Buyer Briefing
4 min read · 734 words
330ml is the most common beverage can size because it evolved from the US 12oz (355ml) standard and was rounded to about one-third of a litre in metric markets. Aluminum dominates the can market thanks to its recyclability and light weight. Buyers should plan for supplier MOQs, long lead times, limited availability and the complexity of can printing.
- 330ml became the global default because of the US 12oz (355ml) can and metric rounding.
- Aluminum leads the market: about 96% revenue share in 2020, and around 70% recycled content in an average can.
- Three suppliers (Ball, Ardagh and Crown) dominate the market and set prices, timelines and MOQs.
- Keep roughly one extra month of can inventory to absorb lead-time swings.
- Confirm printing requirements with your can vendor before you order.
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Beverage cans are the most popular packaging in the industry, with the 330ml size being the global standard. This size evolved from the American 12-fluid-ounce steel can, which equals 355ml, a traditional size from canning peas. When modern two-piece cans arrived, Europe and Vietnam rounded the 12oz volume to approximately one-third of a liter, resulting in 330ml. Other common sizes include 150ml to 250ml for children's drinks and mixers, and 440ml to 500ml for larger beer and energy drink formats, driven by European demand. Regional habits also influence sizes, such as 8oz and 10oz cans remaining common in Venezuela to fit local vending machines. The global beverage cans market was valued at USD 35.72 billion in 2020 and is forecast to grow at a 5.1% CAGR from 2020 to 2028, largely due to rising consumption of non-alcoholic drinks among health-conscious consumers. Aluminum is the dominant material, holding about 96% of market revenue in 2020. Its advantages include high recyclability, with around 70% recycled metal in an average can, and being lightweight and stackable, which lowers transport emissions. Aluminum also provides excellent product protection by blocking light and oxygen, preserving flavor and extending shelf life. Three major suppliers—Ball Corporation, Ardagh Group, and Crown Holdings—dominate the global market, influencing prices, timelines, and minimum order quantities, or MOQs. Lead times for cans can be long and unpredictable, so brands should track production schedules closely and ideally keep an extra month of can inventory. MOQs are typically set by suppliers and depend on can size, as a full truckload holds different quantities for different formats. If MOQs cannot be met, ordering from a broker or reseller is an option, though usually at a higher cost per can. Can availability can also be an issue, especially with sudden demand for popular new formats, as seen in 2015 when Crown faced capacity issues. To avoid shortages, planning ahead, placing orders early, and building flexibility into schedules are crucial. Printing on cans is complex because all colors must be transferred in one pass from a common plate. Brands should discuss special requirements with their vendor before ordering to ensure color consistency, which is vital for brand assets. Understanding these aspects of beverage cans helps brands build a successful strategy for their products.
Cans are the most popular packaging in the beverage industry. Most beverage cans you see hold 330ml, so why that size? Is it how much we should drink, or is there another reason? This guide covers the history, materials, suppliers and sourcing challenges that beverage brands should know.
1. Why Are Beverage Cans Usually 330ml?
Before World War II, American beer was filled in steel cans that used a traditional size from canning peas. That size held 12 fluid ounces. The volume and diameter were kept when the modern two-piece can (a body and a lid) arrived in the late 1950s. 12oz equals 355ml, and it is still the US standard.
Europe and Vietnam use litres rather than ounces, so the size was rounded to about one-third of a litre: 330ml. It remains the most popular can size today.
2. What Are the Common Beverage Can Sizes?
Can sizes follow local needs and traditions:
150ml, 200ml, 250ml: children's drinks, mixers and slim-can premium drinks
330ml: the global standard for soft drinks, juices and beer
355ml (12oz): the US standard
440ml and 500ml: larger beer and energy drink formats, driven by European demand
Up to 750ml: specialty and large-format cans
Regional habits matter too. In Venezuela, 8oz and 10oz cans stayed common for a long time because they fit local cooled vending machines. VINUT's canned juice range includes 200ml slim cans, 250ml, 330ml, 350ml and 16.57 fl oz formats.
3. How Big Is the Beverage Can Market?
The global beverage cans market was valued at USD 35.72 billion in 2020 and was forecast to grow at a 5.1% CAGR from 2020 to 2028, according to Grand View Research. Growth is driven largely by rising consumption of non-alcoholic drinks among health-conscious consumers.
4. Which Is Better for Beverage Cans: Aluminum or Steel?
Aluminum is the dominant material, holding about 96% of market revenue in 2020. Its main advantages:
4.1 Highly recycled:
Aluminum cans are among the most recycled beverage containers worldwide, with around 70% recycled metal in an average can.
4.2 Lightweight and stackable:
This lowers transport emissions and improves storage and shipping efficiency.
4.3 Product protection:
Metal cans block light and oxygen, which helps preserve flavor and extend shelf life, reducing waste.
For more on recycling, see the Can Manufacturers Institute.
5. Who Are the Major Beverage Can Suppliers?
Many suppliers exist, but three dominate the global market: Ball Corporation, Ardagh Group and Crown Holdings. Because of their scale, they can influence prices, timelines and minimum order quantities (MOQ) across the market.
6. How Long Are Beverage Can Lead Times?
Lead times can be long and can change without much warning. Without enough lead time, production suffers and costs rise. To reduce the risk:
Track your production schedule closely.
Keep an extra month of can inventory if possible.
Confirm delivery windows with your supplier before each run.
7. What Is the MOQ for Beverage Cans?
MOQ is usually set by the supplier and depends on can size, since a full truckload (FTL) holds different quantities for different formats. If you cannot meet the MOQ, you can order pallets from a broker or reseller, but the cost per can is usually higher.
8. Why Can Can Availability Be a Problem?
Most can styles follow general standards, but sudden demand for a popular new format can limit supply. In 2015, Crown ran into a capacity issue and had to turn away smaller breweries. To avoid shortages:
Plan ahead and place orders early.
Follow trends in beverage packaging.
Build time and flexibility into your schedule.
9. How Are Beverage Cans Printed?
A beverage brand is one of its most valuable assets, so colors must stay consistent across packaging and markets. Standard printing uses four colors (cyan, magenta, yellow and black), applied as separate layers, while other colors come from overlapping them or from spot (PMS) colors. On cans, all colors must be transferred in one pass from a common plate, which makes the process complex. Discuss special requirements with your vendor before ordering. You can also explore VINUT's beverage packaging design tips.
10. Conclusion
The better you understand your container, the easier it is to pick the right one, whether aluminum cans, glass or plastic. Industry knowledge helps you build a strategy that supports your beverage's success. Ready to source canned beverages? Request the VINUT catalog or contact our team.
Related VINUT Reading
Top Trends in B2B Beverage Purchasing for 2026 — sustainable packaging and supplier selection
Vietnamese Beverage Brand Going Global — eco-friendly packaging
Green Tea vs Black Tea: Which Fits Your Beverage Portfolio? — packaging options for RTD drinks
Product pages: Soft Drinks · Healthy Drink
FAQ
Why are most beverage cans 330ml?
The size comes from the US 12oz (355ml) can, rounded to roughly one-third of a litre in metric markets.
What is the US standard can size?
12oz, which equals about 355ml.
Is aluminum or steel more common for beverage cans?
Aluminum, with about 96% of market revenue in 2020.
What is MOQ for beverage cans?
The minimum quantity a supplier will sell, often a full truckload. Smaller orders through brokers usually cost more per can.
How much extra can inventory should I keep?
About one extra month, if possible, to absorb lead-time changes.
About this article
The VINUT editorial team publishes articles about beverage ingredients, product characteristics, and practical information for readers and international buyers.
