Consumer goods firms step up packaged foods play as demand rises after covid-19

Packaged food launches are picking up as large consumer goods companies try to capitalize on the rising demand for ready-to-cook meals, snacks, edible oils, pulses, and juices amid a shift in consumer preference from unbranded to branded products since the outbreak of the pandemic.

- Suneera Tandon

With mobility restrictions in place during the pandemic, consumers switched to ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook food, which accelerate the adoption of packaged food. In general, cooking also took precedence as dining out remained suspended. The convenience of packaged food, and increasing household income prompted the consumer to move up the value chain, opting for better brands, and experimenting with flavours and food items.

As a result, the likes of Marico, Tata Consumer Products, Reliance, PepsiCo, and Britannia Industries stepped up new launches while others invested in ramping up capacity or buying regional brands to gain a bigger share of India's ₹3.6 trillion packaged food market.