Heat and deposit scheme reshape Vorarlberg drinks market

The deposit scheme for single-use bottles and cans and the summer heat are changing shopping habits in Vorarlberg, ORF reports. Demand is rising for smaller bottles and Tetra Pak cartons, but there has been no rush to switch to packaging not covered by the deposit.

As temperatures rise, shoppers are more likely to choose smaller bottles and cartons because many are out and about, fruit juice producer Pfanner said. Drinks company Rauch also reported that warm summer months generally boost consumption as demand for fluids and refreshments increases. Water, iced tea and traditional soft drinks are particularly popular.

However, extreme heat does not automatically lead to higher sales, the company said, because people may also change their leisure habits.

Since the deposit was introduced, 500 millilitre Tetra Pak cartons have also become more popular. Rauch said it could not confirm a general shift from PET bottles to Tetra Pak packaging, as different formats serve different consumption occasions. Pfanner said changes varied by product category.

Pfanner said there had initially been a clear shift towards alternative packaging not subject to the deposit. Consumers and retailers have since become accustomed to the new system. Deposit-free containers remain in demand, partly because of the growing preference for smaller pack sizes.

Both companies said they were closely monitoring developments and could adjust the filling volumes of PET bottles and Tetra Pak cartons at short notice. Rauch said its production planning was revised every 14 days.