Deze studie van het FIT-kantoor in Mumbai biedt een helder overzicht van de Indiase markt voor chocolade en snoepgoed: de aanwezige spelers in binnen- en buitenland, hun portfolio, positionering, marktaandeel...Ontdek ook praktijkvoorbeelden hoe de markt te betreden. En lees ook meer over regels ivm douane en verpakkingen. Dit is slechts een verkorte versie van de marktstudie. Log gratis in op onze website en download de volledige marktstudie. www.flandersinvestmentandtrade.be
5. 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Competition in India is dominated by Cadbury’s, Nestle and Amul (referred to as ‘Top 3’ brands of
chocolates in the market) which account for 92% of the market share. Other foreign labels and
unorganized players constitute the remaining 8%. The unorganized market is highly fragmented. With
increasing urbanization, growth in disposable incomes, impressive growth in organized retail in recent
years, increasing brand consciousness among Indians, growing substitution of traditional Indian sweets
by chocolates and growing health consciousness have contributed to an increase in the per capita
consumption of chocolates in recent times. Even though the per capita consumption is still very low at
70 grams as compared to 10.5 Kilograms in Europe and 5 Kilograms in USA, trends indicate that Asia
Pacific in general and India in particular would lead growth rates in this segment. Majority of the
foreign brands have focused on the premium segment and operate either through exclusive stores or
through large retail chains while Indian brands predominantly operate through organized retail chains
and an extensive network of ‘kirana’ (mom and pop convenience stores). Foreign labels (other than
Cadburys and Nestle) have generally adopted a ‘low key’ but a focused promotional strategy (through
‘in store’ marketing) rather than a ‘Big Bang’ advertising strategy through electronic media using
celebrities which have predominantly been the strategy of companies like Cadbury and Nestle.
The Indian ‘mass consumption’ market is highly price sensitive. The complexity in customer preferences
and the challenges associated with the creation of a distribution network require foreign chocolate
brands aspiring to build business in India to have a ‘long term focus. The ‘Top 3’ companies have built
their leadership position in India by making their products affordable and available, on an all-India
basis, through sustained efforts over the last 4 decades. Other foreign players have tended to focus on
the small but fast growing high income, urban households through niche and premium product
offerings, which offer smaller volumes but better pricing.
The ‘Market Check’ section of this report indicates the price range at which various brands are sold at
retail stores. It is evident from the comparison that the prices of foreign labels are higher than the
brands sold by Top 3, because they are generally imported, have a superior focus on quality, a strong
brand recall and a ‘premium’ association in the minds of consumers.
Foreign labels in India that have been successful in the past and continues to penetrate the market
have been through partnerships with reputed importer (distributor) and/or selling their brands through
large retail chains or by setting up of exclusive flagship stores. Companies who have been in a position
to capture substantial market share over a period of time have later on moved on to a manufacturing
setup in India to cater to the consumer.
Mumbai,
August 2013
The Chocolate Market in India ________________________________________________________________________________ 5
6. 2. SCOPE OF OUR STUDY
The scope of the report is to understand the domestic chocolate/confectionery market including
competition in the form of domestic and foreign brands/labels already in India, their product portfolio,
current market shares, segmentation, positioning, advertising and promotional strategies, distribution
channels etc. The study also involves visiting select stores in Mumbai selling some of the leading
chocolate brands and to help Belgian Companies understand the price range along with mandatory
information that needs to be displayed on the package or labels of chocolates.
3. METHODOLOGY
The study involves desk based research (Company websites, Press Releases and Reports) and collection
of data through visit to stores in Mumbai and conversations with importers/distributors of foreign
labels in India. India being a large country with relatively low penetration and incomplete availability of
organized data, it is important for companies to understand that there is an element of ‘subjectivity’ in
this report. The key findings and recommendations need to be considered in this context before taking
major decisions with respect to India.
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7. 4. MARKET OVERVIEW
India is the fastest growing market globally for chocolate, posting the largest increase in volume sales
with 21% growth between 2008 and 2011. Chocolate consumption in India has almost doubled since
2008, with sales of chocolate increasing from $418 million in 2008 to $857 million in 2011. Volume has
grown strongly too in the past few years, to reach 88,000 tons in 2011, up from 50,000 tons in 2008.
This equates to a per capita consumption of 70 grams in 2011, up from 40 grams in 2008.
While domestic consumption in India is currently low if compared with other mature markets, such as
Germany at 8 kilograms per head, or the U.K. and France at 6 kilograms respectively, there is huge
potential for the Indian chocolate market to grow even further.
Chocolate consumption in India has seen an incredible growth rate in the past few years, especially in
urban and semi-urban areas. Until few years ago, chocolate confectionery was considered a premium in
comparison to sugar and gum confectionery, but major players in the market have found channels to
manufacture and distribute their products at more affordable prices than before. This has given the
Indian consumer an array of choices whilst giving manufacturers a level game field to compete,
especially in the premium and affordable premium segments.
The chocolate confectionery industry has been quick to respond to this untapped market opportunity.
Looking at new product launches in India, premiumization as a claim has seen a 100% growth over the
last three years, from 4% of launches in 2008 to 6% in 2011. Also, seasonal launches have proven to be
particularly dynamic across the market, with a 300% increase between 2008 and 2011, accounting for
7% of total launches in 2011 vs. 2% in 2008.
Consumers are trading up to luxury and premium chocolate, which has given an opportunity to
international brands to enter the Indian market and increase their penetration by creating an
affordable premium space for the aspirers. Many Indian consumers consider chocolate assortment
boxes to be premium and to be more hygienic and longer-lasting than traditional Indian sweets. This
mindset has contributed to increased sales as the popularity of seasonal gifting of chocolate,
particularly during Diwali, has grown in recent years.
However, all is not as sweet as it appears. The chocolate confectionery market in India is facing
challenges, such as keeping costs low for mass markets and health issues. The key challenges that the
chocolate market is facing in India are inflationary pressures on raw material prices, lack of government
initiative, high entry barriers due to duopolistic markets and price-sensitive consumers. Rising sugar and
cocoa prices are also putting pressure on companies to innovate with ingredients and packaging to
offer better prices for the mass market.
Moreover, as the chocolate confectionery category suffers from being associated with negative health,
brands are working to manage this perception and introduce elements of enhanced health messaging.
Indeed, according to latest research, new product development with antioxidant claims grew 400% in
the past four years (2008-2011) and low/no/reduced trans-fat, low/no/reduced calorie and diabetic
claims all posted 200% growth in the same period, suggesting that the prospects for market growth in
this segment are very positive.
While the Indian chocolate confectionery industry is thriving, more mature chocolate markets across
Europe are experiencing a slowdown. For example, in Germany volume consumption declined from
770,000 tons in 2008 to 700,000 tons in 2011, and in the U.K. it fell from 362,000 tons in 2008 to
350,000 tons in 2011. Other key markets for the chocolate confectionery industry posted steady but
slow growth, as for example in Italy where the market grew from 98,000 tons in 2008 to 104,000 tons in
2011.
India is a major focus of interest for chocolate confectionery manufacturers as the more mature
western markets begin to slow. Major players, including Cadbury, Nestle, and Amul, are making efforts
to establish a strong presence in the Indian market.
The Chocolate Market in India ________________________________________________________________________________ 7