Staple foods in 2024: The big picture
Overall staple foods in India continued to witness strong double-digit retail current value growth in 2024, with growth across all categories, driven by evolving consumer preferences, macroeconomic shifts, and regulatory interventions. While rising disposable incomes and urbanisation propelled demand for packaged and convenient food options, inflationary pressures on key commodities prompted cost optimisation measures by manufacturers.
Key trends in 2024
One of the primary factors shaping staple foods is the rising preference for protein- and fibre-rich products. Indian consumers are increasingly focusing on macronutrient balance in their daily diet, leading to a surge in demand for high-protein grains, fortified flour, and fibre-rich pulses.
Competitive landscape
The competitive landscape for staple foods in India has become increasingly dynamic, with legacy brands, new entrants, and private label vying for share. Established fmcg giants such as ITC, Nestlé, and Britannia continue to innovate by introducing nutrient-enriched variants and expanding into adjacent categories, such as plant-based dairy and fortified packaged foods.
Channel developments
Traditional offline retailers, particularly small local grocers, continued to dominate the distribution of staple foods in India in 2024. However, modern offline channels and retail e-commerce have been rapidly gaining ground, driven by evolving shopping behaviours and the growing penetration of quick-commerce solutions.
What next for staple foods?
Staple foods in India is set to maintain a double-digit retail current value CAGR in the forecast period. The industry is poised for transformation, with sustainability, affordability, and nutritional enhancement emerging as key focus areas.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Staple Foods industry in India with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to a comprehensive range of core packaged food categories.
If you're in the Staple Foods industry in India, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
The Staple Foods in India report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Staple Foods in India?
- Which are the leading brands in Staple Foods in India?
- How are products distributed in Staple Foods in India?
- How is the rise of e-commerce and/or the expansion of modern grocery retail impacting traditional retail?
- What are the key health and wellness concerns driving, or challenging, sales in Staple Foods?
- How significant are vegan and vegetarian dietary requirements in determining sales growth in India?
- How has COVID-19 impacted consumer demand? To what extent have lockdown, home seclusion and stockpiling boosted sales? Will the longer term economic repercussions of the pandemic stimulate or suppress future growth?
- Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
- How significant will values-based claims, such as sustainability and ethical labelling, be in supporting future growth and brand equity?
Staple Foods in India
Staple foods in 2024: The big picture
Key trends in 2024
Competitive landscape
Channel developments
What next for staple foods?
DISCLAIMER
Baked Goods in India
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Growth of hybrid baked goods: Fusion of Indian and Western flavours
Smaller local players gain ground with health-focused baked goods offerings
Growth of cold-chain logistics unlocks new channel opportunities for fresh baked goods
Rising demand for gut health-oriented baked goods signals a key avenue for growth
High protein baked goods to gain mainstream acceptance in the forecast period
Regulatory push for cleaner labels and transparency in baked goods ingredients
Breakfast Cereals in India
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Rise of high protein and functional breakfast cereals drives growth
Fragmentation in breakfast cereals, with premium and regional players gaining traction
Rise of online channels accelerates adoption of premium and hybrid breakfast formats
Scaling beyond metros will be a key focus going forward
Innovations in sustainability from ingredient sourcing to packaging
Rise of AI-driven personalisation in nutrition
Processed Fruit and Vegetables in India
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Growth of frozen and ready-to-cook vegetables continues
Competitive push through private label and smart pack size strategies
Diversified channel adoption driving growth of canned and jarred fruits
Increased penetration of processed fruit and vegetables beyond metro cities
Small packs will be used to encourage consumer trials
Innovation in sustainable and smart packaging
Processed Meat, Seafood and Alternatives To Meat in India
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Plant-based alternatives surge as health and sustainability take centre stage
Intensifying competition in processed meat and seafood drives innovation and premium offerings
E-commerce and quick commerce drive expansion
Expansion of alternatives to meat and seafood into the mass market
Growing demand for clean label and functional protein-rich meat products
Increasing penetration of processed seafood in non-coastal markets
Rice, Pasta and Noodles in India
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Competitive shift towards health-oriented pasta and noodles
Impact of government policies on rice trade and domestic supply
Rise of quick commerce and direct-to-consumer (D2C) sales channels
Rise of packaged rice as Indian households upgrade
Growing demand for regional and functional variants of pasta and noodles
Growing demand for value-driven family packs and everyday staples
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Staple Foods
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- Packaged Flat Bread
- Unpackaged Flat Bread
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- Packaged Leavened Bread
- Unpackaged Leavened Bread
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- Packaged Cakes
- Unpackaged Cakes
- Dessert Mixes
- Frozen Baked Goods
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- Packaged Pastries
- Unpackaged Pastries
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- Sweet Pies and Tarts
- Frozen Cakes, Sweet Pies and Tarts
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- Hot Cereals
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- Children's Breakfast Cereals
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- Flakes
- Muesli and Granola
- Other RTE Cereals
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- Shelf Stable Beans
- Shelf Stable Fruit
- Shelf Stable Tomatoes
- Shelf Stable Vegetables
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- Frozen Fruit
- Frozen Processed Potatoes
- Frozen Processed Vegetables
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- Shelf Stable Processed Red Meat
- Shelf Stable Processed Poultry
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- Chilled Processed Red Meat
- Chilled Processed Poultry
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- Frozen Processed Red Meat
- Frozen Processed Poultry
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- Shelf Stable Seafood
- Chilled Processed Seafood
- Frozen Processed Seafood
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- Chilled Meat and Seafood Substitutes
- Frozen Meat and Seafood Substitutes
- Shelf Stable Meat and Seafood Substitutes
- Tofu and Derivatives
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- Chilled Noodles
- Frozen Noodles
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- Instant Noodle Cups
- Instant Noodle Pouches
- Plain Noodles
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- Chilled Pasta
- Dried Pasta
- Rice
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Staple Foods
NOTE: Couscous, polenta and quinoa are excluded from staple foods.
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This report originates from Passport, our Staple Foods research and analysis database.
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