How hard is it to sell cans for cold brew coffee?
The global cold coffee market is experiencing a boom. Multinational branded coffee shop chains and specialty coffee roasters both report higher cold coffee beverage sales than their hot coffee counterparts.
Selling cans for cold brew coffee is just one way coffee businesses are gaining market share. Coffee shops are also broadening their menus, entering the RTD space, and innovating with packaging and brewing partners to give consumers more of what they want.
Introducing new products to the market can be stressful, especially when trying to predict demand. Luckily, all signs point to success for canned cold brew. Market research, industry activity, and supermarket shelves all show clear evidence that RTD coffee is a great horse to bet on.
BKON is helping coffee businesses do just that. Read on to find out how.
Just how positive are the signs for the cold coffee segment?
Cans for cold brew coffee form just one channel within the dynamic out-of-home cold coffee segment. Espresso-based canned coffee and cold coffee takeaway beverages have also shown strong growth.
In 2023, Starbucks announced that 75% of the coffee drinks it sold in-store were prepared cold. In a recent interview with Cold Brew Pak, Klatch Coffee’s Natasha Lozano confirmed that the southern California specialty roaster was witnessing roughly the same sales mix.
Cold coffee revenue has historically been dictated by warmer climates and traditional drinking preferences. However, growth in formerly hot beverage-dominated markets, like the East Coast of America, the United Kingdom, and Australia, suggests that cold brews and the like are breaking down seasonal barriers.
The evidence is not limited to coffee roasters and cafés. More companies are turning their attention to cold coffee solutions. BKON is one such business – it provides cold extraction services to coffee companies looking to take their cold coffee offerings to the next level.
In a recent press release, Dean Vastardis, CEO and founder of BKON, said, “The industry demand for RAINⓇ brewed cold coffee has grown significantly this year as a result of our breakthrough in delivering unprecedented flavour profiles in a shelf-stable format.”
“After 300% growth in cold brew coffee production during 2020, we’ve secured a $3 million investment led by GoodWest Industries. With this investment, BKON is expanding its production capacity and enhancing its extraction capabilities so brands can commercialise higher-strength coffee concentrates. The funding will support BKON’s commercialisation efforts both in North America and internationally.”
BKON uses a patented brewing technology – RAIN (reverse atmospheric infusion) – to brew cold brew, which can then be packaged in large quantities for multi-serve purposes or as cans for cold brew coffee.
BKON already works with some of the USA’s leading coffee brands, including Joe Coffee, PJ’s, and Parlor Coffee, helping them offer higher quality cold brew to their customers. Their recent news is a clear indication of the faith both their funders and their clients have in future cold brew growth.
“Despite the COVID-19 disruption, BKON grew its cold coffee brewing business by 300% in 2020, with 16 regional and national specialty coffee brands, including Allegro Coffee, a subsidiary of Whole Foods Market. Comprising over $25 billion in annual sales, cold coffee is the most consumed natural refreshment beverage and the largest functional beverage in America,” said Rick Lawlor, executive chairman of GoodWest Industries.
How do cans for cold brew coffee fit in?
As Rick Lawlor pointed out, cold coffee is commonly consumed for refreshment and functional purposes. These factors suit the ready-to-drink beverage format well. As consumers – especially younger ones – live increasingly active and health-conscious lifestyles, canned drinks offer convenience and variety.
These trends are well noted in the alcoholic beverage sector. Millennials and Gen Z shoppers are driving a boom in RTD cocktails because they suit their more active lifestyle demands. Just as canned alcoholic drinks fit in with evening trends, so do canned coffee drinks that match daytime caffeine demands.
A Mintel study in 2024 found that younger generations are significantly more likely to drink RTD coffee than regular brewed hot coffee. Offering cans for cold brew coffee is sure to appeal better to a growing younger audience than developing new hot alternatives.
Cold brew is growing rapidly, even by cold coffee standards. This year, the segment was valued at $3.16 billion and is expected to exceed $16 billion by 2032. While any canned cold coffee option seems a good bet, cold brew offers the steepest trajectory.
By partnering with a reputable packaging supplier, you can easily source sustainable, elegant, and highly customisable cans for cold-brew coffee. This helps coffee roasters avoid the costly overheads involved in canning or cold-brewing themselves, instead outsourcing the expertise to a business like BKON.
Make sure to check for food safety certifications like BRCGS: Many retailers will demand them before carrying your products. Confirming that your supplier operates under the highest globally recognised safety standards gives both you and your customers greater confidence and peace of mind.
Cans for cold brew coffee offer a 360-degree canvas for compelling branding, aesthetic impact, and storytelling. Your supplier should provide comprehensive customisation capabilities to help you guarantee that your brand stands out on competitive supermarket shelves and properly represents your brand ethos.
Aluminium cans are among the most widely recycled beverage containers, and displaying recycling tips and advice on your cans for cold brew coffee will build better rapport and trust with your patrons.
Cold coffee and RTD trends are expected to continue exhibiting strong growth as younger audiences gain more spending power, so adding them to your portfolio should prove to be a positive addition to your revenue stream if you combine the approach above, partner with an experienced supplier, leverage brandable real estate, and display a company-wide commitment to sustainable business practices.
To source your own line of custom cans for cold brew coffee, visit our website or get in touch with our team directly. Cold Brew Pak is committed to providing certified-recyclable cold brew packaging solutions to the specialty coffee sector.
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up-to-date on the latest developments at Cold Brew Pak.
