There are several categories in the beverage industry, and you need to check which type suits your product the best. Finding the correct beverage category will help you to conduct the proper research and analyse your competition. Try and ensure that your product fits into one of the existing categories.
The main beverage categories:
- Beer & Flavoured Malt Beverages
- Carbonated Soft Drinks
- CBD & Hemp Beverages
- Coffee & Tea
- Energy Drinks
- Flavoured & Functional Waters
- Functional Beverages & Supplements
- Hard Seltzer Water & Sodas
- Juices
- Ready-to-Drink Cocktails & Wine
- Sports Drinks
- Spirits & Distilled Liquors
Once you have decided and feel confident about your chosen product category, it is time to focus on its packaging, another crucial step in setting up your beverage business!
Packaging options:
- Disposable / Returnable PET Bottles
- Disposable / Returnable Glass Bottles
- Aluminium / Steel Can
- Multilayer composite carton packaging
- HDPE Bottles
Remember that PET and plastic packaging is banned in some countries when deciding on your packaging. Also, many people think negatively about using plastics because it harms the environment. You should opt for eco-friendly and recyclable material for your packaging needs, as it will work in your favour.
Another critical factor to remember is ensuring that you know the regulations, laws and taxes applicable in the country where you plan to set up your business. Every country charges different tax amounts on different types of packaging to protect the environment. The best way to excel in this area is to contact a local expert aware of all the applicable rules and charges.
Regarding eco-friendly packaging choices, aluminium cans and returnable glass bottles are the most preferred options. It is worth considering that most factories produce aluminium cans with higher MOQ, usually starting with 250,000 cans in each batch; however, glass bottles have lesser MOQ and can be filled in smaller batches.
Some other significant variables which will affect your choice of packaging:
- The formula and ingredients you use in your drink
- Carbonation amount
- Shelf life
- Shipping and storage conditions
- Minimum order of each batch you order
As you can see, choosing the right category and packaging for your new beverage is a complex decision. You must consider many factors, but taking the time to research and think ahead of your product’s life cycle will undoubtedly be worth all your efforts at this planning stage.
