The European soft drinks industry is a local industry, contributing to local economies. Ingredients are sourced from local farmers and producers and production sites employ local people and are located close to distribution and sales outlets.
The industry supports 252,377 employees on arable farms and sources ingredients from across the EU: from sugar beet, apples and pears grown in the northern and eastern markets to citrus fruits in the southern markets and berries sourced from growers right across Europe. It is estimated that 137,500 arable farms across the EU grow crops destined for soft drinks production.
