FMCG firms and packaged food manufacturers are strengthening their vegetarian range for the international market targeting the Indian diaspora. They are setting up separate international vertical, scaling up warehousing capabilities and creating product lines to cater to these markets.
Companies say as more people opt for plant-based meal options, there is a latent demand in the overseas market for vegetarian range, both in packaged and ready-to-eat categories.
Godrej Tyson Foods (GTFL), the company behind the Yummiez brand, said it intends to increase its the footprint for vegetarian frozen snacks and plans to export it to Southeast Asian Nations and Australia. It currently exports to the UK, West Asia and the USA.
“We want to leverage our expertise with our vegetarian frozen food range in the international market. While the non-vegetarian products have certain restrictions on export, the vegetarian range offers huge scope especially for people who are turning vegan or vegetarian. Our main target is the Indian diaspora,” Abhay Parnerkar, CEO, Godrej Tyson Foods, said.
The company, which started exports to the US largely through a private label, said it will introduce its own products under the Yummiez brand.
“For the last few months, we have been focusing on what can be the opportunity for our brand in some international markets,” Parnerkar said.
Indian arm of Norwegian entity Orkla, which owns MTR Foods and Eastern Condiments, has specifically created an international business vertical to focus on the opportunities for its RTE and RTC segments.
Sanjay Sharma, CEO, Orkla India, said, “The international business will tap into the Indian diaspora with spices and condiments, and also vegetarian ready-to-eat products from the MTR stable”.
MTR and Eastern’s product portfolio’s are available in 42 countries.
Sharma said that Orkla India is the sixth-largest company within the parent’s portfolio, contributing 4% to total sales. “We expect to grow by 10-12%,” he said.
Vegan and vegetarian food products are becoming alternative food choices across the globe due to its fibre rich content and low cholesterol content.
Akshay Bector, CMD, Cremica Foods, said the company is also looking to increase the pie of its vegetarian range of mayo and sauces in the international market. “Currently, we are exporting to Europe, Africa, West Asia, the US and Australia, but in smaller quantities as their climatic conditions vary from us. However, we are investing significantly in R&D to create products that resonate with diverse palate,” Bector said.
ADF Foods, a manufacturer of prepared ethnic food, offering frozen foods, RTE items such as curries and rice, ready-to-cook items, chutneys, sauces, pickles, spices, pastes, dips and milk drinks under its eight flagship brands, including Truly Indian and Ashoka, in its investor presentation said, the company is ramping up its warehousing facility in the US.
“We have a combined 1,00,000 sq ft of area for warehousing and distributing operations shared among two warehouses in Atlanta and New Jersey. The capability enhancement with the building of new cold storage facility at the warehouse in New Jersey will help us carry out these functions even more effectively for our frozen products range,” it said.
Last year, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Authority (APEDA), had exported the first consignment of plant-based meat products from Nadiad in Kheda district of Gujarat to the US. These included momos, mini samosa and patties, nuggets, among others.
As per available official data, India’s exports of ready-to-eat products rose by 24% to $394 million in 2021-22 (April-October) compared to 2020-21 (April-October)
India’s export of final consumer food products such as ready-to-eat (RTE), ready-to-cook and ready-to-serve (RTS) under the APEDA basket has registered a significant growth in the last one decade and growing at a CAGR of 12%.