Snack market in India - statistics & facts
India offers an array of ethnic along with Western snack products. Earlier, many Indian households prepared traditional snacks at home to enjoy between meals or while traveling. Nowadays, changing lifestyles, convenience, and increasing disposable income have augmented on-the-go and ready-to-eat snack products. Moreover, the industry’s innovation for new products with unique tastes and flavors for the customers is influenced by the diverse food culture of India.
The market is dominated by both international as well as domestic players. The major domestic market players are Haldiram Snacks, Bikanervala, and Parle Products. However, Haldirams occupied most of the ethnic snack market share across the country. These brands have significant sales potential not only in India but also globally. On the contrary, Lays and Kurkure from PepsiCo and Cadbury are beloved international brands among Indians.
Even though over 40 percent of the savory snack market is unorganized, the organized players are expanding their market position. Numerous snacks represent regional specialties and propensity. While bhujias, kachori, and gajak (dry sweet snack) are the most favored north Indian snacks; chakli, banana chips, and murukku are popular in the southern region. Apart from this the famous sweet delicacies of eastern India such as rasgulla, rasmalai, and sandesh, and the crispy khakhra, dabeli, and bhelpuri (savory snack mixture) from western India are a treat for the taste buds. These snacks have their own distinct flavor and evoke a feeling of nostalgia, especially for Indian consumers.
The market is dominated by both international as well as domestic players. The major domestic market players are Haldiram Snacks, Bikanervala, and Parle Products. However, Haldirams occupied most of the ethnic snack market share across the country. These brands have significant sales potential not only in India but also globally. On the contrary, Lays and Kurkure from PepsiCo and Cadbury are beloved international brands among Indians.
Ethnic namkeen
For decades, bhujia has been the ultimate Indian snack. It is the most loved and popular namkeen in the country. In addition to being served with tea, it is also used as a topping for chaats (savory snack) and yogurt. The history of the famous bhujia dates back to 1877, originating from the royal palace of Bikaner in Rajasthan. The crispy snack was made from moth beans and gram flour and later fried in groundnut oil and seasoned with indigenous spices. The snack was served to Bikaneri royalty and their guests. Soon, the irresistible snack became widespread from the royal kitchen to the world. It is no surprise that Bikaneri bhujia and its variants are equally popular across the country and globally.Sweet and savory snacks
Any festive, holiday, or wedding celebration is incomplete without sweet and savory snacks, a vital part of Indian culture. As a result, the sales value of sweet and savory snacks was about six billion U.S. dollars in 2022. The sweets and confectionary items are readily available in open as well as packaged form. Besides, packaged sweets products have a longer shelf life. Soan papdi, gulab jamun, barfi, and many more packaged sweets are commonly available across the country.Even though over 40 percent of the savory snack market is unorganized, the organized players are expanding their market position. Numerous snacks represent regional specialties and propensity. While bhujias, kachori, and gajak (dry sweet snack) are the most favored north Indian snacks; chakli, banana chips, and murukku are popular in the southern region. Apart from this the famous sweet delicacies of eastern India such as rasgulla, rasmalai, and sandesh, and the crispy khakhra, dabeli, and bhelpuri (savory snack mixture) from western India are a treat for the taste buds. These snacks have their own distinct flavor and evoke a feeling of nostalgia, especially for Indian consumers.
