RTD tea | Dairy Foods

Ready-to-drink coffee and tea sales percolate

Industry segment had a strong year in most every subcategory.

September 28, 2022

Refrigerated ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee and tea were red hot, with percolating sales of nearly $949 million and $1.44 billion, respectively, in multi-outlets for the 52 weeks ending July 10, IRI data states. Percentage-wise, coffee saw a 27% sales increase, while tea added year-over-year sales of 11%.

RTD coffee, tea and juice are more than convenient

Today’s offerings mesh with a number of current and emerging consumer trends.

Kathie Canning

January 28, 2022

Whether they are in search of energy or refreshment, consumers no longer need to wait for the coffee to brew or the tea bag to steep.

State of the Industry: Nondairy beverages had divided success

RTD coffee categories continue to speed down the freeway, but juice and tea have to avoid some areas of congestion.

November 2, 2021

Nondairy beverages mainly cruised down the sales highway this year.

The retail RTD coffee category is piping hot

The RTD tea category posted more modest growth, however.

Kathie Canning

September 17, 2021

If sales data are any indication, more consumers are saying goodbye to coffee filters, tea bags and the long wait to brew. According to data from Chicago-based market research firm IRI, dollar sales within the shelf-stable ready-to-drink (RTD) tea and coffee category shot up 9.5% during the 52 weeks ending Aug. 8, 2021, to $7,647.5 million. Unit sales increased 3.0% to 3,044.1 million.

Twrl Milk Tea combines RTD tea with pea protein

The offering comes in three flavors.

July 7, 2021

San Francisco-based Twrl Milk Tea says it is disrupting the coffee and tea industry by adding an alternative milk solution: pea protein.

Coffee and tea boast versatility

Whether formulated into RTD beverages or added to dairy products, coffee and tea present growth opportunities for dairy processors.

Anna Boisseau

February 23, 2021

Many of our workdays have looked a little different over the past year. But one thing has remained constant for a lot of us: starting the morning with a coffee- or tea-based beverage.

On-trend RTD beverages keep ‘em thirsting for more

A global pandemic and consumers’ desire for better-for-you offerings bode well for growth in the RTD coffee, tea and juice segments.

Kathie Canning

February 8, 2021

The ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee and tea segment is decidedly no longer a niche market within the United States. The segment racked up retail sales of almost $7 billion during the 52 weeks ending Aug. 9, 2020, according to data from Chicago-based market research firm IRI.

2020 State of the Industry: Nondairy beverages put on a happy face

On-trend product development is helping key segments avoid a sad-clown frown.

November 2, 2020

Nondairy beverages mainly painted on smiles this year. Ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee was the master of ceremonies at retail, shining in both the shelf-stable cappuccino/iced coffee and refrigerated coffee segments.

Ups and downs for ready-to-drink tea at retail

But ready-to-drink coffee posted strong dollar and unit sales growth.

Kathie Canning

September 25, 2020

The retail ready-to-drink (RTD) tea and coffee category found itself in a good news/bad news situation over the past year.

Kombucha Town releases hybrid kombucha and seltzer beverage

Live Seltzer comes in Ginger, Grapefruit and Cucumber flavors.

August 3, 2020

Kombucha Town, Bellingham, Wash., said it launched Live Seltzer, a hybrid between two of the fastest-growing and most popular categories in the beverage industry over the last 20 years: functional beverages and seltzers.