Hindustan Foods Limited (HFL) has officially commenced Phase 1 operations at its new ice cream manufacturing facility in Nashik, marking a significant step in the company’s strategic expansion within the frozen desserts segment.
The new plant enhances HFL’s capabilities as a leading contract manufacturer, allowing it to cater to a broad spectrum of clients — from legacy brands to emerging players — with a diverse portfolio of ice cream products. The move aligns with the company’s broader plan to scale operations and meet growing demand across both traditional retail and new-age channels.
“We are preparing for the upcoming season with a strong focus on operational readiness in our ice cream business,” said Manoj Patani, President – Ice Cream Division, Hindustan Foods. “The Indian ice cream market is currently valued at approximately ₹30,000 crore and is witnessing annual growth of over 15%.”
According to Patani, key growth drivers include rapid urbanization, rising disposable incomes, evolving consumer preferences, and the proliferation of quick commerce platforms that offer cold chain-enabled deliveries.
Strategic Expansion and Future Plans
The Nashik facility marks an important milestone in HFL’s strategy to become a go-to manufacturing partner in the ice cream space. The company is also pursuing backward integration initiatives to improve supply chain efficiency and is working to broaden its product range to meet evolving client requirements.
With the new plant now operational, HFL aims to improve speed-to-market for seasonal launches, enhance customization capabilities, and strengthen partnerships with both established FMCG majors and D2C brands entering the frozen dessert category.
The Nashik plant is expected to play a key role in bolstering HFL’s presence in western India and supporting its nationwide manufacturing footprint.