Dutch drink more soda    

By The Holland Times Thursday 15 July 2010, 12:07

Last year the Dutch drank more soft drinks, bottled water, juice and syrup despite economic hardships. The carbonated drinks were by far the most popular beverage.

Per capital more than one hundred litres of soft drink were sold in 2009, up nearly 40 percent from the year before.

"This is special," says Jouke Schat, director of organisation Frisdranken, Waters, Sappen (Soft drinks, Waters and Juices, FWS). "Despite the volatile economic times we are in, the numbers of soda, fresh water and juice showed a marked increase." 

The soft drink industry says the increase has to do with the many new soft drinks on the market, although they also cite brand loyalty as contributing to the increase.

The increase in the consumption of water, juice and syrup was less pronounced.