Drinking and Mineral Water (Russian Market)

History

2024

Increase in annual imports of drinking and mineral water by 12.4% to 150 million liters, exports - by 18.4%

Russia in 2024 increased imports of drinking and mineral water by 12.4%, to 150 million liters, and exports increased by 18.4%. The volume of the bottled water market in the country increased by 11.4% compared to 2023. Such data are contained in a study published by NeoAnalytics in May 2025.

Domestic production of bottled water increased by 11.3% over the year. In the structure of the production market, the share of mineral water is 45.8%, drinking water, including carbonated water, accounts for 54.2%. The share of imports in the market structure is insignificant and amounts to no more than 1.4%.

Russia Bottled water is imported into the expensive price segment. The leading suppliers of packaged water to the country are Georgia and. Italy Positive dynamics in 2024 was noted in all three key segments: production and export-import supplies.

In the previous 2023, domestic output and imports were the growth driver. Two years ago, stagnation was noted in domestic production and negative dynamics in export-import supplies. The Russian market as a whole is showing a positive development trend.

The total volume of the bottled water market in Russia in 2021 amounted to more than 5 billion liters, an increase of 11.8%. For the period from 2017 to 2021, the indicator of the total average annual growth rate was at the level of 36.36%. In 2022, the market grew by 15.7%, and its volume approached 6 billion liters.

Most of the products on the market are domestically produced water. In 2022, domestic production was more than 9 billion liters, and imports - about 300 million liters. The volume of water production in Russia is growing annually. Since 2010, output has increased by an average of 6% annually.

Imported products do not have a significant impact on the Russian mineral and drinking water market. The volume of production is more than 30 times the volume of imports. According to data for 2021, the volume of imported supplies of water without additives to Russia was about 263 million liters.^[1]

19.5% increase in bottled water sales to ₽663,8 billion

In April 2025, the analytical company Gidmarket published data according to which the volume of bottled water consumption in Russia in 2024 reached ₽663,83 billion, which is 19.5% more than in 2023. This result was a new historical maximum for the Russian bottled water market.

According to Gidmarket, over the past five years (from 2020 to 2024), the volume of bottled water consumption in monetary terms has increased by 68%, which indicates the formation of a new consumption culture, in the center of which are health, safety and conscious attitude to the quality of drinking water.

Market dynamics during the analyzed period showed multidirectional trends. In 2020, the volume of bottled water consumption amounted to ₽394,52 billion, with an increase of 13.8% compared to the previous 2019. Experts attribute this to an increase in demand for healthy alternatives to sugary drinks and increased attention to the quality of drinking water.

In 2021, the growth rate slowed down: the volume reached ₽445,95 billion, an increase of 13%. Analysts attribute this to the stabilization of consumer behavior after the rush demand during the pandemic, when there was a massive increase in the supply of bottled water.

In 2022, there was a decline in the market: the volume decreased to ₽399,95 billion, which corresponds to a drop of 10.3% compared to 2021. Among the factors of decline are an increase in inflationary pressure, a decrease in real incomes of the population and a partial shift in consumer preferences towards water from filters and local water purification systems.

The active recovery of the market occurred in 2023, when the volume of consumption amounted to ₽555,48 billion with a record growth of 38.9%. This jump was due to the redistribution of demand in favor of safe sources of drinking water and the expansion of the range of products, including premium brands and water with functional additives.

Experts call the main reasons for the increase in demand in 2024 the growing interest of Russians in a healthy lifestyle, the development of domestic tourism, increased awareness of the risks associated with low-quality water, as well as an increase in the variety of products - from mineral water to specialized children's water.^[2]

Drinking water production in Russia increased by 9% over the year and reached 13.4 billion liters

In 2024, the volume of drinking water production in Russia increased by 9%, reaching 13.4 billion liters. This was announced in mid-February 2025 by the analytical company BusinesStat. According to the study, from 2020 to 2024, the volume of output of mineral and drinking water increased by 31%.

According to BusinesStat, in 2020 production was 10.3 billion liters. In 2021, the volume increased by 8% and reached 11.1 billion liters. In 2022, the growth rate slowed, and production amounted to 11.3 billion liters. In 2023, the market again showed active growth of 9%, which allowed to reach 12.4 billion liters. In 2024, production reached a record high of 13.4 billion liters.

According to analysts, one of the growth factors was the introduction of mandatory digital labeling of DataMatrix products. The implementation process took place in several stages: from December 2021, labeling became mandatory for mineral water, from March 2022 - for other categories of drinking water. In November 2022, electronic document management was introduced, which made it possible to withdraw a significant amount of products from illegal circulation.

Experts note that the increase in production is also associated with a change in consumer habits. According to the study, Russians began to choose bottled water more often, focusing on a healthier lifestyle. An additional factor in the growth was the deterioration of water intake and water supply systems, which increased the demand for industrial drinking water.

The BusinesStat report indicated that in 2022, the market experienced difficulties caused by sanctions restrictions. Manufacturers faced a shortage of equipment for pouring water into glass containers, as well as a lack of materials for packaging. That slowed production growth, which was just 2% for the year.^[3]

Mineral water production for the year increased by 11.3% to 23.5 billion half-liters

According to the results of 2024, the volume of production of natural mineral and drinking water in packaging increased by 11.3%, to 23.5 billion half-liters, in December - by 8.4%, to 1.8 billion half-liters. This is evidenced by data Rosstat published in February 2025.

Water produced in the country is classified according to sources of water intake and production technologies. The largest volume is in natural water produced from specific sources or wells, with minimal treatment. Thus, natural waters accounted for about 65% of the total production, of which 29.7% were mineral waters, and 35.2% were drinking water.

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Фото: Freepik

Among the factors that influenced the growth of the bottled water market, experts highlight the departure of the largest foreign brands in 2022. This situation has created opportunities for domestic producers to expand their presence in the market, increase the range of products and enter new markets. In the context of competition that arose after the departure of foreign companies, Russian manufacturers were able to significantly increase their share, including due to the elimination of counterfeits and counterfeit products from the market.

According to Yulia Kuzmina, head of the excise-free food products department of the Center for the Development of Advanced Technologies (CRPT), the introduction of labeling in the water market has led to a significant increase in the number of official producers. As a result of the labeling, 460 new manufacturers entered the market, which had not previously reported to government agencies. This accounted for more than a quarter of the entire water market. For example, in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, after the introduction of labeling, nine new manufacturers came out of the shadow economy, in the Republic of Crimea - 12, and in the Kursk region - three.^[4]

2023

Growth in the volume of the Russian mineral and drinking water market by 8% to 12.42 billion liters

At the end of 2023, sales of mineral and drinking water in Russia reached 12.42 billion liters. This is 8.2% more compared to 2022, when the volume of sales was estimated at 11.48 billion liters. Such data are given in the BusinesStat study, the results of which were published in early December 2024.

The review takes into account mineral canteens, medical canteens and medical waters, as well as drinking still, carbonated and treated waters. Among the significant market players are named "Archa," "Wimm-Bill-Dann," "Vologda Dairy Plant," LVZ "Saransky," MPBK "Ochakovo," "Multon Partners," "Pepsiko Holdings," PC "Aqualife," Firm "Agrocomplex" named after N. I. Tkacheva and others

According to estimates, in 2019, 10.23 billion liters of these products were sold on the Russian market. A year later, the figure increased by 1.9%, reaching 10.43 billion liters. In 2021, an increase of 7.1% was recorded with a final result of 11.17 billion liters, and in 2022 the increase was 2.8%.

Stable positive dynamics, as noted, supports the trend towards environmental friendliness and a healthy lifestyle. Consumers have become more demanding on the quality of water and its composition. In addition, the demand for mineral and drinking water from the tourism and health sectors is increasing. As the low quality of tap water persists, with the complete purification of which purchased filters do not always cope, the demand for clean water is growing. The provision of bottled drinking water is part of the "basic" service in many service areas - from hotel service to transport. Urbanization, the development of online trading and delivery channels also contribute to growth. In general, during 2019-2023. sales of these products in Russia rose by 21.4%.^[5]

Production of bottled water in Russia for the year increased by 58% to 670 million liters

The production of bottled water in Russia in 2023 increased by 58%, reaching a five-year high. This became known at the end of spring 2024. According to the state marking system "Honest Sign," 670 million liters of water were produced in January 2023, and in May 2023 this figure was already 1 billion liters.

According to Izvestia, the bulk of the produced water was still drinking water, which accounts for 65% of the total production. Carbonated mineral water accounted for 18%, carbonated drinking water for 10% and non-carbonated mineral water for 7%. In general, the production of bottled water in Russia in 2023 reached 10.5 billion liters, which is 16.4% more than in the previous year.

According to the Center for the Development of Advanced Technologies (CRPT), the operator of the Honest Sign system, from March to May 2023, water consumption in federal districts of Russia increased by an average of 36%. A significant increase in sales of products was observed in the Volga Federal District (+ 46%), the Ural Federal District (+ 41%) and the Far Eastern Federal District (+ 37%).

The largest volume of mineral and drinking water production was formed by the Central Federal District, which produced 32.2% of the total. In the segment of mineral natural water, the North Caucasus Federal District leads with a share of 44.2%, while in the segment of treated water the Central Federal District occupies 46.6%.

According to Yulia Kuzmina, head of the excise-free food department of the CRPT, the growth in the consumption of bottled water in Russia is the result of the withdrawal of foreign producers from the market, which allowed local companies to increase production and expand the sales market.

Natural waters forming the basis of the market account for 64.1% in physical terms at the end of 2023. Mineral natural waters (canteens, medical canteens and medical) make up 30.3% of the production volume, and natural drinking water (non-mineral) - 33.8%.^[6]

Production of filters for drinking water began to grow again in Russia

In 2023 Russia , about 95.8 million filters for drinking water were produced, which is 3.7% more than the previous year, when a decline was recorded. The industry began to recover, according to the BusinesStat review published on February 9, 2024. More. here

Bottled Water Market Growth of 38.9%

In 2023, the volume of the Russian bottled water (drinking and mineral) market increased by 38.9% compared to the previous year. At the same time, domestic production rose by 14.5%. Such data are given in a study by NeoAnalytics, the results of which are presented on March 22, 2024.

The report says that in 2023, the export of bottled water from the Russian Federation amounted to more than 150 million liters, which is 89.9% less than in 2022. The main consumers were Mongolia and. Azerbaijan The share of imports in the structure of the Russian market is about 1.3%. In 2023, a little more than 140 million liters were imported: the increase in relation to 2022 is estimated at 11.4%. Russia Bottled water is imported primarily in the upper price segment, and the leading suppliers are and. Georgia Italy

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Фото: NeoAnalytics

In 2023, the level of consumption of bottled water in Russia is about 45.7 liters per person per year. For comparison: in Europe as a whole, this figure exceeds 100 liters. In the structure of the bottled water production market in the Russian Federation, the share of mineral water is 47.5%. Drinking water, including carbonated water, accounts for 52.5%.

The development of the Russian drinking and mineral water industry is facilitated by the current geopolitical situation, due to which the largest foreign brands left the Russian Federation. Domestic manufacturers used this opportunity to expand the sales market, enter new regions and increase the range of products. As of 2023, the volume of domestic output significantly exceeds the volume of imported supplies. Almost all manufactured products go to the domestic market.

The largest volume of production in Russia, as noted by AnalyticResearchGroup, falls on natural waters. This means that the water is extracted from a particular source or well and treated by methods that do not alter the content and ratio of cations, anions and biologically active components in its composition. Another category is treated drinking water from any source, the preparation of which uses acceptable technologies such as filtration, antimicrobial treatment, ozonation, etc.^[7]

Notes