10 strongest FMCG local brands from India

In a country with over 1.3 billion people, it’s no surprise that the FMCG industry in India is booming. According to a report by Nielsen, the Indian FMCG sector is currently worth US$49.8 billion and is expected to grow at a rate of 11.2% annually to reach US$74 billion by 2021. While multinational brands like Unilever and Pepsico are omnipresent in the Indian market, there is enough room for homegrown brands to thrive and expand. There’s a rather dominating set of FMCG brands originating in India and are showing remarkable resilience against international competition. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the 10 strongest FMCG brands from India, based on factors like brand value, sales, and product quality. So whether you’re looking for laundry detergent or snacks, here are the Indian FMCG brands that should be on your radar.

Amul

Amul is an Indian dairy cooperative, based in Anand, Gujarat. Amul was founded in 1946 as part of the APCMA (Anand Producer Company Milk Cooperative). The brand name “Amul,” from the Sanskrit word for “priceless,” was suggested by a child who won a contest to name the new brand.

Amul is one of the largest food brands in India and sells a variety of products, including milk, butter, cheese, ice cream, chocolate, baby food, and more. Amul has been successful in large part due to its focus on quality products and aggressive marketing campaigns. In addition, Amul has built a strong distribution network that includes over 500,000 village-level dairy cooperatives.

In fact, Amul is one of the largest dairy brands in the world. We had covered it in detail on one of our past articles on ‘Most interesting local dairy brands across the world‘

Dabur

Dabur India Ltd is one of the leading FMCG companies in India with a turnover of INR 8,074 crore. It has a wide range of products in categories like hair care, oral care, health care, skin care, and home care. Dabur has a strong distribution network with around 6 million outlets across India. The company has been growing at a CAGR of 15% over the last 5 years and is expected to continue its growth momentum in the future.

Very few brands can claim to have an almost seamless presence across pharmaceutical, cosmetics and FMCG products. Dabur’s 138 year long history since its founding in 1884 has seen many ups and downs but the brand has stayed strong through several generations of Indians. Their brand of traditional immunity booster ‘Chyavanprash’ and ayurvedic toothpaste are considered synonymous with the product category.

Britannia

Britannia Industries Ltd. is one of the oldest and most trusted FMCG brands in India. Its history goes back to 1898 when a group of British businessmen founded the company. Since then the company has gone though many partnerships and management changes. BIL is currently owned by Wadia Group. It has a wide range of products including biscuits, bread, dairy, and snacks. Britannia is known for its high quality and affordable products.

Britannia Brand product portfolio | Image source: Financial Express article

Britannia has a wide range of products which include biscuits, bread, dairy, and snacks. Some of its popular products are Britannia Good Day biscuits, Britannia Tiger biscuits, Britannia Milk Bikis biscuits, Britannia Nutrichoice bread, and Britannia Marie biscuits.

ITC

ITC is one of India’s largest and most diversified companies, with a presence in nearly all sectors of the Indian economy. The company’s businesses range from cigarettes and other tobacco products to hotels, paperboard, and packaging. ITC is also one of India’s leading FMCG brands, with a strong portfolio of products that includes some of the country’s best-known brands such as Aashirvaad atta, Sunfeast biscuits, and Bingo! chips.

ITC has a long history in India dating back to the early 1900s, when it was founded as the Imperial Tobacco Company. Over the years, the company has evolved and diversified its business interests, but remains committed to its roots as an Indian company. ITC is headquartered in Kolkata and employs over 35,000 people across India.

Patanjali

Patanjali is an Indian consumer goods company founded in 2006 by Yoga guru Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna. It is the youngest of the conglomerates mention in this list and is an unique organization which is run by an ascetic duo at the top leadership. The company produces mineral and herbal products under the brand name Patanjali Ayurved. As of March 2018, Patanjali Ayurved had a turnover of Rs 10,561 crore (US$1.6 billion). The company has been ranked as the 15th most trusted brand in India according to the Brand Trust Report 2014.

Patanjali launching their brand of noodles | Image source: The Wire article

The company has a wide range of products which include food, beverages, health care, personal care, and home care products. Some of its popular products are Dant Kanti toothpaste, Honey, Chyawanprash, Keshar soap, etc.

Patanjali follows the ayurvedic principles and uses natural ingredients in all its products. The company has its own manufacturing units as well as 4000+ stores across India. It also exports its products to some countries.

Parle

There are many strong FMCG brands in India, but Parle Products is one of the strongest. Parle Products has been around for nearly a century, and it is one of the most trusted brands in India. Parle Products makes a wide range of products, including biscuits, cookies, snacks, beverages and confectionery. Parle Products is one of the largest employers in the food processing industry in India. The company has over 15,000 employees, and it has manufacturing units across India. Parle Products is committed to providing quality products at affordable prices to its customers.

Parle product portfolio | Image source: Rediff article

Parle Products has a strong presence in rural as well as urban areas of India. The company has a wide distribution network, and its products are available in over 500,000 outlets across India.

Defining factor their success has been strong marketing through television, radio, print, and digital media. The company also has a strong online presence, and it sells its products through its website and online retailers such as Amazon and Flipkart. Parle Products has a strong brand recall for particularly its iconic products like Parle-G, Monaco, Krackjack, Frooti and Appy.

Himalaya Wellness Company

Himalaya wellness product portfolio | Image source: Brand Equity article

Himalaya Wellness Company is one of the strongest FMCG brands from India. The company has a strong presence in the country with a wide range of products that cater to the needs of the consumers. The company has a strong research and development team that constantly works on improving the products and services. Himalaya Wellness Company has a strong network of distributors and retailers that help it reach out to the consumers. The company has a good reputation in the market and is known for its quality products.

Godrej Consumer Products

According to a report by the Economic Times, Godrej Consumer Products is one of the strongest FMCG brands from India. The company has a strong presence in the soaps, hair care, and household insecticides categories.

Godrej Consumer Products product portfolio | Image source: Marketfeed article

Godrej Consumer Products has a wide range of products that cater to the needs of Indian consumers. The company’s flagship brand, ‘Godrej No 1’, is one of the most popular soap brands in India. Other popular products include ‘Godrej Expert’ hair colorants, ‘Godrej Hit’ mosquito repellents, and ‘Godrej Cinthol’ deodorants.

The company has a strong distribution network with over 3 million outlets selling its products across India. Godrej Consumer Products also has a strong online presence and sells its products through e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart.

With a strong portfolio of products and a vast distribution network, Godrej Consumer Products is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for FMCG products in India.

Boroline

Boroline is an iconic Indian brand of ointment and cream products known for its healing properties. The company which produces Boroline, GD Pharmaceuticals was founded in the year 1928 by a Bengali entrepreneur, Late Gourmohan Datta with a vision to beat the English made cosmetics in the erstwhile colonial India. It is headquartered in Kolkata, India. The company has a wide range of products including skin care, hair care, and baby care products. Boroline remains one of the most trusted brands in India with a huge fan following.

Emami

With a turnover of Rs 8,195 crore in 2019, Emami is one of the fastest-growing FMCG brands in India. The company has a wide range of products including health care, skin care, hair care and personal care products. Emami also has a strong presence in the international market with its products being exported to over 60 countries. Emami has a very strong product portfolio with brands like Boroplus, Zandu, Navratna etc. which are household names in India.

Emami brand portfolio | Image source: Finpedia information

Emami has more recently expanded in the agro and food segment with cooking oils, soya and spices. It was founded in 1974 by Radhe Shyam Goenka and Radhe Shyam Agarwal. The group has shown tremendous growth in a very short span with their successful marketing campaigns and strategic acquisitions.

There, we have it. The top 10 most recognized FMCG brands hailing from India. Hope you liked this article. Please share and leave your comments below.