Japan’s Asahi Group is set to enter India’s non-alcoholic and non-carbonated beverage market through a franchise partnership with Varun Beverages Limited, one of India’s leading beverage manufacturers and the bottling partner of PepsiCo India.
Under the agreement, Asahi will introduce its popular CALPIS brand in India, marking an important step in the company’s expansion beyond its traditional beer-led business. CALPIS, a dairy-based beverage brand widely known in Japan, is expected to launch in India in the second half of 2026 or later.
The ready-to-drink product will initially be introduced in two flavours — Original and Mango — targeting Indian consumers seeking refreshing, non-carbonated, value-added beverage options. Asahi will be responsible for product development and technical support, while brand management and marketing will be handled by its local subsidiary.
Varun Beverages will manage manufacturing, distribution, and sales across India, allowing CALPIS to benefit from its strong production base and nationwide sales network. The partnership is expected to strengthen Varun Beverages’ presence in the emerging dairy-based drinks category.
Varun Jaipuria, Executive Vice Chairman of Varun Beverages, said the company sees significant long-term potential in the category. He added that the combination of Asahi’s global expertise and Varun Beverages’ manufacturing and distribution strength can help establish CALPIS as a leading beverage brand for Indian consumers.
The move also reflects growing interest in India’s premium, non-carbonated and functional beverage space, where dairy-based and fermented drinks are gradually gaining consumer attention.