Press Release - March 2026

• The bottled water market reached €1.95 billion in 2025, after rising 4.8% year-over-year, amid stabilising prices and a moderate increase in demand. Production totalled around 6,850 million litres, up 1% in the fiscal year.

• Against stagnant household demand, the horeca channel showed strong momentum, driven by tourism activity. The sector is characterised by the coexistence of numerous small companies with a small core of larger-scale operators.

• INFORMA's DBK Sectoral Observatory recently published these insights in the 'Mineral Water' Sectoral Basic Report.

Madrid, 3 March 2026.- According to INFORMA's (Cesce's subsidiary) DBK Sectoral Observatory—a leading provider of business, financial, sectoral, and marketing information in Spain and Portugal—the consumption of bottled water maintained a trend of moderate growth in 2024-2025, in a scenario where buoyant demand in the hospitality and restaurant channel, driven by tourism activity, offset sluggish household consumption.

Amid a stabilisation in the pace of price increases, the value of sales rose 6.3% in 2024 and 4.8% in 2025, reaching €1.95 billion in the latter year.

As for production volume, this variable has now recorded five consecutive years of growth since the 2020 low. In 2025, it reached 6,850 million litres, up 1% on 2024, although below the increase recorded in the previous year.

As for foreign trade flows, which are of limited relevance, 2025 saw a sharp contrast between the stagnation in the value of exports and a notable rebound in imports (+21%).

There are currently around 120 bottled water plants in Spain, which together generate employment for over 30,000 workers, considering direct and indirect jobs. Around half of bottling plants are estimated to be located in municipalities with fewer than 2,000 inhabitants.

Most companies are small, and their activity is typically limited to the regional and local sphere. Nevertheless, alongside them operates a small number of large companies with a strong market position, some of which belong to major food or drinks groups.

The market will extend its growth trend over 2026-2027, albeit at more moderate rates than in previous years. Meanwhile, investment efforts are increasing, both in production capacity and in technological modernisation.

Data Synthesis, 2025