RTD beverages | 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%.

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.

Ready-to-drink coffee and tea are perfectly situated

Ready-to-drink coffee and tea are in line with today’s consumers’ wants and needs

February 12, 2020

The future looks bright for dairy processors that also produce ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee and/or tea. Such products mesh well with current consumer demand for beverages that go beyond simple hydration.

2019 State of the Industry: RTD coffee and tea are playing at the hot table

The juice category, meanwhile, might want to consider a chameleon strategy

Kathie Canning Jessica Jacobsen Taylor Karg

November 26, 2019

When it comes to some key nondairy beverage categories, the spin of the wheel has been kinder to some categories than others. The odds have been in ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee and tea's favor, while juice seemingly is facing a gaffed wheel.

A growth spurt for refrigerated coffee and tea

Shelf-stable ready-to-drink coffee also posted strong growth, but its tea counterpart struggled.

Kathie Canning

October 10, 2019

The trend toward convenient grab-and-go offerings shows no signs of waning. And that reality has been good news for the ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee and tea segment.

No slowdown in sight for ready-to-drink coffee and tea

Most subcategories make strong dollar and unit sales gains

Kathie Canning

October 9, 2018

They might not be sold hot, but ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee and tea are sizzling when it comes to U.S. sales. Dollar sales for the convenience-minded category jumped 5.1% during the 52 weeks ending Aug. 12, 2018, to reach $6.3 billion, according to data from Chicago-based market research firm IRI.