Packaged food and beverage companies are preparing for a surge in demand as the festive season approaches, expecting strong growth in both urban and rural markets fuelled by positive consumer sentiment and favourable monsoons. To capitalize on the season, leading brands have ramped up their supply chains and launched new products, targeting double-digit growth.
Manish Bandlish, Managing Director of Mother Dairy, shared, “We are aiming for about 10% growth in the milk segment and 25-30% in value-added products. Our production capacities, product lines, and distribution networks are well-prepared to meet the demand during the festival season. Strong volumes were recorded during Raksha Bandhan and Janmashtami, and we expect this momentum to continue.”
Mondelez India and Parle have also introduced new products to capture the festive market, particularly in gifting and in-home consumption categories. Desmond D’souza, VP of Sales at Mondelez India, said, “We are optimistic about the festive season, driven by robust consumer sentiment and rising demand in both urban and rural areas. We are leveraging growth pockets with a diverse portfolio and best-in-class retail execution.”
Mondelez plans to drive premium category growth through Cadbury Celebrations, Silk, and Bournville gifting packs, with enhanced visibility on digital platforms and outdoor advertising. “Unique on-platform retail media innovations are helping increase brand consideration and boosting sales,” D’souza added.
Mayank Shah, Vice President at Parle Products, emphasized the role of a good monsoon in improving rural demand. “We anticipate strong traction from festival-themed products and marketing strategies, with quick commerce becoming one of the fastest-growing channels in key cities.”
Beverage companies are also preparing for the seasonal demand spike. Sundeep Bajoria, VP of India Operations at Coca-Cola India, noted, “We are well-positioned to optimize market opportunities across both traditional and emerging channels. Our price-pack architecture is designed to meet diverse consumer needs. Festive consumption and gifting are driving positive sales momentum, and we are ensuring 24×7 access for retailers to stay ahead of demand.”
With the festive season in full swing, brands across the packaged food and beverage sector are poised for significant growth, buoyed by strong consumer demand and strategic market preparations.