India Instant Food Market Overview, 2028

India Instant Food Market Overview, 2028

The instant food market in India has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, transforming the way people consume food in the country. With a diverse and bustling population, busy lifestyles, and a growing urbanization trend, instant food has emerged as a convenient and time-saving solution for millions of Indians. India is renowned for its rich culinary heritage and diverse regional cuisines. The instant food market in India reflects this diversity by offering a wide range of flavors and tastes, catering to the varied preferences of consumers across different states and regions. From spicy and tangy snacks to aromatic ready-to-eat meals, the market embraces the multitude of flavors found throughout the country. India has a large population of vegetarian and vegan consumers due to cultural, religious, and personal dietary choices. The instant food market in India has responded to this demand by offering a wide variety of vegetarian and vegan options. From plant-based snacks to meat-free ready-to-eat meals, the market caters to the specific needs of this significant consumer segment. Affordability is a crucial factor in the Indian market. The instant food segment offers products at various price points, making it accessible to a wide range of consumers. From budget-friendly noodles and snacks to premium ready-to-eat meals, the market caters to different income segments, ensuring that instant food remains an affordable choice for many. India has a rich tradition of snacking, and the instant food market capitalizes on this by offering a plethora of traditional snack varieties. These snacks range from crispy namkeens and savory chaats to sweets and street food-inspired bites. The market ensures that consumers can enjoy their favourite traditional snacks conveniently and without compromising on taste.

According to the research report India Instant Food Market Overview, 2028, published by Bonafide Research, the India Instant Food market is anticipated to grow at 8.23% CAGR from 2023 to 2028. Fusion and cosmopolitan cuisines are gaining popularity as customers' tastes become more adventurous and globalised. Instant food companies are launching new items that combine traditional Indian flavours with international inspirations, such as Indo-Chinese noodles, masala pasta, or Thai or Mediterranean-inspired flavoured rice dishes. This trend allows consumers to try different flavours while still enjoying the convenience of quick cuisine. Snacking habits have shifted, with customers favouring snackification of their meals. Instant snacks are consumed not just as stand-alone items, but they are also included in meal replacements or combined to make mini-meals. Nibble products with a combination of taste, nutrition, and satiety are being developed by brands, allowing consumers to nibble healthily and conveniently throughout the day. Street food is an integral part of Indian culinary culture, known for its vibrant flavors and unique preparations. Instant food brands draw inspiration from popular street food items and replicate them in a convenient, ready-to-eat format. This allows consumers to enjoy their favourite street food flavors without the need to visit street food vendors, capturing the essence of the bustling street food culture. Indian consumers have a deep-rooted attachment to their traditional flavors and regional cuisines. Instant food brands in India often incorporate authentic and familiar flavors into their products to cater to this cultural preference. From masala-flavoured snacks to ready-to-eat meals inspired by regional recipes, brands strive to capture the essence of traditional Indian flavors.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulate the production, sale, and import of instant food in India. Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011, this regulations govern the packaging and labelling of all food products sold in India, including instant food. The regulations require that all instant food products be packaged in a manner that protects the product from contamination and that the label provides clear and accurate information about the product, including its ingredients, nutritional content, and shelf life. Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, this regulations set out the standards for the composition, quality, and safety of all food products sold in India, including instant food. The regulations specify the ingredients that can be used in instant food, the levels of food additives that are permitted, and the methods of analysis that can be used to determine the composition and quality of instant food. The FSSAI has a number of enforcement mechanisms that it can use to ensure that the rules and regulations for instant food are being followed. These mechanisms include inspections, sampling, and testing. The FSSAI can also take legal action against companies that are found to be in violation of the rules and regulations.

Based on product, market is segmented into breakfast cereal, instant noodles & pasta, snacks, instant ready meal, desserts and others. Among them instant noodles and pasta is dominating the market of instant food in India. Instant noodles and pasta are extremely convenient and easy to prepare, requiring minimal cooking skills and time. They offer a quick meal solution, especially for individuals with busy lifestyles, students, or those looking for a hassle-free option. The simplicity of boiling noodles or pasta and adding the accompanying seasoning or sauce appeals to consumers seeking convenience. Instant noodles and pasta provide a versatile base that can be customized with different ingredients and flavors. Consumers can add vegetables, meats, sauces, or spices to enhance the taste and create a personalized meal. This versatility allows individuals to adapt the noodles or pasta according to their preferences, resulting in a wide range of flavor profiles. Instant noodles, especially brands like Maggi, have established a strong presence in the Indian market for several decades. Their early entry, extensive distribution networks, and effective marketing campaigns have contributed to their widespread popularity and brand recognition. Consumers often gravitate towards familiar and trusted brands, which have contributed to the dominance of instant noodles and pasta in the market.

The distribution channel of the market includes supermarket / hypermarket, departmental /convenience store, online store, and others (specialty stores). The market is majorly contributed by departmental/ convenience stores as they one of the major source for distributing instant food in India. Department stores and convenience stores are common in both urban and rural India. They are conveniently accessible to customers, with convenient location and operation hours. These stores are often open late, allowing customers to shop at their leisure, even after regular business hours. Department and convenience stores are popular places to buy instant food because of their accessibility and convenience. Department and convenience stores have a large range of rapid food goods, giving customers a diverse range to pick from. These establishments carry a variety of brands, flavours, and types of instant food to meet a variety of consumer preferences and dietary concerns. Customers who seek convenience and variety in their instant food are drawn to the vast product line. Some of the major departmental/convenience stores in India that distribute instant food include, Big Bazaar, Reliance Fresh, Metro Cash & Carry and many more.

Considered in this report:
• Geography: India
• Historic year: 2017
• Base year: 2022
• Estimated year: 2023
• Forecast year: 2028

Aspects covered in this report:
• India Instant Food market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Products:
• Breakfast Cereal
• Instant Noodles & pasta
• Snacks
• Instant ready Meal
• Desserts
• Others

By Packaging:
• Normal
• Frozen

By Distribution Channel:
• Supermarket/Hypermarket
• Departmental/Convenience Store
• Online Store
• Others (Specialty Stores)

The approach of the report
This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, and annual reports of companies, analyzing the government-generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers into regional aspects, tier aspects, age groups, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience:
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to the Instant Food industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.