UK smoothie sales on the increase
Britons knocked back 34 million litres of smoothies last year worth £134m in total, according to new research.
A new report by analyst Mintel reveals sales of the fruit drinks increased by 523% between 2001 and 2006 up from 6.3 million litres.
Functional smoothies, with added ingredients like ginseng and echinacea, topped the growth table, with a rise in sales of 2,350% since 2001. This propelled the value of the sub-sector to £15m, around 11% of the total value of the smoothie market.
Despite this huge growth, only 31% of adults currently buy smoothies, which according to Mintel means a large, untapped market remains.
Mintel predicts sales by volume will treble by 2011, reaching almost 100 million litres.
Vivianne Thekweazu, senior market analyst at Mintel, explained that the growth is understandable given today's focus on healthy living.
"With UK consumers becoming increasingly health-conscious and in light of growing concerns about obesity in adults and children, the smoothie market is set to see significant future growth," she said.
Busy teenagers and those aged 25-34 are most likely to buy smoothies.
By Alex Blakelock
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