Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Protein Beverages Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Energy Beverages, Juice Beverages, Protein Shakes, Plant-Based Milk Beverages, Weight Management Beverages, Clinical Beverages, Others), By Packaging Type (Bottles, Cans, Others), By Source (Whey, Casein, Soy, Plant-Based, Others), By Distribution Channel (Supermarkets/Hypermarkets, Pharmacies & Drugstores, Specialist Stores, Online, Others), By Region, By Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 1.98 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	7.64%
Fastest Growing Segment	Plant-Based
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 3.08 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Protein Beverages Market will grow from USD 1.98 Billion in 2025 to USD 3.08 Billion by 2031 at a 7.64% CAGR. Global Ready to Drink protein beverages are defined as pre-formulated liquid nutritional supplements that offer high protein content and require no preparation before consumption. The primary drivers supporting the growth of this market include the escalating demand for convenient portable nutrition and a rising global emphasis on health and fitness that necessitates effective post-workout recovery options. These factors are distinct from temporary trends as they stem from a fundamental shift in consumer lifestyles toward sustained wellness and efficient time management.

However, the industry faces a significant hurdle regarding high raw material costs and supply chain complexities that can impact profitability and retail pricing structures. Despite these economic challenges, consumer interest continues to surge as evidenced by recent industrial statistics that highlight the expanding role of protein in active nutrition. According to the Council for Responsible Nutrition, in 2024, the usage of sports nutrition products among United States consumers increased to 45 percent with protein remaining the leading supplement within the category.

Key Market Drivers

Increasing participation in sports, gyms, and physical fitness activities has fundamentally reshaped the market, transitioning protein beverages from niche bodybuilding supplements to essential mainstream active nutrition products. Consumers are increasingly integrating ready-to-drink options into their daily routines to support muscle recovery and sustained energy levels. This broadening consumer base now encompasses casual fitness enthusiasts who prioritize accessible, performance-oriented nutrition. According to BellRing Brands, in 2025, the ready-to-drink shake category grew by 16 percent during the third quarter, underscoring the robust momentum of convenient nutrition formats. Major players are seeing significant uptake in core performance lines. According to Glanbia, November 2025, in the 'Third Quarter 2025 Interim Management Statement', the Performance Nutrition segment delivered a strong performance with the Optimum Nutrition brand achieving double-digit volume growth.

Simultaneously, the rapid expansion of plant-based and vegan product offerings is acting as a catalyst for market diversification. Manufacturers are aggressively innovating with alternative protein sources such as pea, soy, and oat to cater to flexitarians and environmentally conscious consumers seeking lactose-free alternatives. These formulations address rising demand for sustainable consumption while overcoming historical taste and texture barriers. Consequently, production capacity for plant-derived beverages is scaling rapidly to meet this shift. According to SunOpta, November 2025, in the 'Third Quarter Fiscal 2025 Financial Results' press release, revenue from continuing operations increased 16.8 percent to $205.4 million, driven largely by strong volume growth in plant-based beverages. This surge highlights the pivotal role of alternative formulations in driving incremental revenue opportunities.

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Key Market Challenges

The Global Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Protein Beverages Market is currently grappling with the substantial impediment of elevated raw material costs and persistent supply chain intricacies. These economic pressures create a volatile environment where manufacturers face eroding profit margins, forcing a difficult trade-off between absorbing expenses or passing them to price-sensitive consumers. When the price of essential ingredients such as whey isolates, casein, and plant-based proteins rises, the cost of goods sold increases, which directly threatens the affordability that makes these convenient products attractive to a mass market.

This inflationary environment has a measurable impact on production viability. According to the Food and Drink Federation, in 2024, total production costs for food and beverage manufacturers increased by 9.2 percent over the preceding year. Such a significant rise in operational expenses hampers the ability of brands to invest in new product development or aggressive marketing strategies. Consequently, the market experiences a deceleration in volume growth as higher retail prices deter casual consumers, limiting the sector's potential to fully capitalize on the expanding interest in active nutrition.

Key Market Trends

The proliferation of Specialized Product Lines Targeting GLP-1 Medication Users is fundamentally altering the market landscape, as manufacturers pivot to address the nutritional needs of consumers using weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. These medications often suppress appetite and can lead to muscle mass reduction, creating an urgent demand for nutrient-dense, high-protein beverages that support muscle maintenance without high caloric volume. Brands are responding by repositioning existing high-protein portfolios or launching dedicated "companion" products fortified with fiber and micronutrients to mitigate side effects. This strategic alignment is delivering measurable financial results; according to Food Dive, May 2025, in the 'Danone brings Oikos into the $7 billion protein shake market' article, sales of Oikos protein shakes increased 15 percent, with the brand explicitly identified as a major beneficiary of the uptick in GLP-1 medication usage.

Simultaneously, the Development of Senior-Focused Clinical Nutrition Beverages is gaining traction, driven by an aging global population seeking to manage sarcopenia and age-related health conditions. Unlike the sports nutrition segment which targets performance and hypertrophy, this trend focuses on medical efficacy, digestibility, and complete nutritional balance to support longevity and independence in older adults. Companies are increasingly investing in formulations that combine high-quality protein with specialized ingredients like HMB (beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate) to preserve lean body mass in clinical settings. This focus on healthy aging is translating into sustained revenue expansion; according to Abbott, October 2025, in the 'Abbott Reports Third-Quarter 2025 Results' press release, global Adult Nutrition sales increased 5.8 percent, primarily driven by strong demand for the Ensure brand which targets this demographic.

Segmental Insights

The plant-based segment is identified as the fastest-growing category within the Global Ready-to-Drink Protein Beverages Market, driven by a significant consumer shift toward vegan and flexitarian diets. This accelerated growth is largely attributed to heightening awareness of sustainability issues surrounding animal agriculture and the increasing prevalence of dairy allergies among general populations. Consequently, manufacturers are actively expanding their portfolios to include pea, soy, and rice protein options that offer improved taste profiles. This transition aligns with global health initiatives promoting sustainable food systems, ensuring that non-dairy alternatives effectively capture market share from traditional whey-based counterparts.

Regional Insights

North America leads the global Ready-to-Drink (RTD) protein beverages market, driven by high consumer awareness regarding physical fitness and nutritional management. The regional preference for convenient, on-the-go meal replacements supports widespread product adoption across the United States and Canada. Additionally, stringent safety and labeling standards maintained by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) foster significant consumer trust in product ingredients and health claims. The presence of major industry manufacturers further consolidates this strong market position, as companies continuously adapt formulations to meet evolving dietary preferences and active lifestyle requirements.

Recent Developments

• In January 2025, BellRing Brands' Premier Protein announced the launch of its new "Indulgence" line, a collection of high-protein shakes designed to provide a nutritious alternative to traditional desserts. The new range includes decadent flavors such as Dark Chocolate and Salted Caramel Truffle, each containing 30 grams of protein while limiting sugar content to just 3 grams per serving. This product innovation addresses the market trend for "permissible indulgence," allowing consumers to enjoy sweet treats that align with their health and wellness goals. The Senior Director of Marketing at Premier Protein noted that the line was created to help fans stay on track with their nutrition without compromising on taste.
• In June 2024, Starbucks Coffee Company, in collaboration with dairy cooperative Arla Foods, introduced a new range of high-protein ready-to-drink coffee beverages in the United Kingdom. The "Starbucks Protein Drink with Coffee" combines the brand’s signature Arabica coffee with low-fat milk, delivering 20 grams of protein per bottle with no added sugar. Available in Caffe Latte, Chocolate Mocha, and Caramel Hazelnut flavors, this product was developed to appeal to consumers seeking functional benefits from their daily coffee consumption. The Head of Beverages at Arla highlighted that this partnership aims to drive growth in the milk-based beverage category by attracting both existing protein consumers and new shoppers.
• In March 2024, the Muscle Milk brand, a subsidiary of PepsiCo, launched its first-ever plant-based ready-to-drink protein shake line to cater to the evolving preferences of active consumers. These new shakes provide 30 grams of protein per serving and were released in Chocolate and Caramel Vanilla flavors, offering a complete amino acid profile to support muscle recovery. This strategic development allows the brand to extend its reach within the sports nutrition category by offering a non-dairy alternative that maintains high protein content. The launch was supported by a national marketing campaign emphasizing strength and performance for everyday athletes.
• In January 2024, Suja Organic expanded its presence in the functional beverage sector by entering the ready-to-drink protein market with a new line of organic protein shakes. The company introduced three plant-based varieties, including Vanilla Cinnamon, Chocolate, and Coffee Bean, which are formulated with a blend of pea, rice, and hemp proteins. Each bottle delivers 16 grams of protein alongside essential vitamins and minerals, utilizing almond milk and coconut cream to ensure a smooth texture. The Chief Innovation Officer at Suja Organic stated that this product launch was designed to meet the growing consumer demand for transparent, plant-rich nutritional options.

Key Market Players

• Ultimate Sports Nutrition
• QNT SA
• Bolthouse Farms, Inc.
• Huel Limited
• Upbeat Drinks Ltd
• UFIT High Protein Drinks
• Krüger Group
• Grenade [UK] Limited
• Nestlé
• Danone S.A.

By Type	By Packaging Type	By Source	By Distribution Channel	By Region
Energy Beverages Juice Beverages Protein Shakes Plant-Based Milk Beverages Weight Management Beverages Clinical Beverages Others	Bottles Cans Others	Whey Casein Soy Plant-Based Others	Supermarkets/Hypermarkets Pharmacies & Drugstores Specialist Stores Online Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Protein Beverages Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Protein Beverages Market, By Type:

• Energy Beverages
• Juice Beverages
• Protein Shakes
• Plant-Based Milk Beverages
• Weight Management Beverages
• Clinical Beverages
• Others

• Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Protein Beverages Market, By Packaging Type:

• Bottles
• Cans
• Others

• Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Protein Beverages Market, By Source:

• Whey
• Casein
• Soy
• Plant-Based
• Others

• Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Protein Beverages Market, By Distribution Channel:

• Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
• Pharmacies & Drugstores
• Specialist Stores
• Online
• Others

• Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Protein Beverages Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE