Nearly eight years after South Korean giant Lotte Confectionery acquired Havmor for Rs 1,020 crore, the 80-year-old Indian ice cream brand is making bold strides in the premium segment—by staking its claim on “real dairy” as its core differentiator.
“In a country that leads the world in milk production, consumers deserve to know what’s in their ice cream,” said Komal Anand, Managing Director of Havmor. “We’re doubling down on real dairy because authenticity matters.”
The Indian frozen dessert market, worth over Rs 30,000 crore, remains split between dairy-based ice creams and non-dairy frozen desserts. While the two often look and taste similar, the primary distinction is in the fat source—milk fat versus vegetable oil. With growing consumer awareness, brands like Havmor are positioning themselves as transparent players committed to genuine dairy.
Since its acquisition by Lotte in 2017, Havmor has ramped up infrastructure, leaned into R&D, and launched premium innovations. Its chocolate-led strategy—featuring bestsellers like Zulubar, Blockbuster Chocolate, and Shotties—has found a loyal base, especially during events like IPL, where chocolate flavors outsold all others at Gujarat Titans’ home stadium.
Beyond chocolate, the company is also leveraging Korean manufacturing technology to develop complex offerings like Krunch—a layered ice cream bar combining chocolate, vanilla, cookie, and syrup. “It’s unlike anything in the market,” Anand noted. “Hard to make, expensive to scale, but worth it for the premium segment.”
With upgraded plants in Ahmedabad, Pune, and Faridabad, Havmor is improving consistency and operational efficiency. Its expansion remains region-focused, with Gujarat as a stronghold and plans for selective national scaling via both retail and direct-to-consumer channels.
Anand emphasized that while legacy players like Amul and Vadilal dominate in volume, Havmor’s hybrid model—local taste expertise backed by global tech—gives it a unique advantage. “Aside from one or two multinationals, we’re the only ones who can offer this blend of tradition and innovation.”
As the market matures, Havmor aims to lead with real ingredients and innovation that speaks to India’s evolving palate—one authentic scoop at a time.