Decline in Soda Consumption Accelerates

Just as I’m jumping on the soda bandwagon comes word that Americans are buying less soda, with volume sales their lowest since 1995. 

In an Associated Press story posted on abc.com, Beverage Digest reports that carbonated drink sales in the US fell by over 3% last year, double the rate from the year before.  Oh, and if you don’t know what I meant by my jumping on the bandwagon, I’ve had this insatiable craving for root beer the last couple of weeks that just won’t go away; no brand of root beer, however, made the top ten of most popular soda by sales (but Fanta (?) did).

Among all beverages, carbonated drinks still represent the largest category, but energy drinks, flavored water, and healthier alternatives have been grabbing market share.  Of course, before you feel too bad for the soda companies, you need to realize that they own some of these alternatives; according to their website, Coca-cola owns, Dasani and Evian waters, Fruitopia, Monster energy drink(distribution rights), Minute Maid, and Powerade, among many others.  The top ten sodas in the U.S. last year were:

1.) Coke
2.) Diet Coke
3.) Pepsi
4.) Mountain Dew
5.) Dr. Pepper
6.) Sprite
7.) Diet Pepsi
8.) Diet Mountain Dew
9.) Fanta
10.) Coke Zero