The soft drink industry is a global powerhouse, driven by iconic brands, innovative marketing, and a constant stream of new product offerings. In 2023, the global soft drink market was valued at over $800 billion, with millions of consumers enjoying a wide variety of beverages daily.
From traditional colas to energy drinks and flavored waters, the industry is diverse and dynamic. Here, we explore the top five largest soft drink companies that dominate this expansive market, showcasing their history, product lines, and global impact.
The 5 biggest soft drink brands globally
The global soft drink market
The worldwide soft drink market is a broad and dynamic sector that includes carbonated soft drinks, bottled water, fruit juices, energy drinks, sports drinks, and ready-to-drink teas and coffees.
In 2023, the worldwide soft drinks market was worth roughly $440.1 billion, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.74%.
A variety of causes, including changing lifestyles, urbanization, increased disposable incomes, and continual product innovation, are driving demand for these items. Major industry companies spend a lot of money on marketing and advertising to maintain their market share and attract new customers. Leading companies have also responded quickly to consumer demand for healthy beverages by offering low-calorie, organic, and low-sugar alternatives.
Top 5 biggest soft drink companies in the world
The soft drink industry, first established in the 17th century and expanded through in the 20th century, is constantly expanding with giants such as Coca-Cola, dominating over 50% of the market share in many countries. Here are the top 5 biggest soft drink manufacturers in the world by market share.
The Coca Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, was founded in 1886 and is the world’s largest and most well-known soft drink manufacturer. Coca-Cola’s global revenue was $45.8 billion in 2023, making it the leader in the soft drink market.
Known for its flagship product, Coca-Cola, the corporation boasts a diverse portfolio of 200 brands in over 200 countries. Every day, about 2.1 billion Coca-Cola products are enjoyed by people around the world.
Key Brands:
- Coca-Cola: The original cola drink and the world’s most popular soft drink.
- Diet Coke/Coca-Cola Zero Sugar: Low-calorie and zero-calorie versions of the classic Coca-Cola.
- Sprite: The world’s most popular lemon-lime flavored soda.
- Fanta: A fruit-flavored soda available in a variety of flavors.
- Dasani: Bottled water.
Key Markets: According to Coca-Cola’s 2023 report, carbonated soft drinks, the brand’s main offering, saw rapid growth in Latin America and Asia Pacific. China, Africa, and the US saw the largest growth in juice, value-added dairy, and plant-based beverages. Other drinks like tea, coffee, sports, and water grew primarily in Latin America.
One of the Coca-Cola factories
Over the years, Coca-Cola has diversified its offerings beyond the classic flavor to include a variety of formulations and flavors such as Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Cherry, and seasonal or region-specific variations.
Coca-Cola is also committed to sustainability, with efforts such as water stewardship, carbon emissions reduction, and recycling promotion through its “World Without Waste” program. Since 2020, Coca-Cola Vietnam has adopted 100% rPET recycled plastic bottles (excluding bottle caps and labels) for 300ml Coca-Cola products.
Pepsico
PepsiCo, founded in 1965 and headquartered in Purchase, New York, is another giant in the soft drink industry. The company not only leads in the beverage sector but also has a significant presence in the snack food market.
In 2023, PepsiCo’s global net revenue was roughly $91.47 billion US dollars, of which 37.5 billion USD, or 41%, came from beverage goods. However, this beverage revenue is only around 82% of the revenue of competitor Coca-Cola (45.8).
Key Brands:
- Pepsi: The main competitor to Coca-Cola, available in various versions like Diet Pepsi and Pepsi Zero Sugar.
- Mountain Dew: A citrus-flavored soda with a strong following.
- 7UP: A lemon-lime soda.
- Gatorade: A sports drink designed to rehydrate and replenish electrolytes.
- Aquafina: Bottled water.
Pepsico’s beverage & foods brands (Photo source: Pepsico)
Key Markets: PepsiCo operates in over 200 countries, but the United States is its largest market, accounting for 57% of total revenue in 2023. The next largest markets are Europe and Latin America.
Innovation and Sustainability: PepsiCo has prioritized environmental protection through a variety of initiatives, including packaging, energy efficiency, and carbon emission reduction.
According to PepsiCo’s report, in 2023, 31 markets had at least one PepsiCo product packaged with 100% recycled PET (rPET). Furthermore, renewable energy accounted for approximately 80% of the brand’s total global electricity consumption. PepsiCo and Walmart have announced a seven-year partnership to invest up to $120 million to improve soil and water health across farmland in the United States and Canada, thereby reducing carbon emissions.
Monster Beverage Corporation
Monster Beverage Corporation, founded in 1935 and headquartered in Corona, California, is a leading player in the energy drink market. The company has grown significantly, primarily due to the popularity of its Monster Energy drinks.
In 2022, Monster Beverage’s global net sales amounted to nearly 6.3 billion U.S. dollars. The beverage company’s net sales increased with each consecutive year since 2008, when the numbers stood at an estimated one billion U.S. dollars.
Key Brands:
- Monster Energy: A high-caffeine energy drink available in various flavors and formulations.
- Java Monster: A coffee-flavored energy drink.
- Monster Rehab: A non-carbonated energy drink with tea and lemonade.
Monster Beverage Corporation has a strong presence in North America and is expanding rapidly in international markets. The brand is particularly popular among younger consumers and extreme sports enthusiasts.
Monster items have become more popular in recent years
Monster Beverage is also committed to sustainability, with a focus on reducing its carbon footprint.
Monster is making steady progress in its solar mission. The total solar capacity for Monster’s headquarters, warehouses, and facilities is now expected to be around 3.39 MW. The annual solar production is estimated to be 5,644 MWh. These renewable energy installations will save more than 1,300 metric tons of CO2e per year.
Redbull Gmbh
Red Bull GmbH, founded in 1984 and headquartered in Fuschl am See, Austria, is the world leader in energy drinks. The company’s flagship product, Red Bull Energy Drink, revolutionized the soft drink market and gave birth to the energy drink category.
In 2023, Red Bull GmbH reported annual revenues of around $8 billion, reflecting its dominance in the energy drink market
Key Brands:
- Red Bull Energy Drink: The original energy drink, available in various flavors and sugar-free versions.
- Red Bull Editions: Flavored variants like Red Bull Red (cranberry), Blue (blueberry), and Yellow (tropical).
Red Bull is sold in over 170 countries, with a marketing strategy that includes sponsoring extreme sports, music festivals, and cultural events. The brand’s iconic slogan, “Red Bull gives you wings,” is widely recognized.
Red Bull GmbH is well-known for its best-selling energy beverages around the globe
Red Bull continues to innovate with new product lines and flavors. The company is also committed to sustainability, focusing on energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable packaging solutions.
Suntory Beverages and Food
Suntory Beverage & Food, founded in 1899 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a major player in the global beverage market. The company offers a diverse portfolio of soft drinks, teas, and bottled water.
Suntory Beverage & Food reported annual revenues of approximately $14 billion in 2023, demonstrating its significant influence in the beverage industry.
Key Brands:
- Suntory Tennensui: A popular bottled water brand in Japan.
- BOSS Coffee: The biggest ready-to-drink coffee brand in Japan.
- Orangina: A citrus-flavored soda with a unique taste.
- Lucozade: An energy and sports drink.
- Ribena: A blackcurrant-flavored drink rich in vitamin C.
Exceptional Suntory Beverages and Food products (Photo source: suntory.com)
Suntory’s products are widely available in Asia, Europe, and North America. The company leverages its strong brand reputation and innovative product offerings to maintain its market position.
Suntory is dedicated to sustainability, with initiatives focusing on water conservation, reducing plastic waste, and promoting recycling. The company also invests in research and development to create new, healthier beverage options.
Conclusion
The global soft drink market remains highly concentrated, with giants like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo continuing to dominate through their extensive portfolios and worldwide distribution. At the same time, specialized players such as Monster Beverage and Red Bull maintain strong positions in the energy drink segment, while Suntory Beverage & Food expands its global footprint with diverse and innovative products.
These corporations not only compete with their iconic brands but also respond quickly to consumer shifts — from healthier, low-sugar alternatives to sustainable packaging and responsible sourcing. The industry’s future will continue to be shaped by these dynamics, creating both challenges and opportunities.
Yet, the beverage market is still far from saturated. With rising global demand for functional drinks, exotic fruit-based beverages, and healthier alternatives, new players have plenty of space to grow if they focus on quality, innovation, and differentiation.
At Tan Do Beverage, we help brands of all sizes turn these opportunities into reality. With years of experience in beverage innovation, a flexible MOQ policy, diverse packaging solutions, and global certifications (ISO, HACCP, HALAL, FDA), we provide turnkey OEM/ODM beverage manufacturing services trusted by partners in more than 150 countries. Whether you’re launching a functional drink, tropical juice, or premium soda, Tan Do is your reliable partner to bring world-class products to market.
