Photo: Contributed
By: Hee-Dee Walenga
Namibians have a clear appetite for energy and sports drinks, evident in the dozens of options imported by grocery stores and service stations across the country.
In a survey answered by 145 respondents, Redbull, Reboost, and Monster Energy were listed as favourites among locals.
Energy drinks are defined by Britannica as beverages that contain high levels of a stimulant ingredient, usually caffeine. Britannica defines sports drinks as drinks which are used to replace water and electrolytes during or after physical activity.
The Villager analyzed 27 different beverages in the category and found that only two (7.4%) of the drinks found on Namibian shelves are made by Namibian companies.
The two beverages are WUMA, made by Omaruru Beverages, and Spark Energy, which is produced by Interpack Beverages.
15 of the 27 beverages (55.6%) are imported from South Africa. These include beverages such as Reboost, Score, Switch, Energade, and Knoxx Hydrate.
The next biggest importer from the sample size was the United States of America with 4 beverages, which are Monster Energy, Dragon Energy, Powerade, and Sparkling Ice.
Monster Energy, created by Monster Beverage Corporation, and Powerade, created by Coca-Cola, are headquartered in the USA but bottled/manufactured through regional bottling and distribution partners in South Africa.
The characteristics of the beverage category present an opportunity for local manufacturers to quench the evident thirst that Namibians have for these beverages.
Namibia’s sixth National Development Plan has set a target for local manufacturers to increase their contribution to the GDP from 10.6% to 18%.
The strategies mentioned to achieve this include enhancing industrial financing and creating incentives for manufacturing.
50% of the respondents to the survey stated that they purchase the drinks to replenish their energy levels after a long day of work or intense physical activity.
Energy drinks are infamous for the amount of sugar and artificial sweeteners they contain. 37% of respondents stated that they do not know what the recommended daily intake for added sugar for an adult is.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that adults consume no more than 25 grams (about 6 teaspoons) per day of added sugar for extra health benefits.
A 500ml can of Monster Energy contains 56.6g of sugar. A 355ml can of Redbull contains 38g of sugar. A 500ml can of Reboost contains 16.5g of sugar.
Of the 27 beverages analysed, 21 of them contain at least one artificial sweetener. The most common sweetener was Sucralose, which is 600 times sweeter than regular table sugar.
Research remains largely inconclusive on the true harm of sustained consumption of artificial sweeteners on the human body. However, what is conclusive is that Namibian manufacturers have the opportunity to supply a product that is in clear demand.
