The India savory snacks market is experiencing rapid growth within fast-moving consumer goods segment. India is one of the world’s largest consumer of snacks, with an estimated 2.5 billion packets of savory snacks consumption every month. This growth is driven by evolving consumer preferences and increasing urbanisation. The market includes wide range of products including traditional namkeen, western-style potato chips, and extruded snacks. The sector is characterized by high-frequency consumption, with an average Indian consumer reportedly purchasing snacks 2-3 times per week. Furthermore, penetration of modern retail formats and online platforms are making snack foods more accessible to a broader audience.
What’s Driving the Savory Snacks Market in India?
- The growing digital retail expansion and e-commerce platforms are driving the market. As of 2025, share of e-commerce in India’s FMCG sales reached 11.2%. This growth is supported by rising smartphone penetration and digital payment infrastructure. Furthermore, increasing popularity of quick commerce platforms like Zepto and Blink It are catering the demand for instant delivery by delivering within 10-15 minutes.
- The changing lifestyle and rapid urbanisation are key driver of savory market. As of 2025, 34% of India’s population resides in urban areas. Thus, leading to changed dietary habits and growing preference for ready-to-eat (RTE) products. Additionally, over 70% of Indian millennials snack at least twice a day, contributing to the rising demand for innovative snack formats.
- The rising health awareness are encouraging consumers to opt for healthier snack options. As of 2024, 54% of Indian consumers are willing to pay a premium for snacks made with natural, and organic processed ingredients. This has increased demand of baked, low-calorie, and gluten-free snack options.
Market Competition
The India savory snacks market is highly competitive, with mix of established domestic giants and emerging local companies. The key players including Haldiram’s, Balaji Wafers, and PepsiCo dominates the landscape. Haldiram’s is one of the largest players and secured a near 10% investment from Singapore’s Temasek for about USD 1 billion in March 2025. Recently the brand launched premium product line for health-conscious consumers. Balaji Wafers dominates the regional sales in western region. The company plans expansion into southern and northern markets and doubling its production capacity by 2026. Meanwhile, PepsiCo remains a significant player with its Kurkure brand dominating the extruded snacks segment.
Stagnation in Consumption Growth
The India savory snacks market is facing a major challenge of stagnation in consumption growth. In 2025, the average household consumption of packaged snacks remained approximately 12.8 kilograms. Rising input costs have led manufacturers to reduce product sizes while maintaining price points. This has made snacks less attractive to price-sensitive consumers, who perceive diminished value in their purchases. Moreover, lack of new and exciting product offerings has led to consumer fatigue.
Future Outlook
The India savory snacks market is set to undergo significant transformations through 2030. The market will be dominated by health-conscious snacking segment, with 55% of consumers preferring snacks that are baked, low in fat, or enriched with protein by 2030. The increasing consumption of savory snacks in tier-II and tier-III cities will drive the market. Theses regions are expected to experience rising disposable incomes and changing dietary habits. Furthermore, integration of technology in production and distribution is also transforming the savory snacks market. The e-commerce platforms are expected to account for 50% of the snack sales by 2030, driven by convenience, personalized recommendations, and quick delivery options.
Consultant at Nexdigm In their latest publication “India Savory Snacks Market Outlook to 2030: By Product Type (Chips, Salted Peanuts, Fryums, Popcorns), By Pack Type (Pouch, and Others), and By Pack Size (Less than 50 gm, 50-100 gm, More than 100 gm)” believe that by investing in health-focused product lines and capitalising on digital and e-commerce growth, businesses can gain competitive advantage in India savory snacks market.