Bottled Water in Uruguay

PROSPECTS

Bottled water benefits from consumers’ healthier preferences

Bottled water growth in 2019 was slightly down on the previous year, although healthier consumption in the country is boosting demand, in contrast with the reduced demand evident for products in other categories. Consumers are increasingly aware of the content of various soft drinks, and have shifted their preferences towards healthier options.

Concerns regarding tap water quality also boost bottled water, particularly large volume formats

The review period witnessed increasing concern among consumers regarding the quality of tap water in the country. Some consumers who previously relied on tap water switched to bottled water as a result.

Flavoured bottled water offers growth potential

Despite the shift from other categories such as carbonates to bottled water, some bottled water categories remained small at the end of the review period. Volume sales of functional bottled water, for example, were low due to the higher unit prices of such products compared with carbonated or still bottled water.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Salus Limonadas from Cía Salus SA offered in various flavours, and packaging designed to enable easy on-the-go consumption

Cía Salus SA maintained its dominant position in the bottled water category in 2019. Its position is underpinned by a wide portfolio, and increased investment in new product innovations.

Milotur SA performs well in flavoured water

Second-placed Milotur SA was recently acquired by Cía Cervecerías Unidas SA. The company owns the Nix mineral water brand, and Nativa flavoured water.

Montevideo Refrescos SA sees share gain thanks to supermarket sales

Montevideo Refrescos SA notably improved its market share with Vitale, mineral water mainly in supermarkets at a national level. This underpinned a slight value share gain for the company in the bottled water category in 2019, despite Aquarius flavoured water lowing ground against local players.

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