India Instant Noodle Market Overview, 2020-26

The curliness of noodles has fascinated the younger to older generation due to their prominent flavor and instant ready-to-eat food. The instant noodles category in India was, in a sense, created by Nestle with the introduction of their Maggi brand in the mid-1980s. The concept of ‘2-minute noodles’, positioned as a quick snack option for children, found acceptance with both the children and their mothers as well. Nestle dominated the instant noodles market with its brand Maggi for a long but the industry is now seeing a flurry of activity with new entrants stocking the shelves in past few years. Instant noodles have also emerged from being a snack food or an occasional, alternate eating option to a mainstream food item of choice featuring regularly in consumer’s grocery baskets.

According to Bonafide Research’s recent publication titled ‘India Instant Noodles Market Outlook, 2026’ the market has crossed a value of INR 5000 crore in the current fiscal year 2019-2020. Due to the pandemic wave, there was a sudden rise in instant noodles as people were doing work from home and many youngsters were stuck away from family. Instant noodles have been a helping hand for them. Available in a variety of tastes and packs, the market segment is loved by all age groups.

Nestle Maggie, ITC Yippie together captured 80% of the market of instant Noodles market of India. The majorly liked flavors of the prominent market players include, Instant Hakka Noodle by Chings, Masala Noodles by Yippie, Chicken Noodles by Maggie, Schezwan noodles by chings, etc are the prominent flavors of Instant noodles.CG Foods (Wai wai) is one of the popular brands in the Eastern region. It has been observed that more people from the eastern region accepting noodles as their comfort food.

Instant noodle is a category in which there is a role for packaging as well, and not just flavor. The instant noodles market in India is hugely dominated by flexible plastic packaging viz. Packet/Pouch Consumer preference for the use of convenient packaging and packaged products in affordable quantities is also one of the main reasons that have contributed to the growth of instant noodles in India. Cup noodles were initially introduced by Indo Nissin in the year 1991 but they were not much popular as there was no big player in this category to promote these cup noodles.

A growing millennial population and increasing customers who are working-class are driving the consumption of packaged food products, such as instant noodles, in India. Also, the companies have recently introduced several products, which are distinctive in terms of new flavors, healthy ingredients, and packaging. Depending on these factors, consumption of instant noodles has been increasing at a considerable rate in India, during the past few years. A large part of the population comes from the middle or lower-middle class. Therefore, price sensitivity plays a significant role in hindering the growth of the instant noodles industry across the country. Most people in rural areas are unaware of the various brands that are available unless they see them at their local store. Hence, the lack of a well-established distribution network acts as a challenge for the instant noodles market in India.

Considered in the report
• Geography: India
• Base year: 2019-20
• Historical year: 2014-15
• Forecasted year: 2025-26

Segments covered in the market
• By Category
• By Demographic Area
• By Company
• By Region
• By Sales Channel

This report would help you answer the following questions:
1. What is the market size and forecast of the India Instant Noodle Market?
2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the India Instant Noodle Market during the forecast period?
3. Which region outstands in the India Instant Noodle-Pasta-Soup Market?
4. Which are the segments to invest in over the forecast period in the India Instant Noodle Market?
5. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the India Instant Noodle Market?
6. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the India Instant Noodle Market?
7. What are the major company in the India Instant Noodle Market?

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