Coffee Substitute Market Expected to Reach $1.9 Billion by 2032—Allied Market Research

According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, “Coffee Substitute Market," The coffee substitute market was valued at $1.3 billion in 2022, and is estimated to reach $1.9 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2023 to 2032.

Coffee substitutes are alternative beverages options used in place of conventional coffee. These substitutes serve various purposes, including health considerations, personal preferences, or environmental consciousness. The key players in the market such as Teeccino, Dandy Blend, Postum, Ayurvedic Roast, among others utilize a range of ingredients such as grains, roots, herbs, or other plant-based materials, which possess certain herbal and nutritional values. Their main goal is to replicate the coffee flavor to various extents, providing a drinking experience without the need for coffee beans. Certain coffee substitutes are devoid of caffeine, catering to individuals seeking to avoid caffeine consumption.

The widespread availability of coffee substitutes in the market has drawn significant attention due to the growing internet penetration and the entry of new players offering a diverse range of coffee substitute products. Many industry participants have established their own online platforms, enabling global product distribution and access to a vast customer base, thereby driving the coffee substitute market share. The continuous improvement of global internet infrastructure has resulted in a growing number of individuals gaining online shopping access, which, in turn, provides consumers with a range of information, including ingredient details, calorie content, and other product specifications. In addition, customers can access product reviews and ratings, which provide valuable insights into the quality and performance of coffee substitute products. However, high prices of coffee substitutes with ingredients such as roasted chicory or dandelion root, present a significant obstacle to the coffee substitute market's growth. Limited cultivation and availability of these alternatives can increase costs, which may affect the final product pricing. This may discourage budget-conscious consumers and hamper the competitive advantage of coffee substitutes, potentially reducing market presence. Furthermore, the perception that coffee substitutes are premium products due to high prices can hinder market expansion, especially in affordability-sensitive emerging markets. These pricing challenges highlight the need for strategies to address cost barriers and position coffee substitutes as viable alternatives to traditional coffee. 

The surge in consumer demand for organic and sustainable coffee substitutes has completely reshaped the beverage industry while driving the coffee substitute market size. Eco-conscious consumers prioritize environmentally friendly and healthier options in food and beverages, that has created high potential for coffee substitute market growth. Coffee substitute manufacturers have started responding by sourcing certified organic ingredients through optimization of sustainable production, and by the use of eco-friendly packaging. Certifications such as USDA Organic and Fair Trade promote their commitment to ethical sourcing and sustainable farming. The introduction of organic, sustainable, and health-conscious attributes is transforming the coffee substitute market, creating huge growth opportunities and brand differentiation. Thus, different coffee substitute brands follow this trend to enhance their market position by reduction of environmental impact along with the focus to promote wellness through caffeine-free and health-focused formulations. This is expected to boost the coffee substitute market trends and shape the coffee substitute market opportunities during the coffee substitute market forecast.

The rapid spread of coronavirus has disrupted the smooth functioning of coffee substitute market, owing to which companies faced a downfall in the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. They managed to maintain their revenues after the restrictions were lifted and everything was back to normal in different regions. The outbreak started in China, which further spread to other parts of the world resulting in lockdown and shutdown of manufacturing plants. Moreover, developments in resurgence of second wave of COVID-19 in China was one of the major challenges the country faced owing to complete shutdown of all activities. Other countries in Asia were also facing the same restrictions. Stringent rules across all the regions disrupted the supply chain and interrupted production activities. The duration of the virus outbreak remained a key factor in assessing the overall impact of the pandemic, however, lack of workers and disruption in supply chain were the major challenges for the engaged stakeholders all around the world.

The coffee substitute market analysis is segmented into product type, packaging, distribution channel, and region. On the basis of product type, the market is segregated into herbal coffee substitutes, grain-based coffee substitutes, and plant-based substitutes. As per packaging, it is bifurcated into pouches and cans. By distribution channel, the market is divided into hypermarkets/supermarkets, departmental stores, convenience stores, and online sales channels. Region wise, it is analyzed across North America (U.S., Canada, and Mexico), Europe (UK, Germany, Spain, Russia, France, and rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, India, Japan, Australia, South Korea, and rest of Asia-Pacific), and LAMEA (Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, and rest of LAMEA).

Key findings of the study 

• By product type, the herbal coffee substitute segment led in terms of the market share in 2022. Moreover, the plant-based coffee substitute segment is anticipated to be the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period. 
• By packaging, the pouches segment accounted for more than four-fifths of the market share in 2022. However, the cans segment is expected to gain traction during the forecast period.  
• By distribution channel, the hypermarkets/supermarkets segment accounted for more than one-third of the market share in 2022. However, the online segment is expected to be the fastest growing segment during the forecast period.
• By region, the Europe region dominated the global market in terms of the market share in 2022.  However, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to be the fastest growing segment during the forecast period.

The key players in the global coffee substitute industry have implemented a range of strategic initiatives, which includes but not limited to geographical expansion, product launch, innovation, and acquisitions. These key developments have significantly increased the market share, driven profitability, and strengthened their competitive position within the market. The key players operating in the coffee substitute market include Teeccino Caffe Inc., Rasa, Inc., Coffig for Life, LLC, Crio Bru LLC, Caf-Lib, MediDate, Tattva's Herbs LLC, Choffy Inc., Wooden Spoon Herbs, and Dandy Blend.