Beverage in Mexico Current Demand Behavior Analysis¶
Demand Behavior¶
The demand behavior in the Mexican beverage industry is driven by both individual consumers (Business-to-Consumer - B2C) and business customers (Business-to-Business - B2B). Based on the provided reports, the market exhibits high consumption volumes and dynamic shifts across various segments and channels.
Detailed report on the number of individual and business consumers:
Individual Consumers (B2C): Individual consumers are the ultimate purchasers of beverages for personal consumption. Mexico is characterized by a large population with a high per capita consumption of certain beverage types, notably soft drinks (including bulk water) and beer. These consumers purchase beverages through various channels, including supermarkets, convenience stores, small neighborhood grocery stores ('tienditas'), specialized beverage stores, restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, and online platforms. The purchasing decisions of individual consumers are influenced by factors such as price, brand loyalty, convenience, product availability, and promotions. There is an observed trend of evolving consumer preferences towards healthier options (e.g., lower sugar), functional beverages, and craft products. While a specific total number of individual consumers isn't provided, the total consumption volume estimated at 25 billion liters in Q3 2024 indicates a massive individual consumer base driving this demand. The prevalence of convenience stores like OXXO and small grocers ('tienditas') highlights the widespread access points for individual consumers across diverse locations and socio-economic groups.
Business Consumers (B2B): Business consumers are entities that purchase beverages for resale or use in their operations. These primarily include retailers and on-premise establishments, acting as intermediaries to the final individual consumer. * Off-Premise Retailers: This is a significant segment of business consumers, encompassing large supermarket and hypermarket chains (e.g., Walmart Mexico, Soriana), a vast network of convenience stores (OXXO), smaller independent grocery stores, specialized liquor stores, warehouse clubs, and discount stores (Tiendas 3B, Aurrera). These businesses purchase in varying volumes, from bulk purchases by large chains to smaller, more frequent orders by convenience stores and 'tienditas'. * On-Premise Establishments: This category includes restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, nightclubs, and event venues. They purchase beverages for consumption on their premises. The number and size of these establishments vary widely, from large hotels and restaurant chains to numerous small, independent bars and cafes. This segment is crucial for brand visibility and generates higher margins per serving. * E-commerce Platforms and Retailer Websites: Online marketplaces (Amazon Mexico, Mercado Libre Mexico) and the e-commerce operations of traditional retailers represent a growing segment of business consumers purchasing inventory for online sale and delivery.
Quantifying the exact number of business consumers (retailers, restaurants, etc.) is not possible from the provided text, but the description of the retail landscape indicates a highly fragmented market with a large number of small independent businesses alongside major national chains. The sheer volume of beverage distribution networks required by major players like Coca-Cola FEMSA, Arca Continental, Heineken Mexico, Grupo Modelo, and GEPP underscores the vast number of business customers they serve across the country. [See Detailed Profiles Section]
Table showing the growth/decline in the number of customers:
While precise year-over-year changes in the number of individual or business customers are not explicitly provided, the reports offer insights into market volume growth and channel development, from which trends in customer base can be inferred.
| Customer Segment | Growth/Decline Trend (Inferred from market volume & channel data) | Supporting Information |
|---|---|---|
| Individual Consumers | Growing Overall (in terms of consumption) | Total consumption volume estimated at 25 BL in Q3 2024. Growth projected in several key beverage categories. |
| Business Consumers: | ||
| Off-Premise Retailers | Stable/Slightly Growing (Modern Trade & Convenience), Stable/Potentially Declining (Traditional) | Modern trade (supermarkets, etc.) and convenience stores (like OXXO) remain critical and widespread channels. Traditional 'tienditas' remain significant but face competitive pressures. |
| On-Premise Establishments | Growing (Post-pandemic recovery & RTD growth) | Alcoholic beverages market value growing, with at-home consumption significant but on-premise important for brand building. RTD market with high projected CAGR often consumed on-premise. |
| E-commerce Platforms | Significantly Growing | E-commerce for beverages experiencing strong growth. Reflects increasing digital adoption by consumers and businesses. |
Evaluation of the growth or decline in the number of customers:
Based on the available data, the overall demand for beverages in Mexico, driven by both individual and business consumers, appears to be growing in terms of volume and market value. The total consumption volume estimate for Q3 2024 is substantial. Several key beverage categories are projected for continued growth, including carbonated soft drinks (CAGR ~6.4%, 2025-30), alcoholic beverages (CAGR 2.37%, 2025-33), and particularly RTD alcoholic beverages (CAGR ~8.4%, 2025-35). This indicates an expanding market base and likely an increasing number of purchasing instances by individual consumers.
For business consumers, the picture is more nuanced by channel. The number of modern retail outlets (supermarkets, hypermarkets, convenience stores) remains high and these channels are critical for volume sales, suggesting a stable or slightly growing number of these key business customers. While the total number of traditional small grocers ('tienditas') is vast, this segment may face competitive pressures from larger formats, potentially leading to a stable or slowly declining number, although they remain crucially important for reach. The on-premise segment, impacted by past events, is likely seeing a recovery and potential growth in the number of active establishments as social activities return. Crucially, the e-commerce channel is experiencing significant growth, indicating a clear increase in the number of online platforms and retailers actively selling beverages, as well as a growing number of individual consumers utilizing these platforms for purchases.
In summary, while the precise count of individual and business customers is not available, the strong market volumes, projected category growth, and the rapid expansion of the e-commerce channel all point towards an overall growing demand for beverages in Mexico, suggesting an increase in the total number of customer interactions and potentially the overall customer base across the value chain.
References¶
- Mexico Beverages Consumption Trends and Forecasts Tracker, Q3 2024 - GlobalData.
- Dairy Products and Alternatives in Mexico | Market Research Report | Euromonitor.
- Mexico RTD Alcoholic Beverages Market Size, Share, Trends, 2035.
- Mexico Hot drinks Market Size by Categories, Distribution Channel, Market Share and Forecast, 2021-2026 - GlobalData.
- Mexico Functional Beverage Market Overview, 2030 - Bonafide Research.
- Soft Drinks in Mexico | Market Research Report | Euromonitor.
- Mexico E-commerce Market Analysis | Growth Forecast, Size & Industry Report Insights.
- Mexico Alcoholic Beverages Market 2033 - IMARC Group.
- Beer in Mexico - Wikipedia.
- Mexico Retail Sector Market Competitive Analysis, Share, Forecast to 2030.
- Mexico Retail Market Size, Share, Trends and Forecast 2033 - IMARC Group.
- Country Profile: The Guide to Ecommerce in Mexico.
- Mexico Soft Drinks Market 2025 - StrategyHelix.