Bakery products are an item of mass consumption in view of its low price and high nutrient value. With rapid growth and changing eating habits of people, bakery products have gained popularity among masses. The bakery products which include bread and biscuit form the major baked foods accounting for over 82% of total bakery products produced in the country. The bakery industry in India enjoys a comparative advantage in manufacturing with abundant supply of the primary ingredients required by the industry.Major types of biscuit popular in Indian market are Glucose, Marie, Cream, Crackers ,Digestive ,Cookies and Milk .
Similarly Chocolates and Confectionery have also indulged the mankind, in its various tastes and forms, ever since it was first made. Chocolates means " Food of the God” (The scientific name of the Chocolate - cacao tree's fruit is "Theobroma Cacao" which means "food of the gods.").Consumers of all age groups prefer chocolate and confectionery products because of their attractive appearance and colour. Now-a-days varieties of products have gained importance due to their delicious taste and better keeping quality making a direct impact on demand. All of these delicious products range from fancy boxed chocolates to chocolate bars, baking chocolate to cocoa powder.
India is the world's second largest producer of food next to China, and has the potential of being the biggest with the food and agricultural sector. The Indian food Industry is a largest manufacturing Unit for bakery , Chocolates and Confectionery products in India. India is a major manufacturing house for bakery products and is the third largest biscuit manufacturing country after USA and China. Branded, Organized to Unbranded, Unorganized market share of biscuit has been 60% for organized sector and 40% for unorganized sector. The Indian bakery products especially biscuits are in great demand in developing countries. Major players in this sector like Parle, Britannia and ITC Foods have captured the markets to a great extent with Britannia holding the leadership position. In terms of value, Britannia and Parle account for around 38 per cent share each of the total volume of branded biscuits marketed in India. Other players like Priyagold, Anmol, Sunfeast, Biskfarm, Dukes, Cremica, Priya, Veeramani, Bonn, Bhagwati, Raja, Champion, Sobisco, Madhabi, Nezone, Windsor, Cookieman, Ankit, Shangrila, Nalanda, Unibic, Cookie Man, and RajaBiscuit are also in the cat race. The major players in the bread industry that holds about 90% of the market share includes Britannia and Modern Industries Ltd. The bakery Industry in India has witnessed an annual growth rate of more than 15 per cent during the past years. There is an immense growth potential in both global and domestic markets.
The Chocolate market is estimated at around 33,000 tonnes valued at approximately Rs 8.0 billion at present. Major Players like Cadbury India and Nestle and Amul and Campco have captured the heart of Indian chocolate market driving the industry with an impressive growth rate of almost 18 % annually.
The Indian confectionery market is estimately valued at approximately Rs 50 billion. The Indian confectionery market includes sugar boiled confectionery, hard boiled candies, toffees and other sugar-based candies. Sugar boiled confectionery had penetrated an estimated 15% of the households only, suggesting a large potential for growth. Substitution products, chewing and bubble gums are supported by MNCs major like Cadbury India) and Nestle and high powered advertising. Placed at about Rs 3,250 million, the gum and mint market is growing at a rate 10 to 15% annually.
The organized market is dominated by Parry and Nutrine, Perfetti India (Alpenliebe), Warner Lambert; General de Confiteria has made their presence felt in this sector.A large part of the confectionery industry in India comprise of the local subsidiaries of global confectionery majors like Perfetti, Lotte, Wrigley's and Cadbury.
The chocolate and confectionery category, the second largest packaged food segment, has been growing steadily in all regions over the last few years. Globally, chocolate confectionery is the largest sector in terms of value, accounting for almost 60 per cent of total sales.
