Börse Express – Natural mineral water from Austria: Sales increased again after the pandemic-related decline
- The total bottling volume of natural mineral water increased by 3% to 700.3 million liters in 2021
- Highest sales increases year-on-year in April, June and November
- Natural mineral water with carbonic acid continues to be Austria’s favorite (56%), types with little and without carbonic acid ex aequo with 22% each of the total filling volume
Even though official measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, all previous temporary closures of restaurants and restrictions in tourism, events and events made for an extremely challenging market environment, natural mineral water from Austria remains on everyone’s lips: after the pandemic-related decline in the total bottling volume in 2020, the Austrian mineral water bottlers can draw a positive balance for 2021, because the sales figures could be increased again. While the total filling volume (domestic and export) was 785.6 million liters in 2019, it fell to 682.7 million liters in 2020 after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and rose again in 2021 to 700.4 million liters of natural mineral water from Austria. Even if the pre-crisis level has not yet been reached, the data show a clear recovery effect.
Nevertheless, official measures to contain the pandemic had a clear impact on the mineral water balance in 2021: In the months at the beginning of the year that were particularly affected by restrictions, the largest declines in mineral water filling volumes of 25% (January) and 23% (February) and March 31). From the beginning of the second quarter, on the other hand, a clear upward trend was initiated in all months – with the exception of September 2021. The highest increases in sales (domestic and export) compared to the previous year were achieved in April (+39%), June (+45%) and November (+24%).
“The market environment continued to be extremely challenging in 2021. With regard to the filling quantities, however, we can already see a pleasing balance: the Austrian mineral water company was able to increase them again over the course of the year. The mineral water balance for 2021 shows that Austrians appreciate natural mineral water as an originally pure quality product and are particularly happy to use regional natural treasures from local sources,” says Herbert Schlossnikl, spokesman for the Natural Mineral Water Forum. “The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have also left their mark on the reusable portion. While this was still 21% at the end of 2019 before the outbreak of the health crisis, it has now fallen to 17.8%. The decline is primarily related to restrictions in the catering trade and at events, where reusable containers are traditionally used extensively. At the same time, we see that the demand for reusable containers in the retail sector is unbroken. For example, in the case of 1-liter glass bottles with a filling volume of 95.2 million liters, an increase of two percent can be recorded compared to the previous year. The clear goal of the Austrian mineral water bottlers is to gradually increase the total proportion of reusables, as was already the case for a long time before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Biggest increases in sales with end of lockdown
After gradual opening steps, the gastronomy in Austria was fully accessible again from mid-May, events are increasingly possible under appropriate conditions and the to-go business was able to recover. This is also shown by the mineral water balance sheet for 2021: In April, the second-highest increase was achieved with a 40% increase in domestic sales. Compared to the previous year, more mineral water was sold domestically only in June (+46%). With domestic sales of 81.6 million liters, June was the month of the year with the highest sales overall. With an increase of 24% in November, the high demand for natural mineral water from Austria at the end of the lockdown for vaccinated and recovered people in December was also evident.
Sparkling mineral water is Austria’s favourite
With 371.2 million liters, natural mineral water with carbonic acid accounts for 56% of the total filling volume, making it the most popular type among Austrians. Natural mineral water without and with little carbonic acid followed with 22% each. The bottling volume of natural mineral water from Austria without carbon dioxide was increased by a total of 12% in a year-on-year comparison.
Sparkling, sparkling, or still, the 1-litre glass bottle is the most popular reusable option in the country. The domestic demand for natural mineral water with carbonic acid in reusable glass bottles is in first place with 69%, followed by natural mineral water with little carbonic acid (20%) and without carbonic acid (11%). As in previous years, the 1.5-liter plastic bottle with a filling volume of 418.2 million liters occupies the top position in a direct comparison of the types of packaging in Germany. Natural mineral water with carbonic acid is also very popular in plastic bottles with a share of 53%. Compared to the previous year, in 2021 natural mineral water without carbonic acid (24%) was used more than natural mineral water with little carbonic acid (22%) when it came to plastic bottles.
Balance sheet infographics [hier]
(http:////share.eup.at/sharing/bk4PDfupQ) available for download.
About natural mineral water from Austria
Natural mineral water from Austria has its origins in the depths of the earth and has always been considered a special domestic resource. Obtained from underground sources that are protected from any contamination, Austrian mineral water is a pure, regional natural product that is bottled directly at the source. The unique taste and the unmistakable composition of natural ingredients such as trace elements, carbonic acid and minerals are created according to the soil and rock layers through which the mineral water flows. The product of pristine purity is the only foodstuff that, in addition to tests, also requires official approval from the Austrian Ministry of Health.