[2025 Industry Report] Global Bubble Tea Trends & 2026 Strategic Outlook: Supply Chain Transformation & The New Retail Track

2025 marks a pivotal shift in the global bubble tea industry towards "OMO (Online-Merge-Offline)" integration and "Functional" ingredients. Through active participation in five major global exhibitions—ANUGA (Germany), SIAL (France), Expo West (USA), TuttoFood (Italy), and Food Taipei—Boba Empire (Empire Eagle Food) has identified the pulse of the market. This report outlines the core strategy for 2026: leveraging "Health-Conscious R&D" and "Retail OEM/ODM" to transform businesses from simple tea shops into diversified global brands.

2025 Global Industry Observations: Insights from Tier-1 Exhibitions

By synthesizing feedback from Germany, France, the USA, Italy, and Taipei, we have summarized three fundamental shifts in the international positioning of bubble tea:

1. The Shift to "Light Burden" & Clean Label

At Expo West (USA), the message was clear: consumers are no longer seeking extreme sweetness but are prioritizing "Clean Label" and "Low Burden" options.

• Product Correction: To meet the strict transparency requirements of Western markets, Boba Empire has successfully promoted Crystal Boba (Agar Pearls) and Reduced-Sugar formulations. These ingredients retain the signature texture while significantly lowering calorie counts, a crucial factor for passing health regulations.
• Natural Ingredients: The adoption of popping boba made with natural colors and plant-based powder bases has become the entry ticket for international retail chains.
  

2. The Premiumization Trend in Western Markets

Feedback from TuttoFood (Italy) and ANUGA (Germany) indicates that bubble tea is merging with boutique coffee and cocktail cultures.

• Fusion Strategy: Leveraging Boba Empire's R&D capabilities to combine local ingredients (such as Mediterranean citrus and spices) with premium tea bases allows brands to increase unit prices and achieve brand premiumization.
  

2026 Strategic Transformation: OMO Retail & OEM Innovation

Looking toward 2026, bubble tea will break free from the constraints of brick-and-mortar stores, entering the OMO era.

1. Retail-Ready Products are the Core of OEM

Relying solely on in-store cup sales presents a rising risk. Boba Empire is dedicated to helping brands and large chains develop competitive retail products:

• Innovative R&D: We provide design and development for Instant Boba, Microwaveable Boba Kits, and RTD (Ready-to-Drink) canned products.
• One-Stop Service: From content formulation and packaging design to production processes that meet international export regulations, we assist brands in rapidly listing on global retail giants like Amazon and Costco, creating a second revenue stream.
  

2. Supply Chain Digitalization & Educational Empowerment

Facing global operational challenges, supplying raw materials is no longer enough.

• Practical Training: We offer a comprehensive 5-day store internship combined with supply chain management training to shorten the learning curve for our partners.
• Automated Solutions: Through standardized modules, we ensure flavor consistency across global retail products and in-store beverages.
  

2026 Outlook: Four Key Strategies for Industry Leadership

Conclusion

The next decade of the bubble tea industry depends on "R&D Capability" and "Cross-Channel Integration." Whether you are a wholesaler seeking overseas expansion or a brand planning to enter the e-commerce market, Boba Empire offers the most forward-looking market insights and robust OEM support to help you secure a leading position in 2026.

Ready to transform your brand into a retail-ready product line?
[Contact Boba Empire consultants today!]