Advantage India
Growing
Demand
*Indian food processing market size reached US$ 307.2 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach US$ 547.3 billion by 2028, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5% during 2023-2028.
*In Q4 FY25, rural markets continued to outperform urban markets in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector, with leading players such as Dabur, Marico, and AWL Agri Business (formerly Adani Wilmar) highlighting stronger rural demand, particularly in food categories.
*As per CRISIL, India's dairy industry is projected to experience a healthy revenue growth of 13-14% in FY25, driven by strong consumer demand and increased raw milk supply.
Attractive
Opportunities
*Increased rural consumption presents an opportunity for expanding distribution networks in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
*The quick commerce market could reach between US$ 25 billion and US$ 55 billion by 2030, driven by an increase in high-frequency, high-value users.
*P&G views India as a profitable market driving mid-single-digit growth, supported by local production and R&D. P&G's India business crossed Rs. 17,094 crore (US$ 2 billion) in sales in FY24, competing with Hindustan Unilever while maintaining market leadership in sanitary napkins and shaving razors.
*FMCG giants are gearing up to capitalise on the heating Indian pet food market, driven by the rise in pet ownership and disposable income of owners.
Policy
Support
*The Union Budget 2025-26 provides a strong push to consumer spending, particularly benefiting the FMCG industry. The increase in disposable income, rural development focus, and MSME support create an ideal environment for growth.
*Union Budget 2023-24 has allocated US$ 976 million for PLI schemes that aims to reduce import costs, improve the cost competitiveness of domestically produced goods, increase domestic capacity, and promote exports.
*Union budget 2023-24 focuses on reviving rural demand by boosting disposable income, allocation to farms and higher fund allocation on rural infrastructure, connectivity, and mobility to create long-term jobs.
Higher
Investments
*Amul will set up the world's largest curd plant in Kolkata, West Bengal, with an investment of Rs. 600 crore (US$ 68.6 million), processing 10 lakh kilograms (KG) daily.
*Varun Beverages announced of investing Rs. 3,500 crores (US$ 421.69 million) to setup manufacturing plants, while generating 1,500 employment opportunities.
*In January 2023, ITC has announced plans to acquire 100% of Sproutlife Foods over a period of three to four years.
*Reliance Industries is focusing its FMCG strategy on India’s 600 million value-conscious consumers and aims to strengthen partnerships with local kirana stores by offering higher trade margins.
Introduction
The FMCG sector in India expanded due to consumer-driven growth and higher product prices, especially for essential goods. FMCG sector provides employment to around 3 million people accounting for approximately 5% of the total factory employment in India. The key growth drivers for the sector include favourable Government initiatives & policies, a growing rural market and youth population, new branded products, and growth of e-commerce platforms. Resilience needs to be the key factor in the manufacturing process, daily operations, retail and logistic channels, consumer insights and communication that will help FMCG companies to withstand the test of time and create more value for consumers in the long run. According to NielsenIQ, the Indian FMCG industry reported 11% YoY value growth in the March quarter, driven by a 5.1% volume increase and a 5.6% price hike, as rural growth outpaced the urban areas for the fifth straight quarter.
India’s direct selling industry achieved sales of Rs. 22,142 crore (US$ 2.58 billion) in FY24, reflecting a 4.4% YoY growth, as per the Indian Direct Selling Association (IDSA). Over the last five years, the industry has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.15%. The number of active direct sellers in India increased to 88 lakhs, with female participation rising from 37% in FY23 to 44% in FY24.
India's FMCG sector is predicted to experience a slight revenue increase of 100-200 basis points to 6-8% in FY26 due to rising urban and stable rural demand. The FY25 is expected to see 5-6% revenue growth, driven by volume increases and pricing adjustments due to inflation.
India’s FMCG sector grew 10.6% in October to December quarter of 2024, driven by strong rural demand and higher essential prices. Rural sales rose 9.9%, outpacing urban growth at 2.6%, fueled by government schemes and festive consumption.
Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector is India’s fourth-largest sector and has been expanding at a healthy rate over the years because of rising disposable income, a rising youth population, and rising brand awareness among consumers. With household and personal care accounting for 50% of FMCG sales in India, the industry is an important contributor to India’s GDP.
India is a country that no FMCG player can afford to ignore due to its middle-class population which is larger than the total population of USA. The Indian FMCG market continues to rise as more people start to move up the economic ladder and the benefits of economic progress become accessible to the public. More crucially, with a median age of just 27, India's population is becoming more consumerist due to rising ambitions. This has been further aided by government initiatives to increase financial inclusion and establish social safety nets.
Growing awareness, easier access and changing lifestyles have been the key growth drivers for the sector. The urban segment (accounts for a revenue share of around 65%) is the largest contributor to the overall revenue generated by the FMCG sector in India. However, in the last few years, the FMCG market has grown at a faster pace in rural India compared to urban India. Semi-urban and rural segments are growing at a rapid pace and FMCG products account for 50% of the total rural spending. In Q4 FY25, rural markets continued to outperform urban markets in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector, with leading players such as Dabur, Marico, and AWL Agri Business (formerly Adani Wilmar) highlighting stronger rural demand, particularly in food categories.
Market Size
Total revenue of FMCG market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 27.9% through 2021-27, reaching nearly US$ 615.87 billion. In 2022, urban segment contributed 65% whereas rural India contributed more than 35% to the overall annual FMCG sales. Good harvest, government spending expected to aid rural demand recovery in FY24. The sector had grown 8.5% in revenues and 2.5% in volumes last fiscal year. In the January-June period of 2022, the sector witnessed value growth of about 8.4% on account of price hikes due to inflationary pressures.
The size of the Indian pet-economy has significantly increased and is projected to rise from Rs. 89,743.5 crore (US$ 10.5 billion) in FY24 to Rs. 138,461.4 crore (US$ 16.2 billion) in FY32 at 5.65% CAGR.
Quick commerce is rapidly reshaping the online grocery market, now accounting for 70%-75% of total e-grocery orders, up from approximately 35% in 2022, according to a recent Bain & Company report. This surge is driven by strong execution, rising incomes, an expanded product range, and increasing consumer demand for convenience. Quick commerce has experienced substantial growth for FMCG companies in India, with sales increasing by 50-100% in FY25.
India’s alcoholic beverage (alcobev) industry is projected to record an 8–10% revenue growth in FY26, reaching Rs. 5,30,000 crore (US$ 61.97 billion), according to a report by CRISIL Ratings.
In 2024, India’s consumer spending was Rs. 2,08,51,200 crore (US$ 2.4 trillion) and is expected to rise to Rs. 3,73,58,400 crore (US$ 4.3 trillion) by 2030.
As per CRISIL, India's dairy industry is projected to experience a healthy revenue growth of 13-14% in FY25, driven by strong consumer demand and increased raw milk supply.
Indian food processing market size reached US$ 307.2 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach US$ 470 billion by 2028, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5% during 2023-2028.
The Union government approved a new PLI scheme for the food processing sector, with a budget outlay of Rs. 109 billion (US$ 1.46 billion). Incentives under the scheme will be disbursed for six years to 2026-27.
India’s FMCG sector has long been the top spender in the country’s advertising market, commanding nearly one third share Rs. 31,000 Crore (US$ 3.75 billion) in 2023 of the total advertising expenditure.
India includes 780 million internet users, where an average Indian person spends around 7.3 hours per day on their smartphone, one of the highest in the world. Number of active internet users in India will increase to 900 million by 2025 from 759 million in 2022. In 2022, India’s consumer spending was US$ 2,049.57 billion. Indian villages, which contribute more than 35% to overall annual FMCG sales, are crucial for overall revival of the sector. E-commerce now accounts for 17% of the overall FMCG consumption among evolved buyers, who are affluent and make average spends of about Rs. 5,620 (US$ 677.11 million).
The Indian e-commerce market is anticipated to grow from US$ 83 billion in 2022 to US$ 185 billion in 2026. By 2030, it is expected to have an annual gross merchandise value of US$ 350 billion. Fuelling e-commerce growth, India is expected to have over 907 million internet users by 2023, which accounts for ~64% of the total population of the country.
An early and widespread monsoon in India is expected to significantly boost rural demand and farm incomes, providing a much-needed fillip to the Rs. 5 lakh crore (US$ 58.50 billion) domestic FMCG market.
The market has grown exponentially over the past five years due to the surge in internet and smartphone users, improved policy reforms, and increase in disposable income. Mobile wallets, Internet banking, and debit/credit cards have become popular among customers for making transactions on e-commerce platforms. The total value of digital transactions stood at US$ 300 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach US$ 1 trillion by 2026.
The India online grocery market size has been projected to grow from US$ 4,540 million in 2022 to US$ 76,761.0 million by 2032, at a CAGR of 32.7% through 2032.
FMCG giants such as Johnson & Johnson, Himalaya, Hindustan Unilever, ITC, Lakmé and other companies (that have dominated the Indian market for decades) are now competing with D2C-focused start-ups such as Mamaearth, The Moms Co., Bey Bee, Azah, Nua and Pee Safe. Market giants such as Revlon and Lotus took ~20 years to reach the Rs. 100 crore (US$ 13.4 million) revenue mark, while new-age D2C brands such as Mamaearth and Sugar took four and eight years, respectively, to achieve that milestone.
P&G views India as a profitable market driving mid-single-digit growth, supported by local production and R&D. P&G's India business crossed Rs. 17,094 crore (US$ 2 billion) in sales in FY24, competing with Hindustan Unilever while maintaining market leadership in sanitary napkins and shaving razors.
FMCG giants are gearing up to capitalise on the heating Indian pet food market, driven by the rise in pet ownership and disposable income of owners.
Reliance Industries is focusing its FMCG strategy on India’s 600 million value-conscious consumers and aims to strengthen partnerships with local kirana stores by offering higher trade margins.
Investments
- From April 2000-December 2024, the food processing industry received Rs. 1,11,196.5 crore (US$ 13.01 billion) FDI.
- ITC Ltd. has announced a plan to spend Rs. 20,000 crore (US$ 2.39 billion) in the coming years to increase its production in areas like fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), paperboard, and other businesses.
- In July 2024, Chairman and Managing Director Mr. Sanjiv Puri said ITC Ltd. has come up with a Rs. 20,000 crore (US$ 241.55 million) capex plan for the mid-term to expand its capacities in fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), paperboard and other businesses.
- In February 2024, Varun Beverages announced of investing Rs. 3,500 crores (US$ 421.69 million) to setup manufacturing plants, while generating 1,500 employment opportunities.
- In October 2023, Unilever announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell Dollar Shave Club with completion expected before the end of 2023. Unilever will retain a minority shareholding of 35%.
- In June 2023, Skincare brand VLCC acquires men's grooming brand Ustraa.
- In May 2023, Reliance Retail Ventures completes acquisition of controlling stake in Lotus Chocolate.
- In January 2023, ITC has announced plans to acquire 100% of Sproutlife Foods (SFPL), a direct-to-consumer (D2C) startup and parent company of health food brand 'Yoga Bar' over a period of three to four years.
- In January 2023, ITC opened 59 acres food processing plant in Telangana, that will make in phases biscuits, chips, noodles as well as atta that ITC markets under its popular brands, including Sunfeast and Aashirvaad.
- In December 2022, Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) announced its foray into the ‘Health & Wellbeing’ category through strategic investments in Zywie Ventures Private Limited (“OZiva”) and Nutritionalab Private Limited (“Wellbeing Nutrition”).
- In October 2022, Tata Consumer Products renovates and rebrands TATA Q as TATA Sampann Yumside with a new and larger range of Ready to Eat and Ready to Cook offerings.
- The Government has allowed 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in food processing and single-brand retail and 51% in multi-brand retail.
- This would bolster employment, supply chain and high visibility for FMCG brands across organised retail markets thereby bolstering consumer spending and encouraging more product launches.
- ome of the recent developments in the FMCG sector are as follows:
- In July, 2023, GrowUp Farms, has launched Unbeleafable®, the first range of ready-to-eat salads grown in a vertical farm to be sold in a major UK supermarket after three products from the range were made available in selected Tesco stores.
- In January 2023, Hindustan Unilever Limited and UNDP announced the launch of an “Inclusive Circular Economy” project focusing on end-to-end management of plastic waste by promoting the segregation of waste at source, collection of the segregated waste.
- In November 2022, ITC collaborates with IIT Delhi to strengthen crop residue management programme in north India and to develop a Geographical Information Systems (GIS) tool to track, monitor and identify areas where stubble-burning is practised and where it is not.
- The top 10 advertisers on TV accounted for a 60% share of ad volumes in the year 2021 with HUL topping the list, followed by Reckitt Benckiser (India), and Brooke Bond Lipton India.
- In December 2022, Hindustan Unilever Limited announced its foray into the ‘Health & Wellbeing’ category through strategic investments in Zywie Ventures Private Limited (“OZiva”) and Nutritionalab Private Limited (“Wellbeing Nutrition”).
- In February 2023, women wellness brand Nutrizoe has introduced new flavours for its lactation-aiding bar Lactobites and nausea-inhibiting oral strips Nail the Nausea.
- In January 2023, Heritage Foods Ltd, one of India’s leading dairy players, has announced the launch of GlucoShakti, a whey-based instant energy drink that revitalises hardworking youth, when strenuous physical work drains them.
- In 2022, Britannia recently launched ragi cookies and five-grain digestive biscuits under its NutriChoice brand.
- In 2023, BCS Globals, a UAE based food & beverage company, forays into the Indian energy drink market with the launch of one-of-its kind brand Wox and plans to introduce a diversified product portfolio.
- In 2023, Inspired by Japanese beauty secrets, Keomi Beauty recently kick-started its journey in the Indian beauty and skincare space
Government Initiatives
Some of the major initiatives taken by the Government to promote the FMCG sector in India are as follows:
- The Union government approved a new PLI scheme for the food processing sector, with a budget outlay of Rs. 109 billion (US$ 1.46 billion). Incentives under the scheme will be disbursed for six years to 2026-27.
- The government's initiative to promote millets for its health benefits would increase the consumption and production of the millets in the nation. To support this, the government declared that the Indian Institute of Millet Research in Hyderabad will become a worldwide centre of excellence for the exchange of best practices, knowledge, and innovations.
- In 2022, Government announced that the food processing industry has invested Rs. 4,900 crore (US$ 593 million) so far under the PLI scheme, which was approved in March 2021, with a budget outlay of Rs. 10,900 crore (US$ 1.3 billion), likely to increase sales and exports of food products.
- A total of 182 applications have been approved under the PLI scheme for the food processing industry. This includes 30 applications for millets-based products under the PLI scheme (8 large entities and 22 SMEs)
- In 2022, a total of 112 food processing projects were completed and operationalized, leveraging the private investment of Rs. 706.04 crore (US$ 85.4 million) and generating direct and indirect employment for 25,293 people.
- To boost the food processing sector, the Centre has permitted under the Income Tax Act a deduction of 100% of profit for five years and 25% of profit in the next five years in case of new agro-processing industries set up to package and preserve fruits and vegetables.
- Excise Duty of 16% on dairy machinery has been fully waived off and excise duty on meat, poultry and fish products has been reduced from 16% to 8%.
- An amount of Rs. 1,000 crore (US$ 120.7 million) is being set up initially in NITI Aayog for SETU for setting up of incubation centres and enhance skill development to facilitate the startup ecosystem in the country while improving the ease of doing business.
- The governments’ incentives and the FDI funds have helped the FMCG sector strengthen employment, establish a more robust supply chain, and capture high visibility for FMCG brands across established retail markets.
- Union Budget 2023-24 has allocated US$ 976 million for PLI schemes that aims to reduce import costs, improve the cost competitiveness of domestically produced goods, increase domestic capacity, and promote exports.
- The government’s production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme gives companies a major opportunity to boost exports with an outlay of US$ 1.42 billion.
- GST is expected to transform logistics in the FMCG sector into a modern and efficient model as all major corporations are remodelling their operations into larger logistics and warehousing.
Road Ahead
Rural consumption has increased, led by a combination of increasing income and higher aspiration levels. There is an increased demand for branded products in rural India. On the other hand, with the share of the unorganised market in the FMCG sector falling, the organised sector growth is expected to rise with an increased level of brand consciousness, augmented by the growth in modern retail. Another major factor propelling the demand for food services in India is the growing youth population, primarily in urban regions. India has a large base of young consumers who form most of the workforce, and due to time constraints, barely get time for cooking. Online portals are expected to play a key role for companies trying to enter the hinterlands. The Internet has contributed in a big way, facilitating a cheaper and more convenient mode to increase a company’s reach. The number of internet users in India is likely to reach 1 billion by 2025. It is estimated that 40% of all FMCG consumption in India will be made online by 2030. E-commerce share of total FMCG sales is expected to increase by 11% by 2030. It is estimated that India will gain US$ 15 billion a year by implementing GST. GST and demonetisation are expected to drive demand, both in the rural and urban areas and economic growth in a structured manner in the long term and improved the performance of companies within the sector.
References: Media Reports, Press Information Bureau (PIB), Union Budget 2023-24
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