Non-Dairy Beverages

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As consumers turn to products with less sugar, some traditional beverage categories have seen the effects. The $16.6 billion juice sector is not immune.

MKP Products LLC, Springfield, Va., now offers a line of ready-to-drink (RTD) wellness teas called Role Tea.

Numi Organic Tea, Oakland, Calif., and Smucker Natural Foods, Chico, Calif., unveiled a premium RTD organic tea line featuring five flavors: black lemon, Jasmine green, classic mint, aged Earl Grey and hibiscus red.

KeVita, Oxnard, Calif., expanded its Master Brew Kombucha line of kombucha teas with two new flavors: Roots Beer and blueberry basil.

Lavender Pond Farm, Killingworth, Conn., introduced small-batch gourmet lemonade infused with farm-fresh lavender and sweetened with organic raw honey.

The past year has brought good news to some nondairy beverage segments. For example, the cappuccino/iced coffee subcategory saw a 12.1% rise in dollar sales, reaching more than $2 billion, according to data from Chicago-based market research firm Information Resources Inc. (IRI) for the 52 weeks ending Aug. 13, 2017. Unit sales increased by 11.8% to 686.6 million.

As noted in the nondairy beverage article in our May issue, consumers are seeking functional and no-sugar-added options for beverages — and some juice segments are taking a hit in sales because of it. Sales are down in orange, apple and juice/drink smoothies segments, but ticking up in refrigerated lemonade, fruit drinks and vegetable juice blends.

Los Angeles-based Califia Farms launched Black Label Cold Brew, a new line of ready-to-drink, all black, cold brew coffees.

Numi Organic Tea, San Francisco, the organic and Fair Trade dry tea brand, introduced a line of ready-to-drink teas in five flavors.

Sunup Inc., New York, introduced a new ready-to-drink coffee — Sunup Green Coffee.