Milk Tea Add-ons Market

The global Milk Tea Add-ons Market size was USD 1181.61 million in 2024 and the market is projected to touch USD 1783.25 million by 2031, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.10% during the forecast period.

One can turn milk tea base into an original blend, satisfying many munchkins, by adding desired add-ons. Extras that can be added are tapioca pearl, grass jelly, aloe vera, or even fun-popping boba; each has its own unique texture and flavour. Red beans or pudding can also be brought in by those who have a sweet tooth to create a richer drink. Feeling those jellies of lychee and the fresh fruit chunks for some freshness is a well-known option for people. Through combining these add-ons, tea lovers are offered the possibility of adjusting their milk tea to their mood and their dietary requirements, changing the good old cup of tea into something personalised that not only tastes great but also packs a punch in the fun factor department of a milk tea experience.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with the market experiencing higher-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. The sudden market growth reflected by the rise in CAGR is attributable to market’s growth and demand returning to pre-pandemic levels.

The COVID-19 pandemic, although complex, created more opportunities in the milk tea industry. Firstly, the rise in the work-from-home culture and the extended time spent at home resulted in a surge in demand for at-home beverage alternatives, including do-it-yourself (DIY) milk tea kits, that enabled consumers to enjoy their favourite café experiences mainly in their kitchens. While this was a trend that helped diversify the income streams of the business entities, it also grew their operations into retail products. For instance, the pandemic reached a turning point for the adoption of digital ordering and delivery by prompting milk tea shops to be able to reach out to a wider customer base beyond their immediate locality. To conclude, the wellness trend, which has come to the forefront in pandemic times, has led many milk tea brands to develop healthier options like sugar-free syrups and organic ingredients, which thus attracts health-conscious consumers, thus expanding the market demographic.

"Custom Made Features and High-End Ingredients to Propel the Market Growth"

The change trend in the milk tea market is ongoing; perhaps there will be more trends showing up in the future. Another development is in customers' preferences for custom-made features or high-end ingredients, which has pushed milk tea shops to supply an array of add-ons as well as flavour bases such as oat milk or matcha. Also, a trend notes concerning health-related alternatives, such as low-calorie sweeteners and superfood ingredients, caters to a wider, health-prompted sector of people. Another tendency in this field is the increasing interest in ecology, where brands choose sustainable packaging and tea leaves originating from ethical sources for their eco-friends. Likewise, technology is featured heavily in the ordering procedure and includes things like applications on mobile devices as well as the choice to not physically hand the customer the food but to have it delivered without ever being in physical contact. This likewise represents the industry's ability to adapt to digital-first consumer behaviour. These emerging patterns include novel taste innovations, refreshed concoctions, and the increase in consumer expectations, which shapes innovation in the milky tea industry, giving it an edge in the market.

By Type

Based on type the market can be categorized into Tapioca Balls, Jelly Topings, Cereal, Agar Jelly Ball & Others

• Tapioca Balls: On top of these, boba is listed as an ingredient that is most commonly added to the tea, as well as the reason for the wide popularity of the drink. Derived from tapioca, which is a gluten-free starch, these balls add to the experience of the drink by creating a distinctive texture in it. It's offered in several versions, some with flavoured additives such as honey or brown sugar.
• Jelly Toppings: Features include the possibility to make a wide range of jellies, like coconut jelly, fruit jellies (such as mango or lychee), and grass jelly. They contribute to the overall chewiness of the pizza, which isn’t always crispy or crunchy, but it's usually delicious with the wide range of produce flavours served.
• Cereal: Generally, you can find toasted grains, like dark-roasted, added to the drink to enjoy a chewy texture along with the milk tea. It appeals to the sensory crowd out there, those who want to experience more texture in their reality.
• Agar Jelly Ball: Gleamed from seaweed, these jelly balls can also be accounted for as tapioca balls but are instead stronger and less chewy. Vegan gelatine-based jellies have been innovated. It features a semi-crisp and is a is a bit gelatinous in texture.

By Application

Based on application the market can be categorized into Wholesale & Retail

• Wholesale: Here, the wholesale sale of ingredients, giving businesses the option to sell these add-ons to tea shops, cafes, and restaurants, is undertaken. Said companies buy a great variety of value-added items to fix their daily consecutive shift problems. Apart from this segment, there are those who sell ready-made milk tea in outlets or franchises, as well as manufacturers of pre-packaged milk tea products. These types of establishments require bulk quantities of ingredients for their production.
• Retail: Here, in particular, the sale of smaller packages of add-ons directly to consumers is also included. Generally, they are sold through supermarkets, specialty stores, and online selling platforms. Consumers are purchasing these products so they can make the same type of milk tea that they have bought previously at home. Retailers who sell tea and all tea-related items have many add-ons for sale to choose from, thus giving consumers a lot of latitude in adjusting their homemade beverages according to their preferences.

"Rising Popularity of Customisable Beverages to Expand the Market"

One of the key driving factors of Milk Tea Add-ons Market growth is Rising Popularity of Customisable Beverages. Customers are increasingly inclined to choose food drinks that provide them with a high level of personalisation; milk tea with a variety of add-ins ranks among the most popular options and caters to this tendency. Personalising a drink becomes easier with the options that include the choice of topping with tapioca, jellies, and many others that suit each taste and diet. As the customers want to sip their unique cup of brew, here lies great potential. Consumers are bound to have an amazing experience and come back for more, adding a great chunk to the overall sales revenue of milk tea-related addons.

"Global Expansion of Milk Tea Culture to Advance the Market"

Milk tea especially came to the limelight in East Asian countries and gained wide acceptance globally throughout the time. Consequently, milk tea stores and coffee shops mushroomed everywhere. This walk to the world occurs due to the cultural and social bonds of Asian roaming people to several countries; thus, these two beverages, among others, have widely experienced global fame. Consumers all over the world kept on adopting milk tea, which in turn pushed the constant creation of new offerings by the market; hence, the demand for milk tea-related things kept on the rise.

"Health Concerns to Pose Potential Impediments on this Market"

Given that the consequence is a serious threat to the health of milk tea consumers, a thing that keeps this market from getting bigger is the health concerns such as high sugar and high fat content. Record quantities of sugar are found in some of the of the most wanted add-ons, for example, tapioca pearls and sweetened jellies, which may discourage healthcare-oriented consumers. Not only does this increase awareness, but as more people acknowledge the dangerous health consequences of too much sugar, like diabetes, obesity, or other harmful illnesses, some consumers may decide to make healthier choices in terms of beverages. This problem of customer shifts in preference between milk tea and milk tea add-ons creates a challenge for the market, a situation that pushes producers to rethink the product formulation to reduce the level of sugar or to develop other healthier add-ons that preserve sweetness.

"North America to Dominate the Market due to its Demand for Asian Food"

The market is primarily segregated into Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific, North America, and Middle East & Africa.

North America has emerged as the most dominant region in the Milk Tea Add-ons Market share mainly because the demand for Asian food, including bubble tea, led to the cultural integration of the unique cuisine of Asia increasing among the diverse population. In the last few years, we have observed a substantial increase in the number of specialty tea shops and cafes that provide customised milk tea mixes. The growth has been both due to the contribution of immigrants from the Asian region as well as to the decision of consumers to try the international and exclusive products. Furthermore, the local assembly has been motivated by the existing trend in North America regarding customisation and consciousness among consumers towards health, which has made many of the businesses on their toes as they keep innovating to ensure that there is a wide range of add-ons like low-calorie and natural options.

"Key Players Transforming the Milk Tea Add-ons Market through Innovations"

The milk tea add-on market gets tremendously progressed when significant industrial players snarl them by involving them in innovations, setting trends, and growing their consumer base by means of effective market strategies and product diversification. This rich pool of tremendously wealthy companies will not lack capital to pour into product research and development, and thus, they can produce attractive new add-ons and healthier options that, later on, fit into the constantly evolving preferences of consumers. They also provide a necessary platform for market expansion, this being through setting up a wide coverage of distribution channels and supporting this with partnerships that cover both local and international retail outlets to aid the option of milk tea and its add-ons being made available to people residing in different locations.

• YEH YONG CHANG FOODS CO (China)
• Andesboba (China)
• TEN EN TAPIOCA FOODS (China)
• Sunjuice (China)
• Delthin (China)

2024: The launch of new aloe vera-based add-ons in 2024, which included aloe vera cubes and aloe vera pearls, by Yifang was a step towards expanding its product portfolio. This way, it caters to the trend of health-conscious consumers and also, at the same time, gives them a new textural experience in their drinks.

This report is based on historical analysis and forecast calculation that aims to help readers get a comprehensive understanding of the global Milk Tea Add-ons Market from multiple angles, which also provides sufficient support to readers’ strategy and decision-making. Also, this study comprises a comprehensive analysis of SWOT and provides insights for future developments within the market. It examines varied factors that contribute to the growth of the market by discovering the dynamic categories and potential areas of innovation whose applications may influence its trajectory in the upcoming years. This analysis encompasses both recent trends and historical turning points into consideration, providing a holistic understanding of the market’s competitors and identifying capable areas for growth.

This research report examines the segmentation of the market by using both quantitative and qualitative methods to provide a thorough analysis that also evaluates the influence of strategic and financial perspectives on the market. Additionally, the report's regional assessments consider the dominant supply and demand forces that impact market growth. The competitive landscape is detailed meticulously, including shares of significant market competitors. The report incorporates unconventional research techniques, methodologies and key strategies tailored for the anticipated frame of time. Overall, it offers valuable and comprehensive insights into the market dynamics professionally and understandably.