05/04/2026 01:26 AST
The bottled water industry in Saudi Arabia is poised for future growth, supported by a rising population, rapid urbanization, and tourism expansion, experts told Arab News.
This ongoing momentum underscores the projections made by market research firm Imarc Group, which said that the Kingdom's bottled water market size is projected to reach $5.5 billion by 2034, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate of 7.7 percent from 2026.
The outlook also reflects broader shifts in the nation's economy under Vision 2030, with rising urbanization, tourism growth, and changing consumer preferences supporting demand.
Amid water scarcity and extreme climate conditions, the bottled water sector is emerging as a resilient growth segment driven by convenience and health trends.
Affirming this development, Al-Jouf Mineral Water Bottling Co., listed on Saudi Arabia's parallel market Nomu, reported a net profit of SR4.36 million ($1.16 million) in 2025, representing a 51.87 percent rise compared to the previous year.
Francois de Bie, chief commercial officer at Emirates Biotech, told Arab News: "The Saudi bottled water market is growing, driven by population expansion, urbanization, and a growing tourism sector, all of which are tied to their Vision 2030.
"As the drivers for growth are supported by the Kingdom's long-term vision, the growth is expected to continue."
Hossam Ezzat, quality manager at Saudi-based Hana Co. for Food Industries, shared a similar insight and noted that the bottled water market in the Kingdom is growing and is considered an expanding sector within the country.
"Growth is estimated at approximately 6 to 8 percent annually, and this is mainly because of limited natural freshwater resources and reliance on bottled water as a primary drinking source. Population growth and expansion of tourism and hospitality sectors are also contributing to the growth," said Ezzat.
Thomas Kuruvilla, managing partner of Arthur D. Little Middle East & India, said that Saudi Arabia's bottled water market remains one of the region's more resilient consumer categories, supported by climate conditions, a growing tourism sector, and an increasingly health-conscious population.
He added that the future of the Kingdom's bottled water market will be shaped by a mix of international players and strong local brands, with the latter bringing valuable insight into consumer preferences and cultural context.
"Saudi Vision 2030 continues to play a central role in shaping the broader water ecosystem, particularly through investments in supply and infrastructure. While these efforts primarily address long-term water security, they also contribute indirectly to the overall resilience and reliability of the sector," said Kuruvilla.
The sustainability factor
According to these experts, sustainability is one of the crucial factors being addressed by bottled water firms in Saudi Arabia, especially after the launch of the Saudi Green Initiative.
"The Saudi Green Initiative has set aggressive waste reduction targets, meaning brands need to take action and transition to a more circular and less impact to the environment. The challenge for the industry is separating market growth from plastic pollution," said de Bie.
Echoing similar views, Ezzat said that the industry is well aware of environmental concerns, particularly related to plastic waste.
"The bottled water industry is taking several measures by reducing plastic usage through lightweight PET bottle designs, recycling the majority of plastic wastes, and introducing new trends for glass bottles injected into the market," said Ezzat.
Kuruvilla said that sustainability is emerging as an important priority across the industry, but its impact will depend on continued progress in recycling and waste management infrastructure.
"As these systems evolve, companies will have an opportunity to strengthen the credibility of their environmental commitments and align them more closely with consumer expectations," he added.
Changing consumer behavior and manufacturing trends
Outlining the changing consumer behavior in the industry, Ezzat said that customers have now started opting for premium, mineral, and alkaline water, alongside flavored and carbonated water.
Discussing the manufacturing and supply side, Ezzat said: "For packaging innovations, there is a trend of developing more lightweight packaging. In terms of distribution channels, there is growth in e-commerce and home delivery services."
For his part, de Bie said that Saudi Arabia is witnessing a rapid, critical shift in eco-consciousness, especially among the younger demographic.
"Consumers still demand the convenience of a single-use bottle, but they no longer want the environmental guilt. This tension is forcing brands to urgently seek out sustainable packaging solutions that offer the same performance but in a guilt-free experience," said de Bie.
Arab News
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