The USA bubble tea market size is forecast to increase from USD 368.7 million in 2023 to USD 1,245 million by 2033. Overall bubble tea sales in the United States will rise at 13.% CAGR through 2033. In 2022, the United States bubble tea industry was valued at USD 329.5 million.
Bubble tea, also known as boba tea or tapioca milk tea, is a Taiwanese tea-based drink that has gained popularity worldwide. Its main ingredients include tea and tapioca balls. It can also be made in a variety of fruit flavors and may contain other toppings such as fruit jelly, popping boba, or pudding.
Bubble tea is a comparatively new market, having originated in Taiwan and spread to places such as the United States over the last 20 years through bubble tea franchises.
Bubble tea's success has spawned a slew of bubble tea-flavored snacks, including bubble tea ice cream and bubble tea candy. Increasing consumption of unique tea and coffee across the USA will boost the bubble tea market
Social media is playing a crucial role in fueling demand for bubble tea in the USA market. It is mostly through social media platforms that more and more Americans are developing an interest in this pearly drink.
Bubble tea is mostly consumed by millennials. A large portion of the United States population considers bubble tea as a healthier alternative to other sugary drinks. This will bolster bubble tea sales during the next ten years.
Availability of a variety of products will also play a key role in expanding the USA bubble tea industry size during the projection period.
Another factor that will boost bubble tea sales in the USA is the rising prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. With Americans becoming more aware of the health benefits of bubble tea, they are showing a keen interest in consuming it.
Demand remains especially high for bubble tea having low sugar content and green tea as its base. This is due to various health benefits that this type of drink offers. For instance, presence of green tea provides a wide array of antioxidants.
Leading players are focusing on launching new variants into the USA market to grab opportunities. For instance, recently the first ready-to-drink called BUBLUV Bubble Tea was introduced by BUBLUV, Inc. The new drink introduced by this New York-based startup contains no artificial ingredients or added sugar.
| Attributes | Key Insights |
|---|---|
| Estimated USA Bubble Tea Market Size (2023E) | USD 368.7 million |
| Projected Market Value (2033F) | USD 1,245 million |
| Value-based CAGR (2023 to 2033) | 13% |
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Historically, from 2018 to 2022, sales of bubble tea across the United States increased at 10% CAGR. Total market size in the USA at the end of 2022 reached USD 329.5 million. Between 2023 and 2033, bubble tea demand in the USA will increase at 13% CAGR.
Bubble tea was introduced several years ago, but it was not until recently that it gained attention due to information circulated via the internet.
Bubble tea shops started the trend of creating aesthetically pleasing drinks which encouraged consumers to take photos and post them on social media. Despite intense competition, the market continued to offer scope for differentiation, which is fueling the expansion of the bubble tea market in the USA.
Every producer has the opportunity to launch their versions of bubble tea with a variety of toppings and create a brand specialty. For instance, The Alley is known for its brown sugar tapioca pearl bubble tea, while Tiger Sugar’s specialty is its creamy bubble milk tea served with tiger stripes.
The expansion of the bubble tea market is credited to the adoption and improved availability of bubble tea. The bubble tea market in the United States has been steadily expanding with an increasing number of bubble tea shops opening across the country. This growth trend is likely to continue in 2023 as well.
There has also been an increase in the number of non-traditional bubble tea stores, such as cafes and smoothie shops, that offer bubble tea as a beverage option.
It is being observed that manufacturers are engaging to cater to every potential segment. For instance, recently they started offering healthier options to the health-conscious segment.
Various stores have begun to offer sugar-free or reduced-sugar choices while others are substituting natural sweeteners such as honey or agave for traditional sweeteners such as cane sugar.
This development of more natural and healthier bubble drink tea options will play a key role in boosting sales throughout the projection period.
Convenience is essential in today’s fast-paced world. While bubble tea can be prepared at home, because of its portable cup and straw packaging, certain people choose to purchase it from their neighborhood bubble tea shop.
Younger shoppers seeking quick and simple solutions are drawn to its portable packing. It is simple to transport and can even be sipped while moving around or traveling.
Neighborhood shops are preferred in the USA for bubble tea-like beverages because these shops can quickly offer fresh tea in an easy-to-carry format. But packaged bubble tea instant kits are likely to gain popularity in areas such as Minnesota, Kansas, and Alaska during the forecast period.
Bubble tea chains are striving to reach a larger consumer base in untapped markets such as Michigan, Minnesota, Kansas, and Alaska to generate sales and increase their revenue.
In certain areas, bubble tea is available in an instant kit format, with the option to add fresh bubble tea.
The high cost of premium products has negatively impacted sales in these states. To reduce costs, companies are focusing on expanding and manufacturing their premium products within these states.
Low bubble tea penetration in certain states, coupled with the high cost of premium products, presents an opportunity for manufacturers to expand into these regions, which have a growing number of young people and colleges.
Awareness about health issues due to the consumption of sugar is restricting market development to some extent. In 2020, nearly 1.5 million deaths were directly caused by diabetes worldwide.
Bubble tea consists of a little bit more sugar in it, and consumers’ rising awareness about the side effects of excessive sugar consumption is deterring consumers from drinking bubble tea frequently.
Besides this, manufacturers also face challenges in securing raw materials or components due to supply chain disruptions, including transportation issues, natural disasters, and geopolitical tensions.
Similarly, the market is extremely competitive in the USA with numerous manufacturers competing for market share. Individual firms sometimes find it difficult to differentiate themselves or retain pricing power as a result of this.
Pure Drink Remain the Most Popular Drink Type
Among all the drink types, the consumer’s preference for a pure drink has increased over the years. The target segment currently holds a market share of 23.4%. This large market share is due to the fact that it is the most common ready-to-go drink available in the USA.
Pure drink is considered a classic and popular category of bubble tea available in the market. This milk tea with tapioca as a "topping" is popular among many individuals.
Similarly, demand for smoothies is likely to increase during the projection period. The smoothie segment will progress at a healthy CAGR, reaching a valuation of USD 214.4 million by 2033.
Easy Accessibility and Presence of Various Flavors Driving RTD Bubble Tea Demand
Bubble tea is available in ready-to-drink (RTD) formats as well as instant mixes wherein consumers can blend in the ingredients at home to prepare a glass of their favorite bubble tea.
The ready-to-drink bubble tea segment is set to expand at a lucrative CAGR of 12.9% between 2023 and 2033. The same segment will generate revenues worth USD 1,010.3 million by 2033.
Ready-to-drink bubble tea is available in a variety of flavors, including traditional milk tea, fruit tea, and herbal tea, making it easier for people to discover a flavor they enjoy. Instant mix, on the other hand, is typically available in only a few fundamental flavors.
Ready-to-drink bubble tea is easily accessible in supermarkets, convenience stores, and online sellers. This makes it simple to locate and buy. Instant mix, on the other hand, is a little bit difficult to locate due to which consumers’ preference for RTD bubble tea has been increasing.
Based on flavor, the market is divided into unflavored and flavored segments. Among these, consumers prefer flavored bubble tea due to its unique taste.
Taste is one of the main reasons consumers prefer flavored bubble tea over unflavoured ones. It gives a distinct and enjoyable flavor to the drink, improving the overall experience. The flavor can also be used to mask any bitterness present in the tea.
Demand for flavored bubble tea in the USA is forecast to rise at a robust CAGR of 13.5% through 2033. Within flavored category, chocolate and fruit-flavored bubble tea are in more demand while nut-flavored and mocha are the least preferred bubble teas.
Rising Prevalence of Lifestyle Diseases Such as Diabetes Fueling Sugar-Free Bubble Tea Sales
As per Future Market Insights, reduced sugar/sugar-free bubble tea segment will expand at 14.4% CAGR. Overall sales of sugar/sugar-free bubble tea will total a valuation of USD 434.4 million in 2033.
Increasing incidence of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes is a key factor prompting consumers to opt for sugar/sugar-free bubble tea.
Various customers could have dietary restrictions that require them to prevent or limit their sugar consumption. People with diabetes or other health conditions, for example, need to limit their sugar intake, and sugar-free or low-sugar options enable them to enjoy bubble tea without jeopardizing their health.
Similarly, bubble tea shops and brands are increasingly promoting their sugar-free or reduced-sugar options, which is helping to raise awareness and generate interest among consumers. As a result, more people are willing to try these options and are finding that they enjoy them.
Earlier product portfolios were less diverse, but as time has passed and product demand has increased, key players are focussing on new product formation. Similarly, the growing online presence of B2B suppliers is benefiting them to spread awareness about their authentic ingredients resulting in reaching out to their end-user customers.
Suppliers are also focussing on unique packaging material as end-to-end solutions such as spill-proof cups, lids, and straws. Further, they are adopting strategies such as mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, facility expansions, and collaborations, and firming up distribution channels to expand their global sales footprint.
Recent Developments
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Market Value (2023) | USD 368.7 million |
| Projected Market Value (2033) | USD 1,245 million |
| Anticipated Growth Rate (2023 to 2033) | 13% CAGR |
| Forecast Period | 2023 to 2033 |
| Historical Data Available for | 2018 to 2022 |
| Market Analysis | USD million for Value |
| Key Countries Covered | USA |
| Key Segments Covered | Drink Type, Distributional Channel, Format, Flavor, Sugar Content |
| Key Companies Profiled | CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice; Gong Cha; Kung Fu Tea; Lollicup USA; Quickly; Tiger Sugar; Sharetea; Boba Guys; Tapioca Express; La Kaffa International Co; Ten Ren Tea Co., Ltd.; DaBoba; Happy Lemon Bubble Tea; Yifang USA Inc.; Bubbleology; Del Monte Foods Inc; Boba Loca; J Way Foods; 7 Leaves Café; Jazen Tea |
| Report Coverage | Company Share Analysis, Drivers Restraints Opportunity Trends Analysis, Market Forecast, Competition Intelligence, Strategic Growth Initiatives and Market Dynamics, Challenges |
The bubble tea market in the USA is currently valued at USD 368.7 million in 2023.
The USA bubble tea market is anticipated to surge to USD 1,245 million, exhibiting a CAGR of 13% through 2033.
Pure drink is the predominant drink type in the USA bubble tea market.
Prevailing trends in the market include the introduction of unique flavors and an increasing focus on health-conscious ingredients.
Prominent market players such as CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice, Gong Cha, Kung Fu Tea, Lollicup USA, and Quickly dominate the USA bubble tea market.
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USA Bubble Tea Market
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