Nestlé and Coca-Cola Hold onto Top Spots Amid Rising Competition from Chinese Brands

Nestlé retained its top spot as the world's most valuable food brand in Brand Finance's latest report, while Coca-Cola held onto its position as the leading non-alcoholic drinks brand.

The rankings, which cover the top 100 most valuable food brands and the top 50 non-alcoholic drinks brands for 2026, show that Nestlé has a brand value of $24.6 billion, up by 23% from last year. Coca-Cola's brand value, on the other hand, was down by 1% to $46.1 billion.

However, Coca-Cola has been surpassed by Chinese bottled water and tea brand Nongfu Spring in terms of 'brand strength'. Nongfu recorded a Brand Strength Index score of 89.8/100 and a prestigious AAA+ brand strength rating, while Coca-Cola ranked second with a score of 88.2/100.

Brand Finance noted that conditions are now easing for food and beverage brands, which have relied on price increases to navigate past inflationary pressures. The report highlights the growing importance of better-for-you positioning for today's brands, with successful players investing in product innovation, high-protein, and functional formats as consumers become more discerning and health-conscious.

The rankings also show that Chinese brands are gaining ground across F&B categories, with Yili retaining its position as the world's most valuable dairy brand. Mengniu is strengthening its position against Western competitors, valued at $6 billion, while Eastroc's brand value rose by 62% to $5 billion.