He bottled water consumption it shot up sharply in the last two weeks, and daily sales tripled, after the increase in salinity in the water distributed by OSE in Montevideo and the metropolitan area.
Water has more and more weight among all the drinks consumed in Uruguay. The latest annual figures show that the consumption of this product grew again after three consecutive years in which it had fallen. In 2022 the consumption of mineral water and sodas totaled 332.7 million, which is equivalent to 4 million more in the year-on-year comparison (+1.2%).
This is shown by the physical volume data sold in the local market and declared by manufacturers before the General Tax Directorate (DGI)for the determination of the Internal Specific Tax (Imesi).
In Uruguay there are some 60 companies that sell bottled water. Among them, three large ones stand out, such as the French multinational Danone (Salus water), the Chilean Compañía Cervecerías Unidas (Nativa water), and Coca Cola (Vitale water), which have approximately 70% of the market.
The volumes of water consumption are much higher than a decade ago. Between 2011 and 2018 the growth was constant, and it went from about 220 million liters per year to 360 million liters, according to DGI data.
A possible explanation goes through the changes in the consumption habits of the population in favor of healthier products. We must also take into account the problems that have occurred with OSE’s drinking water and that in recent times have been more frequent. In many homes, this water has stopped being consumed and has been replaced with bottled water.
Cola drinks and soft drinks
Consumption of cola and soft drinks it also grew last year and for the second consecutive year, but more moderately than in 2021, and totaled 298.8 million liters (+2.6% year-on-year).
After a peak registered in 2014 (338 million liters), that item had fallen for five consecutive years, and hit a floor in 2020 during the first year of the pandemic with only 282 million liters.
On the other hand, juice-based drinks, which had been the only ones that had increased in consumption during the first year of the pandemic, fell for the second consecutive year. In 2022 the drop was 1.5%, and consumption stood at 207 million liters. In this category are drinks with a minimum of 10% fruit juice, or 5% if it is lemon, according to the classification made by DGI.
less beer
beer consumption it had rebounded in 2021, and with this it had recovered levels similar to what it had in 2019, after the figures dropped when in 2020 the pandemic forced the closure of bars, and the cancellation of parties and shows.
In the past year, consumption was 101.2 million liters, and fell 1.3% year-on-year. The record for this product dates from 2018 when 108 million liters were reached.
The DGI figures also show that the imported beer It doesn’t stop gaining space. Last year it reached 37.2 million liters and increased for the third consecutive year, with a participation of almost 37% of the total, according to data processed by The Observer. That is to say, almost four out of every ten liters tasted came from abroad. Meanwhile, the participation of national product was 64 million liters.
wine consumption
The wine it had been the great star of the pandemic when its consumption skyrocketed and exceeded 72 million liters. This goes hand in hand with the sanitary restrictions that made people spend more time at home.
Already in 2021 a first decrease had been noticed, which was accentuated last year, with 64 million liters of wine consumed (-9.8% year-on-year), according to data from the National Institute of Viticulture. This consumption figure is closer to the records of the second half of the last decade, and to that of the year prior to the arrival of covid-19.
less domestic whiskey
For the case of whiskeylast year taxes were paid for 4.2 million liters and the declared volume was slightly lower than in 2021. Nine out of every ten liters sold were imported beverages.
