Vivek A. Chougle, MD & Asia Business Development Director, EKA Pak Global (India) Pvt. Ltd.
As per the expert’s view, the share of packed sweets was just 2 percent by end of the year 2019. Have you witnessed a surge in the share of packed sweets in the year 2020?
Covid-19 has changed many perspectives and old ways. Before Covid-19, many consumers preferred loose mithai assuming it was fresh. After Covid-19, we have noticed that many consumers prefer packed mithai. Consumers expect packed mithai to be more safe and hygienic without compromising on the quality. Thus the brand owners that were ready to offer packed sweets have seen significant growth.
The sweets industry lost about 40-50 percent market during the peak months of the pandemic. What were the major reasons behind this?
The initial stage of the pandemic was very difficult for everyone. We hardly had any knowledge about how to deal with such a situation and everyone was feared eating outside foods due to hygiene issues. Additionally, because of lockdown & travel restrictions, artisans were not able to return back to work. So this combination of issues resulted in lower business, especially for the unorganized sweet industry.
Unable by Eka Global’s MAP technology, some of our customers leveraged their consumer doorstep reach (e.g. milk pouches) and supplied MAP sweets to consumers’ homes. E-retail of MAP sweets also saw big growth. Thus consumers could enjoy ethnic sweet sitting at their home.
Do you think it has become easier to convince (post-pandemic) sweets manufacturers for opting for different packaging modes for better shelf-life and increase food safety?
Post pandemic consumers are looking for food safety and hygiene. The importance of e-retail and other innovative delivery methods has also realized. Sweet manufacturers have noticed this change and are more willing to opt for Eka Global’s MAP packaging.
Please brief us about your company’s services to the sweets & namkeen sector and technologies and your recommendation for better packaging?
Eka Global (formerly Printpack India) is the global leader in the manufacturing of High Barrier Rigid Packaging. We have developed and introduced innovative Longevity Packaging to help consumers “live a healthier lifestyle”. Eka Global’s packaging is ideal for Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP), Thermal Sterilization (Retort / Pasteurization), aseptic Packaging, and HPP of food.
MAP substitutes atmospheric air with inert gas like nitrogen and carbon dioxide depending on the type of food. This technology significantly slows down the growth of microorganisms, biochemicals & enzyme activity to extend the shelf life without adding preservatives. This increased shelf life provides broader distribution, increases the variety of delicate fresh products & improved profitability. MAP typically increases the shelf life of food products by 4 to 8 times the normal life. Best results from MAP depends on the initial quality and hygiene of the food product, the gas mixture, packaging machine & packaging material.
Eka Global is not just a packaging supplier, but a partner for the growth of our sweets & namkeen industry. We support R&D trials through our R&D centers, provide guidelines on required machinery, and work closely with customers from concept to commercialization. Eka Global has long been serving the global food industry with a wide variety of innovative packaging that meets international standards for quality and food safety. Our Longevity Packaging can extend the shelf life of a broad range of products that best serve food manufacturers’ specific requirements and demands.
Demand for packed sweets and namkeens will further intensify in coming years, what are your preparations to cater to your customers?
Eka Global was the first to develop and commercialize advanced MAP technology for ethnic sweets and namkeens. By offering advanced technology, award-winning packing, and patented designs; we are all set to support the growth of the packed sweets and namkeens.
Our offering of a broad range of sizes and designs offers uniqueness to brand owners and delight to our consumers. Our technology not just extends the shelf life, but also protects the nutrition, so the sweets and namkeen industry can also leverage the nutrition benefits of ethnic products.
To support growth in the sweets and namkeen industry we are expanding our team of experts, adding production and distribution capabilities, and continue to introduce further innovative technologies.