Market Forecast By Product Type (Still Water, Sparkling Water, Functional Water, Others), By Packaging (PET, Cans, Others), By Distribution Channel (Off-trade, On-trade) And Competitive Landscape
| Product Code: ETC6738318 | Publication Date: Sep 2024 | Updated Date: Jan 2026 | Product Type: Market Research Report | |
| Publisher: 6Wresearch | Author: Ravi Bhandari | No. of Pages: 75 | No. of Figures: 35 | No. of Tables: 20 |
According to 6Wresearch internal database and industry insights,
Below is the evaluation of the year-wise growth rate along with key drivers:
| Years | Estimated Annual Growth (%) | Growth Drivers |
| 2021 | 6.8% | Increased consumer health awareness, preference for bottled water over sugary drinks. |
| 2022 | 7.1% | Rising demand for functional water, especially in urban regions. |
| 2023 | 7.3% | Expansion of distribution networks in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. |
| 2024 | 7.5% | Government initiatives promoting water purification and environmental concerns. |
| 2025 | 7.8% | Continued growth in health-conscious consumer behavior and rising disposable income. |
The China Bottled Water Market report thoroughly covers the market by product types, packaging, and distribution channels. The report provides a detailed analysis of ongoing market trends, opportunities, high-growth areas, and market drivers that will help stakeholders align strategies according to current and future market dynamics.
| Report Name | China Bottled Water Market |
| Forecast period | 2026-2032 |
| CAGR | 8.2% |
| Growing Sector | Food and Beverage |
China bottled water industry is witnessing robust growth. The market is driven by increasing health awareness among consumers and rising spending power. There is high demand for bottled water that is rich in minerals and has boosting components. Furthermore, the industry is transforming towards eco-friendly packaging systems and reusable water bottle trends. Growing e-commerce platforms are further contributing to this industry expansion among various demographic areas. There is high demand for functional beverages with multi-flavors that enhance the product usage.
Below are some prominent drivers and their influence on the market dynamics:
| Drivers | Primary Segments Affected | Why it Matters |
| Health Awareness and Wellness Trends | By Application (Functional Water) | Rising awareness of health benefits and demand for functional water. |
| Government Initiatives for Clean Water | By Product (Still Water, Sparkling) | Policies focus on water quality, promoting purified bottled water. |
| Increased Urbanization | By Distribution Channel (On-trade) | Urban expansion drives demand for bottled water in cities. |
| Rising Disposable Incomes | By Product (Functional Water, Sparkling) | Higher disposable incomes lead to increased demand for premium water. |
| Preference for Eco-Friendly Packaging | By Packaging (PET, Cans) | Consumer shift towards eco-friendly packaging supports market growth. |
China Bottled Water Market Size is projected to grow rapidly, growing at a growth rate of (CAGR) of 8.2% during the forecast period 2026–2032. Major factors that are driving this industry expansion are rising demand of consumers for safer drinking options and increasing purchasing power of consumers. The increasing demand for premium bottled water options and emerging e-commerce platforms are further propelling China Bottled Water Market Growth. Increasing fitness trends and promoting proper hydration in the body further contribute to this industry expansion. Technological advancements are further making bottled water rich in minerals and with enhanced shelf life, thus making it a suitable choice for drinking. The rising disposable income of buyers is generating a higher need for premium water.
Below are some prominent restraints and their influence on the market dynamics:
| Restraints | Primary Segments Affected | Why it Matters |
| High Packaging Costs | By Packaging (PET, Cans) | Expensive packaging can lead to higher costs for producers and consumers. |
| Environmental Concerns | By Product (All Products) | Growing concerns about plastic waste can hinder market growth. |
| Competition from Alternatives | By Product (Tap Water, Other Drinks) | The growing demand for eco-friendly alternatives is limiting the need for bottled water. |
| Stringent Regulations on Plastic Usage | By Packaging (PET) | Strict plastic regulation could restrict production and packaging options. |
| Price Sensitivity in Emerging Markets | By Product (All Products) | Expensive prices can limit bottled water adoption in price-sensitive regions. |
Major challenges faced by the market include high competition from local and international brands and strict regulations regarding plastic bans and eco-friendly material usage adoption by consumers. Further, distribution efficiency is being hindered by high logistics costs, particularly in rural areas. Moreover, supply chains get disrupted by government regulations on groundwater extraction from areas that are water scarce. Fluctuating pricing of raw materials and changing trust level of consumers on various products also hinder the sustained revenue growth in the long run.
Below are some major trends shaping the opportunities estimated to increase market share:
Below are major investment opportunities estimated to increase market share:
Below is the list of prominent companies leading the China Bottled Water Market
| Company Name | Nestlé Waters China |
|---|---|
| Established Year | 1992 |
| Headquarters | Beijing, China |
| Website | Click Here |
Nestlé offers a broad range of bottled water products, including still, sparkling, and functional waters, with a focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility.
| Company Name | Coca-Cola China |
|---|---|
| Established Year | 1979 |
| Headquarters | Beijing, China |
| Website | Click Here |
Coca-Cola’s bottled water products like “Ice Dew” and “Minute Maid” are popular in China, with a strong emphasis on product innovation and distribution.
| Company Name | Tianjin Beverages Group |
|---|---|
| Established Year | 1998 |
| Headquarters | Tianjin, China |
| Website | - |
A leading local brand in the bottled water segment, offering a variety of still and sparkling water options for health-conscious consumers.
| Company Name | Danone Waters |
|---|---|
| Established Year | 1996 |
| Headquarters | Beijing, China |
| Website | Click Here |
Danone produces bottled waters under well-known brands like “Evian” and “Volvic,” focusing on premium and eco-friendly products for health-conscious consumers.
| Company Name | China Resources Snow Breweries |
|---|---|
| Established Year | 1994 |
| Headquarters | Beijing, China |
| Website | - |
Known for its water brands, including “C’estbon,” China Resources focuses on making affordable bottled water products available to the mass market.
According to Chinese Government Data, several regulations has been implemented that promote water purification standards and environmental sustainability in bottled water production. The China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) has formulated strict guidelines for water quality, while the Environmental Protection Law handles packaging, while encouraging the reduction of plastic waste. In addition, the government has introduced tax incentives for companies producing bottled water in eco-friendly packaging and using sustainable production methods.
China Bottled Water Market Share is anticipated to grow steadily, fueled by rising interest in healthier drinks and premium hydration options. Innovations on the horizon include blockchain-based traceability, AI-managed supply chains, and smart vending technologies in urban hubs. Increasing demand for biodegradable, plant-based packaging is set to influence brand direction. Expanding into rural and semi-urban areas through local bottling units will reduce logistics costs and carbon emissions, improving sustainability and availability for various consumers.
The report offers a comprehensive study of the subsequent market segments and their leading categories.
According to Rashika, Senior Research Analyst, 6Wresearch, still water holds the highest market share, primarily due to affordability and daily consumption patterns. This category is widely accepted across all age groups and is available in numerous local and national brands.
Among all the materials used for packaging, PET bottles take the leading position due to their advantages like cost-effectiveness, durability, and recyclability. Bottles made of PET are light in weight and thereby, transportation becomes easy and they also find acceptance very easily among the end users. Most of the leading packagers are inclined towards PET packaging owing to its use with high-speed production and less environmental impact.
Off-trade distribution is expected to dominate the market. This is primarily due to the widespread availability of bottled water in retail outlets, supermarkets, and convenience stores, where consumers frequently purchase bottled water for home use. Additionally, off-trade channels offer more convenience and accessibility for daily consumers.
The market report provides a detailed analysis of the following market segments:
| 1 Executive Summary |
| 2 Introduction |
| 2.1 Key Highlights of the Report |
| 2.2 Report Description |
| 2.3 Market Scope & Segmentation |
| 2.4 Research Methodology |
| 2.5 Assumptions |
| 3 China Bottled Water Market Overview |
| 3.1 China Country Macro Economic Indicators |
| 3.2 China Bottled Water Market Revenues & Volume, 2022 - 2032F |
| 3.3 China Bottled Water Market - Industry Life Cycle |
| 3.4 China Bottled Water Market - Porter's Five Forces |
| 3.5 China Bottled Water Market Revenues & Volume Share, By Product Type, 2022 - 2032F |
| 3.6 China Bottled Water Market Revenues & Volume Share, By Packaging, 2022 - 2032F |
| 3.7 China Bottled Water Market Revenues & Volume Share, By Distribution Channel, 2022 - 2032F |
| 4 China Bottled Water Market Dynamics |
| 4.1 Impact Analysis |
| 4.2 Market Drivers |
| 4.2.1 Increasing health awareness and concerns about water quality |
| 4.2.2 Growth in urbanization leading to higher demand for convenient and safe drinking water |
| 4.2.3 Rising disposable income and changing lifestyle preferences |
| 4.3 Market Restraints |
| 4.3.1 Environmental concerns related to plastic waste and pollution |
| 4.3.2 Regulatory challenges and stringent quality standards |
| 4.3.3 Competition from other beverages like soft drinks and juices |
| 5 China Bottled Water Market Trends |
| 6 China Bottled Water Market, By Types |
| 6.1 China Bottled Water Market, By Product Type |
| 6.1.1 Overview and Analysis |
| 6.1.2 China Bottled Water Market Revenues & Volume, By Product Type, 2022 - 2032F |
| 6.1.3 China Bottled Water Market Revenues & Volume, By Still Water, 2022 - 2032F |
| 6.1.4 China Bottled Water Market Revenues & Volume, By Sparkling Water, 2022 - 2032F |
| 6.1.5 China Bottled Water Market Revenues & Volume, By Functional Water, 2022 - 2032F |
| 6.1.6 China Bottled Water Market Revenues & Volume, By Others, 2022 - 2032F |
| 6.2 China Bottled Water Market, By Packaging |
| 6.2.1 Overview and Analysis |
| 6.2.2 China Bottled Water Market Revenues & Volume, By PET, 2022 - 2032F |
| 6.2.3 China Bottled Water Market Revenues & Volume, By Cans, 2022 - 2032F |
| 6.2.4 China Bottled Water Market Revenues & Volume, By Others, 2022 - 2032F |
| 6.3 China Bottled Water Market, By Distribution Channel |
| 6.3.1 Overview and Analysis |
| 6.3.2 China Bottled Water Market Revenues & Volume, By Off-trade, 2022 - 2032F |
| 6.3.3 China Bottled Water Market Revenues & Volume, By On-trade, 2022 - 2032F |
| 7 China Bottled Water Market Import-Export Trade Statistics |
| 7.1 China Bottled Water Market Export to Major Countries |
| 7.2 China Bottled Water Market Imports from Major Countries |
| 8 China Bottled Water Market Key Performance Indicators |
| 8.1 Consumer perception and trust in bottled water brands |
| 8.2 Adoption rate of sustainable packaging solutions |
| 8.3 Investment in research and development for product innovation |
| 8.4 Consumer preferences towards flavored or functional bottled water products |
| 8.5 Market penetration in rural areas and lower-tier cities |
| 9 China Bottled Water Market - Opportunity Assessment |
| 9.1 China Bottled Water Market Opportunity Assessment, By Product Type, 2022 - 2032F |
| 9.2 China Bottled Water Market Opportunity Assessment, By Packaging, 2022 - 2032F |
| 9.3 China Bottled Water Market Opportunity Assessment, By Distribution Channel, 2022 - 2032F |
| 10 China Bottled Water Market - Competitive Landscape |
| 10.1 China Bottled Water Market Revenue Share, By Companies, 2025 |
| 10.2 China Bottled Water Market Competitive Benchmarking, By Operating and Technical Parameters |
| 11 Company Profiles |
| 12 Recommendations |
| 13 Disclaimer |
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