Emami Agrotech Ltd, the foods business arm of the Emami Group, has made a major push into India’s fast-growing packaged snacks industry with the launch of its new snack brand WeMe, unveiling a ₹750-crore investment roadmap aimed at building a ₹1,000-crore food business over the next five to seven years.
As part of the expansion strategy, the company will invest ₹400 crore in a greenfield food manufacturing facility in West Bengal, marking a significant step in its transformation from a traditional edible oils player into a diversified packaged foods company.
The proposed manufacturing unit, expected to be operational within the next 24 months, will produce both staples and snack products and become Emami Agrotech’s second production facility in West Bengal after its Haldia plant. The company is currently finalising the location for the project.
Initially, production of the newly launched snack portfolio will continue through third-party manufacturers, with manufacturing gradually shifting in-house as volumes grow.
Alongside the plant investment, the company plans to allocate an additional ₹350 crore towards brand building, marketing and business expansion, taking its total planned investment in the snacks venture to nearly ₹750 crore.
Leading the initiative is Vidula Agarwal, third-generation promoter and daughter of Emami Group Director Aditya Agarwal, who said the company aims to establish WeMe as a ₹1,000-crore brand over the medium term.
Strategic Shift Towards High-Margin Foods
The diversification reflects Emami Agrotech’s strategy to strengthen its presence in higher-margin packaged food categories.
According to the company, edible oils typically generate margins of 2–4%, while staples and spices offer 6–15% margins. Packaged snacks, however, can deliver significantly higher margins of 15–25%, making the segment an attractive long-term growth driver.
Company executives also believe expanding beyond edible oils will improve the company’s positioning in the food sector, as pure-play edible oil businesses generally command lower market valuations than diversified food companies.
WeMe Debuts with Regional Focus
The WeMe brand has been launched with an initial portfolio comprising potato chips, Jhuri Aloo Bhaja and chocolate hazelnut spread, priced at ₹10. The products will first be rolled out across Kolkata before expanding into other markets.
The launch builds on Emami Agrotech’s existing food portfolio under its Healthy & Tasty brand, which already includes edible oils, staples and spices.
The company views snacking as a natural extension of its foods business, enabling it to expand beyond kitchen essentials into impulse and convenience food categories.
Employment and Market Opportunity
The investment is expected to generate around 1,000 direct and nearly 3,000 indirect employment opportunities in West Bengal through manufacturing, distribution and sales operations.
Emami Agrotech is entering the sector at a time when India’s packaged snacks market is witnessing rapid expansion. The industry, estimated at over ₹50,000 crore in 2025, is projected to exceed ₹1.03 lakh crore by 2034, supported by rising disposable incomes, premiumisation, changing consumption habits and the rapid growth of quick-commerce platforms.
With the WeMe launch and substantial manufacturing investments, Emami Agrotech is positioning itself to capture a larger share of India’s evolving packaged foods market while accelerating its transition into a diversified food company.