Chile’s Thirst For Bottled Water Grows

Chile’s consumption of bottled water grew by over 25 percent last year, according to the market consultants Latin Panel.

Experts say the bottled water market is no longer the simple and boring place it once was. New brands are emerging, low prices make it competitive, and a string of new additives are giving customers a much wider selection.

Among the many variations of bottled water on the shelves today are: mineral enriched, vitamin enriched, purified water, sodium free water, natural flavourings, sucrose enriched and added antioxidants.

“One needs to remember that only a few years ago there was only plain water on the market,” says Latin Panel’s Alejandro Moya. “Now, the market is evolving into a more competitive place and orientated to the specific needs of each customer.”

Aguas del Sur this week is releasing new flavors for their Benedictino label, Basic is releasing an Aloe Vera enriched water, Coca Cola-owned Dasani is releasing a mineral and antioxidant enriched lable, and Next is releasing more flavors to their product range.

“In 2004, nobody bought flavored water,” says Moya. “Last year, 56 percent of the homes in Chile bought flavoured water at least once. In terms of consumption, 2006 saw a 20 percent increase in flavored water consumption over 2005.”

“We are tapping into the current drive for healthy living” says Diego Acevedo, vice-president of Soprole who own the Next water line. “Our range of products offers more to the consumer than simple hydration.”

Still, nutritionists warn that despite the healthy image of bottled water, many of the additives found in product ranges are sugar or sweetener-based, and may not be much better for you than a soda.

Source: EL MERCURIO