Top 20 Food Companies in India

The Indian food industry is an active and fast growing industry, and it is highly integrated with the culture, economy and the everyday life of the 1.4 billion Indians. It is an industry that is continuously evolving under the influence of the rich agricultural culture, evolving consumer preferences and a boom in innovation. The Indian food market is too huge to believe. The market size is projected to be colossal at $985 billion in 2024, which shows the huge potential that the market holds.

The food companies in India which is also a major part of this industry is on an upward growth path and is likely to grow to 535 billion by 2025-26. In addition, Indian food and grocery market is ranked as the sixth largest market in the world and retail represents 70 percent of the sales. It is not only a world to feed a nation but a world where economic opportunities develop and global food trends are influenced.

Significance of the Food & Beverage (F&B) Sector in India’s Economy

F&B industry is one of the pillars of the Indian economy and it makes significant contributions on a number of parameters:

• One of the Largest Sources of GDP: The food companies in India are one of the largest sources of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in India as it contributes to the manufacturing Gross Value Addition (GVA) at approximately 9.9 percent and to the agricultural GVA at 11.4 percent.
• Employment Generation: It is one of the greatest employment creators in the country, creating both direct and indirect employment to millions of people in the value chain, including farming and sourcing, processing, logistics, and retail.
• Motoring Agricultural Prosperity: F&B industry offers a critical connection between agriculture and manufacturing that results in consistent demand for agricultural produce and promotes diversification and value adding of crops at the farm gate.
• FDI: The sector has been a pull factor to foreign direct investment (FDI) with the open India policies and the huge market potential pulling international players to invest in the food processing infrastructure and the manufacturing capacities of India.
• Increasing Exports: Indian food and grocery exports have been in a steady growth pattern and the country is fast becoming an important global exporter of spices, rice, marine products, and processed foods.

Market Overview & Industry Stats

The food companies in India are defined as dynamic and robust. A young and an increasingly urbanized population with growing disposable income is creating a paradigm shift in the market. This has resulted in an increasing demand for branded and packaged foods, convenience products and more health friendly foods.

The structured food retail market is growing at an alarming rate with the supermarkets, hypermarkets and online grocery stores gaining popularity. The e-commerce and food delivery system has changed the way people get their food, providing unmatched convenience and variety.

The most important industry figures present an impressive growth image:

• The Indian online food delivery market is estimated to grow to 41.6 billion dollars in 2024, with a CAGR of 17.2 percent to achieve 96.9 billion dollars by 2029.
• Health and wellness food market is an emerging food market, and there is an increasing demand of consumers who are demanding organic, natural and fortified food products.
• Indian food industry The Indian dairy industry is a giant in the country and the largest milk producer in the world that still experiences solid growth.

Types of Food Manufactured in Indian Food Companies

The food companies in India are so varied, and it is able to satisfy a very broad range of tastes and preferences. The key ones are:

• Dairy Products: Milk, cheese, butter, ghee, yogurt and ice cream.
• Bakery and Confectionery: Breads, biscuits, cakes, pastries, chocolates and candy.
• Snacks and Savories: A huge collection of traditional Indian snacks (namkeens), potato chips and other snacks in packets.
• Beverages: Soft drinks, fruit juices, bottled water, tea, coffee and health drinks.
• Processed Foods: Frozen and canned food, ready-to-eat food, sauces, and condiments.
• Edible Oils: There are many varieties of cooking oils such as mustard, sunflower oil, soybean and palm oil.
• Grains and Cereals: Packaged rice, wheat flour (atta), pulses and breakfast cereals.
• Spices and Condiments: There are a lot of packaged spices, both whole and ground, and different masalas.
• Health and Wellness Foods: Plant-based substitutes, fortified foods, organic products and dietary supplements.

Top 20 Food Companies in India

Here’s a detailed look at the 20 leading food companies that are shaping the landscape of India:

1. Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL)

• Founded in: 1933
• Founder: Lever Brothers
• Headquarter: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Type: Public
• Website: www.hul.co.in
• Address: Unilever House, B. D. Sawant Marg, Chakala, Andheri (E), Mumbai – 400 099, Maharashtra, India.

Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) is among the largest Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) firms in India that have a history of more than 90 years. HUL is a subsidiary of the British multinational company Unilever and is ubiquitous in Indian households with its products reaching every Indian every nine out of ten times. The company has a huge product portfolio that cuts cross several categories such as food and refreshments, home care and personal care.

The intelligence of HUL about the Indian consumer, its wide distribution network that covers every nook and corner of the country, and its focus on sustainability and social responsibility are some of the reasons behind HUL success. The company is highly innovative and introduces a new product regularly and also modifies its old ones with the changing demands of the Indian market. Its food business is a major source of its total income.

• Core Products: Kissan (jams, ketchups, squashes), Bru (instant coffee), Brooke Bond (Red Label, Taj Mahal, Taaza tea), Knorr (soups, noodles), Kwality Wall’s (ice cream), Annapurna (atta, salt), Lipton (tea).
• Market Position & Revenue: It is a market leader in most of its product segments. The food and refreshment business of HUL is an important growth factor. In the financial year 2022-23, the company has registered a turnover of 60,580 crores.

2. Nestlé India Limited

• Founded in: 1959
• Founder: A subsidiary of Nestlé S.A.
• Headquarter: Gurgaon, Haryana
• Type: Public
• Website: www.nestle.in
• Address: Nestle House, Jacaranda Marg, M Block, DLF City Phase II, National Capital Region, Gurgaon – 122002, Haryana, India.

Nestle India Limited is an Indian based subsidiary of the Swiss multinational conglomerate food and drink processing company, Nestle. Nestle has been in the Indian culinary scene for more than a century and the company has a variety of products that cut across age groups and lifestyles. The company is known to be the synonym of quality, nutrition, and taste and is trusted by millions of consumers in the country with its brands.

Nestle India pays a lot of attention to research and development, and is continuously innovating in order to produce products that do not only taste good, but address the nutritional demands of the Indian population, which are changing. The firm believes in the value of Good food, Good life and its business in India is driven by the philosophy of creating shared values to the society.

• Core Products: Maggi (instant noodles, sauces), Nescafé (instant coffee), KitKat (chocolate), Milkybar (white chocolate), Cerelac (infant cereal), Nestlé a+ (milk and yogurt), Munch (chocolate).
• Market Position & Revenue: A strong competitor in the instant noodles, coffee and confectionary segments. Nestle India had 16,790 crores sales during the period ended March 31, 2023.

3. Britannia Industries Limited

• Founded in: 1892
• Founder: A group of British businessmen
• Headquarter: Bengaluru, Karnataka
• Type: Public
• Website: www.britannia.co.in
• Address: Britannia Gardens, No. 1, Airport Road, Vimanapura, Bengaluru – 560017, Karnataka, India.

Britannia Industries is a household name in India and is a very reputable food company with a history of more than 130 years. It is a household name and its products, particularly its various varieties of biscuits, are a part and parcel of the lives of millions of Indians. Among the top food companies in India, Britannia is a well-established player in the bakery industry with a wide range of biscuits, breads, cake and dairy products.

Quality, innovation and consumer satisfaction are the hallmarks of the company. Britannia also has a well-established distribution channel that means that its products are distributed in every corner of the country. The company has also been in the forefront of providing new and innovative products in the Indian market as tastes and preferences of the consumers change.

• Core Products: Good Day, Marie Gold, Tiger, NutriChoice, 50-50 (biscuits), Britannia Breads, Britannia Cakes, Winkin’ Cow (milkshakes), Britannia Cheese.
• Market Position & Revenue: One of the market leaders in the Indian biscuit market. The consolidated revenue of the company stood at ₹16,397 crores in the financial year 2022-23.

4. ITC Limited (Foods Division)

• Founded in: 1910 (ITC), Foods division established in 2001
• Founder: British-owned company, now a diversified Indian conglomerate
• Headquarter: Kolkata, West Bengal
• Type: Public
• Website: www.itcportal.com
• Address: Virginia House, 37, J. L. Nehru Road, Kolkata – 700 071, West Bengal, India.

The Foods Division of ITC is a very young yet immensely successful Indian food company. The division was launched in 2001 and has grown fast to emerge as one of the best food companies in India. The foods business of ITC is anchored on the core strength of the company in the agriculture, branding, and distribution. The product portfolio of the company is well diversified and it targets the needs of a large number of consumers, including staples such as atta and spices, snacks, biscuits, and ready-to-eat meals.

ITC has a reputation of being quality, innovative, and sustainable. The fact that the company has an e-Choupal project, an online interface that links farmers and markets, is evidence that it is keen on empowering the rural population and ensuring that the agricultural supply chain is more efficient.

• Core Products: Aashirvaad (atta, salt, spices), Sunfeast (biscuits, pasta, noodles), Bingo! (potato chips and snacks), Yippee! (instant noodles), Kitchens of India (ready-to-eat meals), B Natural (juices), Fabelle (luxury chocolates), Candyman (confectionery).
• Market Position & Revenue: A good competitor in various food segments, especially branded atta and snacks. The foods business falls in the FMCG-Others segment which has a revenue of 19,122 crores as of March 31, 2023.

5. Amul (Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd. – GCMMF)

• Founded in: 1946
• Founder: Tribhuvandas Patel
• Headquarter: Anand, Gujarat
• Type: Cooperative
• Website: www.amul.com
• Address: Amul Dairy Road, Anand – 388001, Gujarat, India.

Amul is a brand name that has echoed with the triumph of cooperative movement in India and the White Revolution that saw India change into a milk deficient country into the largest milk producer in the world. Amul is a bright example of what a farmer-centric business model can achieve in terms of value creation to both producers and consumers, having been owned by millions of milk producers in Gujarat. The brand is the name of quality, reliability, and low cost.

Counted among the most iconic food companies in India, the product range of Amul is huge and varied as it includes an extensive variety of dairy products, including milk and butter, ice cream, and cheese. The company boasts of a very strong distribution chain that makes its products accessible even in the farthest corners of the country. The marketing campaigns by Amul, especially the Amul girl, are a history of Indian advertising.

• Core Products: Amul Milk, Amul Butter, Amul Cheese, Amul Ice Cream, Amul Ghee, Amul Kool (beverages), Amul Masti (buttermilk), Amul Chocolates.
• Market Position & Revenue: The biggest food brand in India and the leader in the dairy industry. The turnover of GCMMF in the financial year 2022-23 was 61,000 crores.

6. Parle Products Private Limited

• Founded in: 1929
• Founder: Mohanlal Dayal Chauhan
• Headquarter: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Type: Private
• Website: www.parleproducts.com
• Address: Parle Products Pvt. Ltd., North Level Crossing, Vile Parle East, Mumbai – 400057, Maharashtra, India.

The name Parle Products has become part of Indian psyche, due to its famous biscuits brand Parle-G which happens to be one of the largest selling biscuits in the world. Parle has been in the lives of Indians of all walks of life since more than 90 years.

Counted among the most recognized food companies in India, the company enjoys a great market share in the biscuit and confectionery market with a big variety of products that are characterized by good taste, quality and low prices. Parle has a huge distribution channel which keeps its products available in every nook and corner of the country. The company has also managed to diversify its product to a wide range of snacks and candies, in order to meet the changing demands of the Indian consumer.

• Core Products: Parle-G, Monaco, KrackJack, Hide & Seek (biscuits), Melody, Kismi, Mango Bite (confectionery), Parle’s Wafers, Mexitos (snacks).
• Market Position & Revenue: A leading brand in the biscuit segment and with a huge market share. Being a non-public company, its current specific revenue amount is not publicly available, but it is estimated to be a multi-billion dollar company.

7. Marico Limited

• Founded in: 1991
• Founder: Harsh Mariwala
• Headquarter: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Type: Public
• Website: www.marico.com
• Address: Marico Limited, Grande Palladium, 7th floor, 175, CST Road, Kalina, Santacruz (East), Mumbai – 400098, Maharashtra, India.

Marico Limited is one of the largest Indian consumer goods firms that deal with health, beauty and wellness. Although the company is renowned in its hair care brands, food is also a major and expanding element of its business. Marico food products are health and wellness oriented and fulfill the demands of the contemporary and health conscious consumer.

The Saffola brand, a flagship food brand of the company is a market leader in the healthy edible oil segment and has been able to expand into a line of healthy foods. Marico is highly innovative and has led the innovations in the Indian food market by introducing new categories and products. The company has a well-developed distribution system and it is well represented in both the urban and the rural markets.

• Core Products: Saffola (edible oils, oats, masala oats, meal replacement shakes), Sweekar (sunflower oil).
• Market Position & Revenue: A healthy cooking oil leader. The consolidated revenue of Marico during the financial year 2022-23 was 9,764 crores.

8. Dabur India Limited

• Founded in: 1884
• Founder: Dr. S. K. Burman
• Headquarter: Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh
• Type: Public
• Website: www.dabur.com
• Address: Dabur India Ltd., Kaushambi, Ghaziabad – 201010, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Dabur India Limited is amongst the largest consumer goods companies in India with a heritage of over 138 years.The company is anchored on a philosophy of Ayurveda and natural healthcare and its products are relied upon by millions of consumers in their quality and efficacy. The food and beverage portfolio of Dabur is a major part of its total business and it has a variety of fruit juices, beverages, and culinary products.

Rial is the flagship food brand of the company that leads the market in packaged fruit juice. Dabur is highly research and development oriented and it blends the ancient Ayurvedic knowledge with the contemporary science to develop new and healthy products. The company also has a well-established distribution channel which penetrates to the depth of urban and rural India.

• Core Products: Réal (fruit juices), Hajmola (digestive candies), Dabur Honey, Homemade (culinary products).
• Market Position & Revenue: A market leader in the packaged juice market. Dabur India has registered a consolidated revenue of 11,530 crores in the financial year 2022-23.

9. Adani Wilmar Limited

• Founded in: 1999
• Founder: A joint venture between Adani Group and Wilmar International
• Headquarter: Ahmedabad, Gujarat
• Type: Public
• Website: www.adaniwilmar.com
• Address: Fortune House, Near Navrangpura Railway Crossing, Ahmedabad – 380009, Gujarat, India.

Adani Wilmar is an edible oil and food industry giant in India. The company is a joint venture between the Adani Group of India and the Wilmar Group of Singapore, and is well positioned in the entire value chain including the sourcing and processing, branding, and distribution. Fortune is the flagship brand of Adani Wilmar and one of the most popular brands of edible oil in the nation.

The company also boasts of a wide range of edible oils such as sunflower, soybean, mustard, and rice bran oil. Within the last few years, Adani Wilmar has diversified its products and currently offers a variety of food products, including atta, rice, pulses and sugar under the Fortune brand. The firm is quality oriented with an extensive distribution network covering India.

• Core Products: Fortune (edible oils, atta, rice, pulses, sugar), King’s (edible oil), Raag (edible oil), Alife (soap).
• Market Position & Revenue: Among the biggest manufacturers of edible oil in India. The firm made a turnover of 55,263 crores in the financial year of 2022-23.

10. Patanjali Ayurved Limited

• Founded in: 2006
• Founder: Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna
• Headquarter: Haridwar, Uttarakhand
• Type: Private
• Website: www.patanjaliayurved.net
• Address: Patanjali Food & Herbal Park, Village-Padartha, Laksar Road, Haridwar – 249404, Uttarakhand, India.

Patanjali Ayurved has disrupted the Indian FMCG industry and the food industry as well. The company was started by yoga guru Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna and has expanded at a fast pace to become an industry leader. Patanjali has a platform of Ayurveda, natural products, and a well-established positioning of Swadeshi (Made in India).

The company deals in a variety of food products, both staples such as atta and rice and non-staples such as juices, honey and biscuits. Patanjali products are well-recognized as low priced products with natural and herbal positioning. The company possesses a huge distribution network consisting of its own stores (Patanjali Chikitsalayas and Arogya Kendras) and collaboration with modern retail chains.

• Core Products: Patanjali Atta, Patanjali Rice, Patanjali Ghee, Patanjali Honey, Patanjali Juices, Patanjali Biscuits, Patanjali Noodles.
• Market Position & Revenue: A major participant in the natural and Ayurvedic food segment. In the fiscal year 2022-23 (with the inclusion of group companies), Patanjali Ayurved recorded a turnover of above 45,000 crores.

11. Mother Dairy Fruit & Vegetable Pvt. Ltd. 

• Founded in: 1974
• Founder: National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)
• Headquarter: Noida, Uttar Pradesh
• Type: Government-owned
• Website: www.motherdairy.com
• Address: Mother Dairy Fruit & Vegetable Pvt. Ltd., Patparganj, Delhi – 110092, India.

Mother Dairy is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and an important business unit in the Indian dairy and horticulture industries. Mother Dairy was created under the “Operation Flood” program that set out to make India a milk-sufficient country. Mother Dairy is a trusted brand because of its quality products and the company’s desire to do right by farmers.

Milk and dairy products form the core of Mother Dairy’s business, however it promotes the fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables business under the “Safal” brand. While Mother Dairy is focused on Delhi-NCR, it is expanding into other parts of the country. The business model is centred on providing a profitable market for farmers and quality products to consumers at competitive prices.

• Core Products: Mother Dairy Milk, Mother Dairy Ice Creams, Mother Dairy Ghee, Mother Dairy Paneer, Safal (fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables), Dhara (edible oils).
• Market Position & Revenue: Mother Dairy reported a turnover of over ₹14,500 crores for the financial year 2022-23.

12. Haldiram’s Snacks Pvt. Ltd.

• Founded in: 1937
• Founder: Ganga Bhishen Agarwal
• Headquarter: Nagpur, Maharashtra / Delhi
• Type: Private
• Website: www.haldirams.com
• Address: (Nagpur) Haldiram’s Foods International Pvt Ltd, Haldiram House, Plot No. 145/146, Sector-23, HSIIDC, Sonipat, Haryana-131029; (Delhi) Haldiram Snacks Pvt. Ltd., B-1/H-3, Mohan Cooperative Industrial Estate, Mathura Road, New Delhi – 110044.

Haldiram’s is synonymous with the Indian snacks and sweets. It started out as a very small store in Bikaner, Rajasthan, and has developed into one of the worlds largest food companies, with far-reaching reach into both India and span the globe. Haldiram’s offers a huge and extensive variety of traditional Indian snacks (namkeens), sweets and ready to eat foods.

Haldiram’s has grown in popularity because they deliver quality, taste and hygiene when making their products. Haldiram’s has uniquely combined traditional recipes and modern production practices to make highly consumable products that are enjoyed by people of all ages. Haldiram’s is a very retail successful enterprise, as it boasts its own chain of restaurants and retail outlets, in addition to modern retail bricks and mortar and online retailers.

• Core Products: A wide variety of namkeens (Aloo Bhujia, Moong Dal, etc.), sweets (Soan Papdi, Rasgulla, etc.), ready-to-eat meals, syrups, and papads.
• Market Position & Revenue: It is estimated to be well over ₹8,000 crores annually.

13. MTR Foods Private Limited

• Founded in: 1924
• Founder: Yagnanarayana Maiya
• Headquarter: Bengaluru, Karnataka
• Type: Subsidiary of Orkla ASA
• Website: www.mtrfoods.com
• Address: MTR Foods Pvt. Ltd., #81, 14th Cross, 4th Phase, Peenya Industrial Area, Bangalore – 560058, Karnataka, India.

MTR foods have a rich history that started with the legendary Mavalli Tiffin Rooms (MTR) restaurant in Bengaluru. The company has managed to convert its culinary skills into a very broad product line of packaged food products that are characterized by their authentic taste and quality. MTR Foods is the first company in India in the ready to eat and convenience food category.

The company also provides a wide range of products which include breakfast mixes, ready-to-eat meals, masalas and spices, snacks, and beverages. MTR strives to keep up the rich traditions of Indian cuisine and at the same time to make it available to the contemporary consumers. This has been further boosted by the acquisition of the Norwegian conglomerate Orkla to MTR Foods in 2007 thereby increasing the company market presence.

• Core Products: Breakfast mixes (rava idli, dosa), ready-to-eat meals (curries, rice dishes), masalas and spices, badam drink mix, vermicelli.
• Market Position & Revenue: The company’s revenue is estimated to be over ₹1,000 crores.

14. Cadbury India (Mondelez India Foods Private Limited)

• Founded in: 1948 in India
• Founder: A subsidiary of Mondelēz International
• Headquarter: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Type: Private
• Website: https://www.google.com/search?q=in.mondelezinternational.com
• Address: Mondelez India Foods Pvt. Ltd., Unit No. 2001, 20th Floor, Tower-3 (Wing C), Indiabulls Finance Centre, Parel, Mumbai – 400 013, Maharashtra, India.

Cadbury has been in Indian sweet celebrations since more than 70 years. The brand is now a subsidiary of Mondelēz International and without any doubt, it is the dominant brand in the Indian chocolate market. The famous brand of Cadbury Dairy milk is a household brand and is adored by both young and old. The firm has a wide range of chocolates, beverages and biscuits which meet a wide range of tastes and preferences.

Cadbury has a good brand equity, innovative marketing campaigns and large distribution network. The company has been able to generate new consumption occasions of chocolates and it has been instrumental in development of the chocolate market in India.

• Core Products: Cadbury Dairy Milk, 5 Star, Gems, Perk, Bournville (chocolates), Bournvita (health food drink), Oreo (biscuits).
• Market Position & Revenue: Mondelez India’s revenue was reported to be around ₹9,296 crores for the year ended March 2022.

15. PepsiCo India Holdings Pvt. Ltd.

• Founded in: 1989
• Founder: A subsidiary of PepsiCo, Inc.
• Headquarter: Gurugram, Haryana
• Type: Private
• Website: www.pepsicoindia.co.in
• Address: PepsiCo India Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Level 3-5, Pioneer Square, Sector 62, Gurugram – 122102, Haryana, India.

PepsiCo India is one of the largest players in the Indian foods and beverages industry, and it is a strong brand in both snacks and beverages segments. The company has got some of the most iconic and popular brands in the country within its portfolio. As one of the top food companies in India, PepsiCo India has gained a reputation for aggressive marketing and distribution policies, and its products can be found everywhere in the country.

The company has been leading in innovation and introduction of new products and variants in order to suit the changing tastes of Indian consumers. Sustainability is also a part of PepsiCo India, and it has been trying to develop several programs to minimize its impact on the environment and to pursue sustainable farming.

• Core Products: Pepsi, 7 Up, Mirinda, Mountain Dew (carbonated drinks), Tropicana (juices), Lay’s, Kurkure, Doritos (snacks), Quaker (oats).
• Market Position & Revenue: One of the market leaders in the beverages and snacks industry. The annual revenue of PepsiCo India was estimated at 6,047 crores as on March 31, 2022.

16. Coca-Cola India Private Limited

• Founded in: 1993 (re-entry)
• Founder: A subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Company
• Headquarter: Gurugram, Haryana
• Type: Private
• Website: www.coca-colaindia.com
• Address: Coca-Cola India Pvt. Ltd., Enkay Towers, Udyog Vihar, Phase-V, Gurugram – 122016, Haryana, India.

Coca-Cola is a globally well-known brand, and Coca-Cola India, a subsidiary based in India, is a leading brand in the beverage industry in India. Its product line is very diverse and includes a great number of sparkling and still drinks that suit different tastes and preferences. Among the prominent food companies in India, Coca-Cola India has an extensive distribution channel, which makes its products available all over the country. The company also focuses on water stewardship and has been trying different projects to restore the water it consumes in its activities. Coca-Cola India has managed to localize its marketing and product strategy to relate with Indian consumers.

• Core Products: Coca-Cola, Thums Up, Sprite, Fanta, Limca (carbonated drinks), Maaza (mango drink), Minute Maid (juices), Kinley (packaged water).
• Market Position & Revenue: A market leader in India beverage market. Its income is included in the worldwide reporting of The Coca-Cola Company.

17. Zydus Wellness Limited 

• Founded in: 1988
• Founder: Ramanbhai Patel
• Headquarter: Ahmedabad, Gujarat
• Type: Public
• Website: www.zyduswellness.in
• Address: Zydus Wellness Ltd., ‘Zydus Corporate Park’, Scheme No. 63, Survey No. 536, Khoraj (Gandhinagar), Near Vaishno Devi Circle, Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway, Ahmedabad – 382481, Gujarat, India.

Zydus Wellness produces health and wellness food, and personal care products in India, and is a major key player in the Indian health and wellness food and personal care market. The company has portended position of brands of which consumers have had trust on their quality and health benefits. Zydus Wellness is an innovative company recognized in the Indian market since it is the pioneer in category and products developments.

Counted among the growing food companies in India, another aspect that has made the company gain a stronger footing in the market is its acquisition of the consumer wellness portfolio of Heinz India, which comprised of the iconic brands such as Complan, Glucon-D, and Nycil. Zydus Wellness is well-distributed and is widely available in the urban and rural markets.

• Core Products: Sugar Free (sweetener), Complan (health food drink), Glucon-D (glucose powder), Nutralite (table margarine), Everyuth (skincare).
• Market Position & Revenue: An important stakeholder in the health and wellness food market segment. The revenue generated by Zydus Wellness as of the financial year 2022-23 rose to 2246 crores.

18. Emami Agrotech Ltd.

• Founded in: 2002
• Founder: R.S. Agarwal and R.S. Goenka (Emami Group)
• Headquarter: Kolkata, West Bengal
• Type: Private
• Website: www.emamiagrotech.in
• Address: Emami Agrotech Ltd., 687, Anandapur, E.M. Bypass, Kolkata – 700107, West Bengal, India.

Emami Agrotech represents diversified Emami group as the edible oil and bio-diesel company. The company is a market leader in Indian edible oil market with strong brands. Emami Agrotech draws a heavy consequence on quality and is a firm with state of art manufacturing facilities. The company market numerous edible oils such as mustard, sunflower, soybean, palm oil, and so on. Emami Agrotech has also, in recent years, entered the market of the branded spices and soya chunks, as it added to its food products portfolio. The firm enjoys a wide distribution network that spans in the country.

• Core Products: Emami Healthy & Tasty (edible oils), Himani Best Choice (edible oils), Rasoi (vanaspati), Mantra (spices).
• Market Position & Revenue: One of the main market players in the edible oil market in India. During the current financial year, the company registered a turnover of approximately 26,000 crores.

19. GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Ltd. (now merged with HUL)

• Founded in: 1958 in India
• Founder: A subsidiary of GlaxoSmithKline plc.
• Headquarter: Gurugram, Haryana (prior to merger)
• Type: Merged with HUL
• Website: N/A (Now part of HUL)
• Address: N/A (Now part of HUL)

Before being merged with Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) in 2020, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare used to be one of the major stakeholders of the Indian health food drinks market. Some of its most popular health food drink brands that the company carried were the trusted and iconic brands in the country like Horlicks and Boost.

These brands have a very rich and long history in India and are well synonymous to nutrition as well as taste. With the acquisition of GSK, the HUL Consumer Healthcare business has produced a strong presence in the Indian food and beverages industry. As one of the leading food companies in India, HUL now carries forward the legacy of these brands, continuing to serve millions of Indian consumers.

• Core Products (pre-merger): Horlicks, Boost (health food drinks).
• Market Position & Revenue (pre-merger): A health food drinks market leader. Its earnings have been absorbed under those of HUL.

20. Godrej Agrovet Limited

• Founded in: 1990
• Founder: A subsidiary of Godrej Industries
• Headquarter: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Type: Public
• Website: www.godrejagrovet.com
• Address: Godrej One, 3rd Floor, Pirojshanagar, Eastern Express Highway, Vikhroli (East), Mumbai – 400079, Maharashtra, India.

Godrej Agrovet is a research and development agribusiness firm. Although its major business is animal feed and agri-inputs, the company is expanding in the food industry. Dairy, poultry and processed foods are food businesses of Godrej Agrovet. Godrej Jersey is the dairy brand offered by the company, which is a dominant brand in the South of India. It has a poultry and processed food business which is under the Godrej Tyson Foods joint venture, providing a variety of frozen and ready-to-cook chicken products.

As one of the emerging top food companies in India, Godrej Agrovet is a value-driven company that is dedicated to innovation and sustainability and pays close attention to value creation to the farmers and consumers. The firm is in a good place to use its good agricultural connection to expand its food business in the next few years.

• Core Products: Godrej Jersey (milk and milk products), Godrej Real Good Chicken (fresh and frozen chicken), Yummiez (frozen snacks).
• Market Position & Revenue: A major player in the animal feed and agri-inputs industry and an emerging food business. The financial year 2022-23 saw a consolidated revenue of 9,374 crores by Godrej Agrovet.

Challenges in the Indian Food Industry

Although it has the great potential, the food companies in India are challenged by a number of issues:

• Fragmented Supply Chain: The farm to fork supply chain is fragmented and inefficient, which results in post-harvest losses, price fluctuation and difficulties in maintaining quality.
• Poor Infrastructure: Better infrastructure such as cold storage, modern warehousing and logistics should be developed to minimize wastage and enhance shelf life of perishable items.
• Regulatory Complexity: Food industry is faced with a complex regulatory framework at the central, state and local levels that may impose compliance burdens on businesses.
• Skill Gaps: Adequate manpower is lacking in the food processing industry especially in the field of food technology, quality control, and supply chain management.
• Intense Competition: The Indian food market is also very competitive and there are numerous organized as well as unorganized players who are trying to earn a share of the consumer wallet.
• Price Sensitivity: The Indian population is highly price-sensitive and this is another factor that forces companies to sell their products at the right prices but at no cost affecting the quality.

Conclusion

The food companies in India are at a very fascinating juncture. As the population is increasing, people have more money, and their lifestyles are changing, there will be an exponentially increasing demand of safe, nutritious, and convenient food. These companies featured in this article are leading this change and are innovating, generating value and defining the future of food in India.

The challenges notwithstanding, the intrinsic advantages of the industry together with the favorable government policies and the rising investments, present a bright picture of the industry in the future. The history of the Indian food industry is the history of taste, tradition and transformation and it is a history which is still in the making, bit by bit.

FAQs

Which is the biggest food company in India in terms of revenue?

Amul (GCMMF) is currently among the biggest food companies in India in terms of turnover according to recent financial reports.

What are the main trends in the Indian food industry?

The major trends are an increased interest in healthy and organic foods, the emergence of convenience and ready-to-eat food, the popularity of online food delivery, and more emphasis on sustainability and ethical sourcing.

What is the government’s role in the Indian food industry?

The Indian government contributes greatly by formulation of policies, regulation (via FSSAI) and incentives and support to the food processing industry in form of schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY).

Is the Indian food industry a good investment?

The Indian food industry is seen as a high growth industry and offers a large scope of investment due to good domestic demand, large and expanding market and government favourable policies.