Beverage in Chile – Consumption Trends Analysis¶
Behavior Change Signals¶
The synthesis of “Current Behavior Changes Analysis”, “Emerging Consumption Needs Analysis”, and the underlying Value Chain Report reveals six powerful behavior-change signals that are already reshaping the Chilean beverage market. Each signal is backed by multiple data points, shows clear momentum, and triggers concrete responses across every step of the value chain.
1 Health-First Formulations¶
• Drivers
– 21 % fall in sugary-drink volumes after the 2014 sugar tax (Escuela de Salud Pública UCH, 2018).
– Accelerating preference for “better-for-you” drinks (El Mostrador, 2021).
• Manifestations
– Reformulation of legacy SKUs with less sugar, stevia or monk-fruit sweeteners.
– Surge in vitamin‐fortified waters, kombuchas, and probiotic juices.
• Value-Chain Impact
Raw Materials Higher demand for natural sweeteners, botanicals, nutraceuticals.
Production New R&D lines; investment in aseptic and small-batch capability.
Distribution More SKUs → fragmented loads; chilled chain for functional drinks.
Retail Dedicated “saludable” gondolas and online filters for low-sugar items.
2 Low/No-Alcohol & Moderation¶
• Drivers
– Pure-alcohol intake down to 6.8 L per-capita (Aprocor, 2024).
– Non-alcoholic beer already 1.4 % of Chilean beer volumes (Emol, 2023).
• Manifestations
– Breweries launching 0.0 % lagers, radlers; wineries promoting dealcoholised wines.
– Craft spirits brands experimenting with <20 % ABV aperitifs.
• Value-Chain Impact
Agriculture Barley and hop contracts shift to premium aromatic varieties.
Production Need for vacuum distillation / reverse-osmosis dealcoholisation.
Logistics On-premise distributors adjust cooler assortment for “cero”.
Marketing Regulatory-compliant communication (no health claims, low ABV).
3 Premiumisation & Craft Authenticity¶
• Drivers
– 88 % beer volume growth since 2005, led by craft (T13, 2024).
– Consumers willing to pay more for origin, story, and flavour depth.
• Manifestations
– Double-digit CAGR for craft beer, single-vineyard wines, cold-pressed juices.
– Specialty coffee RTDs, barrel-aged kombuchas.
• Value-Chain Impact
Finance SME brewers seek co-packing and crowdfunding to scale.
Packaging Short-run can printing, embossed glass.
Retail Placement in gourmet aisles, food-pairing activations in horeca.
Digital Direct-to-consumer (D2C) subscriptions for discovery boxes.
4 Eco-Conscious Purchasing¶
• Drivers
– Extended-Producer-Responsibility (EPR) law mandates recycled content.
– Rising PET/aluminium prices + consumer guilt over single-use waste.
• Manifestations
– Switch to rPET bottles, tethered caps, lightweight cans.
– Pilots of refill and returnable glass schemes.
• Value-Chain Impact
Raw Materials Sourcing of food-grade rPET, bio-based polymers.
Production Capex in bottle-to-bottle recycling, water-reuse loops.
Distribution Reverse-logistics layer for empties; hybrid fleets (Iveco Tector NG).
Retail Shelf-edge eco-scores; loyalty incentives for bottle returns.
5 Omnichannel & Last-Mile Convenience¶
• Drivers
– Online food-and-beverage share in Santiago ~5 % and climbing.
– Rapid e-commerce adoption during and after the pandemic; Rappi & Cornershop mainstream.
• Manifestations
– “30-minute beer” dark-store models; QR-code re-ordering.
– Convenience chains (OK Market, upa!, Big John) opening >10 % new stores p.a.
• Value-Chain Impact
Demand Planning Real-time POS data → micro-batch production.
Warehousing Urban micro-fulfilment, multi-temperature zones.
Route-to-Market Smaller, more frequent drops; crowdsourced riders.
Packaging Shift to single-serve formats and insulated e-commerce packs.
6 Functionality & Performance Boost¶
• Drivers
– Wellness lifestyle and sports participation rates rising.
– Global energy-drink culture influencing Gen Z.
• Manifestations
– Electrolyte waters, collagen teas, CBD seltzers (pending regulation).
– Caffeine-plus-L-theanine “focus” beverages for gamers and students.
• Value-Chain Impact
Ingredient Supply Spike in demand for adaptogens, amino acids.
Regulatory Stricter labelling; novel-ingredient approvals queue.
Marketing Science-backed claims, influencer-led education.
Horeca Gyms, coworking spaces become key outlets.
Summary Table of Key Findings¶
| # | Behavior Change Signal | Core Evidence | Main Consumer Need | Critical Value-Chain Adjustments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Health-First Formulations | 21 % drop in sugary-drink volumes; media on “sin azúcar” boom | Lower sugar, natural, functional | Alternative sweeteners sourcing; flexible, aseptic production; chilled distribution; “saludable” merchandising |
| 2 | Low/No-Alcohol & Moderation | Alcohol intake ↓; 0.0 % beer share ↑ | Social drinking without intoxication | Dealcoholisation tech; premium barley/hops; revised horeca assortment; compliant marketing |
| 3 | Premiumisation & Craft | 88 % beer output growth; demand for authenticity | Taste exploration, status | Small-batch co-packing; bespoke packaging; gourmet retail placement; D2C clubs |
| 4 | Eco-Conscious Purchasing | EPR law; PET price pressure | Reduce environmental footprint | rPET procurement; bottle-to-bottle lines; reverse logistics; eco-labelling |
| 5 | Omnichannel Convenience | Online F&B ≥5 % sales; C-store boom | Anytime, anywhere access | Micro-fulfilment hubs; agile routing; single-serve SKUs; app integration |
| 6 | Functionality & Performance | Growth of energy/functional drinks | Targeted health or mood benefits | Novel ingredients pipeline; regulatory navigation; influencer education; gym / coworking channel focus |
Collectively, these six signals demand end-to-end agility. Suppliers must diversify ingredient portfolios; producers require modular plants; logistics partners need data-driven fleets; retailers must curate across physical and digital touch-points; and brands must communicate transparency, wellness, and sustainability.
References¶
• Aprocor. (2024, July 24). “Chile es el tercer país de la OCDE que más disminuyó su consumo de alcohol”. https://aprocor.cl/chile-es-el-tercer-pais-de-la-ocde-que-mas-disminuyo-su-consumo-de-alcohol-en-la-ultima-decada/
• El Mostrador. (2021, December 7). “El mercado de bebidas sin alcohol sigue creciendo…”. https://www.elmostrador.cl/generacion-elastica/negocios/2021/12/07/el-mercado-de-bebidas-sin-alcohol-sigue-creciendo-y-se-posiciona-como-una-nueva-tendencia/
• Emol. (2023, July 8). “La ‘embestida’ de los tragos sin alcohol”. https://m.emol.com/noticias/Economia/2023/07/08/1099840/tragos-sin-alcohol-tendencia-cero.html
• Escuela de Salud Pública UCH. (2018, July 4). “Consumo de bebidas azucaradas disminuyó 21 % tras impuesto”. https://www.saludpublica.uchile.cl/noticias/146440/consumo-de-bebidas-azucaradas-disminuyo-21-tras-impuesto
• RedBakery. (2022, April 8). “Tiendas de Conveniencia: ¡crecimiento explosivo!” https://redbakery.cl/tiendas-de-conveniencia-crecimiento-explosivo/
• T13. (2024, July 30). “Chilenos beben 57 L de cerveza al año: consumo aumentó casi un 90 % en 18 años”. https://www.t13.cl/noticia/tendencias/chilenos-beben-57-litros-cerveza-ano-consumo-aumento-casi-90-18-anos-30-7-2024
• Value Chain Report on the Beverage Industry in Chile (2025).