched 2023-2024)
ASPAC Sports & Active Nutrition Market: High Growth in Protein RTD
In Asia Pacific’s sports and active nutrition market, sales of ready-to-drink protein drinks reached $432 million last year and are expected to hit $571 million in 2027, at a CAGR of 7.2%.* This growth rate is even higher than the +7.0% forecast for ready-to-mix protein drinks (the protein format that dominates the sports and active nutrition market).*
New Product Opportunities for Protein Beverages in Asia
Globally, 42% of consumers consider protein to be the most important ingredient, with this perspective especially strong among Millennials and Gen Z.* This trend is also playing out in Asia as more consumers looking for foods and beverages that can better support their health see protein as the answer.
Driven by its well-recognized benefits, protein does not need to be limited to traditional sports protein drinks but can expand into beverage categories not previously considered—for example, protein-enhanced coffee and water, and even yogurt and dairy alternative beverages with added protein.
Protein Ready-to-drink beverage development is an art.
Power Your Product Development with Protein
Whether you’re considering opportunities in sports protein RTD or innovative protein-enhanced functional beverages, the time is right to focus your product development efforts on protein. As the protein trend gains traction in Asia, offering consumers convenient options that address this need provides a pathway to success.?
Contact Glanbia Nutritionals to discuss the benefits of using our dairy-based proteins, micronutrients, and custom premix solutions in your next beverage.
*Sources cited here.