India Packaged Sweets Market Research Report and Industry Forecast

India Packaged Sweets Market Summary:

The India packaged sweets market size reached INR 7,268.0 Crore in 2024. The market is projected to reach INR 27,647.5 Crore by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 16% during 2025-2033. The market growth is attributed to rising demand for ready-to-serve sweets, increasing working population, growing consumer focus on hygiene, and improved availability through online and offline retail channels.

Market Insights:

• North India emerged as the largest regional market in 2024.
• Rasgulla and gulab jamun represented the largest product type segment in 2024.
• Milk and milk derivatives dominated the ingredient type segment.
• Boxes were the leading packaging type in the market.
• Own-brand stores accounted for the largest share by distribution channel.

Market Size and Forecast:

• 2024 Market Size: INR 7,268.0 Crore
• 2033 Projected Market Size: INR 27,647.5 Crore
• CAGR (2025–2033): 16%
• North India: Largest market in 2024

Packaged sweets refer to pre-packaged confectionery products that are available in various shapes, sizes, flavors, and packaging formats, such as boxes, plastic containers, and tin cans, depending on their physical forms and textures. They include rasgulla, gulab jamun, barfi, peda, soan papdi, ladoo, cham cham, and rajbhog. They also incorporate nutritional information printed on the packaging, which allows consumers to make informed decisions about their food choices. They offer a longer shelf-life as compared to non-packaged sweets and facilitate easy transportation over long distances. As per India packaged sweets market analysis, packaged sweets are easily available in supermarkets, convenience stores, and other retail outlets across India. 

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India Packaged Sweets Market Trends:

Changing Eating Habits in Urban India

The expanding food packaging sector, along with the increasing consumer consciousness towards food hygiene and cleanliness currently represents one of the key factors positively influencing the market in India. In addition to this, the rising working population, hectic work schedules, and shifting consumer preferences from traditional or home-cooked sweets towards packaged and ready-to-serve variants are strengthening the overall growth of the packaged sweets market size in India. Moreover, the inflating disposable incomes of individuals and the easy availability of packed sweets through both online and offline distribution channels are propelling the market growth in India. Additionally, the ongoing trend of gifting sweets as a part of Indian culture at social and cultural gatherings, such as weddings, and festivals, celebrations are fueling the market growth. Besides this, stringent regulations about food labeling and maintaining product safety during the packaging of sweets enables building of the consumer trust and influences their choices while purchasing. In addition, key market players operating in the country are introducing numerous organic, vegan, and lactose-free sweets variants for children and people with chronic medical disorders, such as diabetes. They are also focusing on nanofabrication and biodegradable and flexible packaging, which is one of the top trends in Indian packaged sweets 2025. Other factors, such as increasing investments in marketing strategies, such as social media promotion and digital display and banner advertising, expansion of the e-commerce sector, and improvement in the logistic sector are stimulating the growth of the market across India.

Shifting Lifestyles, E-Commerce, and Modern Consumption Trends

India’s packaged sweets market is being reshaped by changing consumer habits, rapid urbanization, and a preference for convenience over traditional preparation. Rising disposable incomes have made premium packaging and healthier variants, like sugar-free, vegan, or low-fat sweets, more appealing to urban consumers, in response to the growing India packaged sweets market demand. With busier schedules and smaller households, ready-to-eat sweets are increasingly preferred during festivals and family occasions. E-commerce has further transformed the buying experience. Today, mithai is being ordered online for birthdays, gifting, or office events, with doorstep delivery options that never existed a few years ago. Brands are now leveraging digital storefronts, influencer campaigns, and targeted ads to capture online shoppers. This shift is especially pronounced in metros and Tier 1 cities, where e-commerce sweets sales are growing steadily year-over-year. India packaged sweets market growth is also being fueled by increased consumer trust in hygienically packaged products. Many startups and established brands are offering customizable gift boxes with regional or fusion sweets, tapping into the festive and wedding season surge. Subscription models and festive pre-order campaigns are also gaining traction, especially among NRIs and young professionals. With logistics and cold chain improvements, even temperature-sensitive products like rasgulla and peda are now being shipped across states, widening the reach of organized players in this category.

Growth Momentum, Government Push, and Market Roadblocks

The India packaged sweets market share is benefiting from a range of growth drivers, including increasing nuclear families, festive demand, and organized food retail expansion. Government initiatives like FSSAI’s labeling mandates and support for MSMEs in food processing are also encouraging standardization and consumer trust. There’s strong opportunity in rural and semi-urban markets as cold chain logistics improve, and regional brands look to scale. However, challenges persist. Maintaining shelf life, controlling unit economics in low-margin SKUs, and competing with unbranded local sweets pose difficulties for many players. Smaller brands often struggle with packaging quality and distribution gaps. Rising input costs and regulatory compliance add further pressure. As per India packaged sweets market growth forecast 2033, balancing innovation with consistency remains critical for long-term success in this highly competitive, tradition-rooted category. To stay competitive, brands are also investing in automation, advanced packaging solutions, and product diversification. Collaborations with modern trade outlets and participation in food expos are helping regional players gain visibility, while premiumization continues to attract health-conscious and quality-seeking consumers across urban clusters.

Key Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each sub-segment of the India packaged sweets market report, along with forecasts at the country and regional level from 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on product type, ingredient type, packaging type and distribution channel.

Product Type Insights:

• Rasgulla and Gulab Jamun
• Barfi
• Soan Papdi
• Peda
• Laddoo
• Others

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the product type. This includes rasgulla and gulab jamun, barfi, soan papdi, peda, laddoo, and others. According to the report, rasgulla and gulab jamun represented the largest segment.

Ingredient Type Insights:

• Milk and Milk Derivatives
• Cereal and Pulses
• Dry Fruits
• Fruits and Vegetables
• Others

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the ingredient type. This includes milk and milk derivatives, cereal and pulses, dry fruits, fruits and vegetables, and others. According to the report, milk and milk derivatives represented the largest segment.

Packaging Type Insights:

• Boxes
• Tin Cans
• Plastic Containers

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the packaging type. This includes boxes, tin cans, and plastic containers. According to the report, boxes represented the largest segment.

Distribution Channel Insights:

• Own Brand Stores
• Convenience Stores
• Supermarkets and Hypermarkets
• E-Commerce
• Milk Outlets

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the distribution channel has also been provided in the report. This includes own brand stores, convenience stores, supermarkets and hypermarkets, e-commerce, and milk outlets. According to the report, own brand stores accounted for the largest market share.

Regional Insights:

• North India
• West and Central India
• South India
• East India

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North India, West and Central India, South India, and East India. According to the report, North India was the largest market for packaged sweets. Some of the factors driving the North India packaged sweets market included rising income levels of individuals, expanding e-commerce sector, improvement in supply chain, etc.

Competitive Landscape:

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the India packaged sweets industry. Competitive analysis such as market structure, market share by key players, player positioning, top winning strategies, competitive dashboard, and company evaluation quadrant has been covered in the report. Also, detailed profiles of all major companies have been provided. Some of the companies covered include:

• Banchharam
• Bikanervala Foods Private Limited
• Bikaji Food International Limited
• Bihar State Co-operative Milk Producers Federation Limited (COMFED)
• Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Limited
• Haldiram's
• Karnataka Co-operative Milk Producers Federation Limited (KMF)
• KC Das Private Limited
• Lal Sweets Private Limited
• Orissa State Co-operative Milk Producers Federation Limited (OMFED)
• Parag Milk Foods Limited
• Tamil Nadu Co-operative Milk Producers Federation Limited (TCMF)

Latest News and Developments:

• On March 6, 2025, Mumbai-based startup Healthy Mithai Co. raised INR 1.33 Crore (USD 160,000) in a Seed round led by Singapore-based BeyondSeed Venture Solutions. The company, founded in 2021, specializes in diabetic-friendly Indian sweets made with stevia and low-GI ingredients, offering up to 50% fewer calories than traditional mithai. The funds will support retail expansion in metro cities, product innovation, and brand building, aligning with rising demand for health-focused packaged sweets in India.
• On August 29, 2024, Motilal Oswal Private Equity (MO Alts) acquired a 25% stake in Bengaluru-based Lal Sweets for INR 330 Crore (approx. USD 39.5 Million). The investment underlines growing investor interest in India’s packaged sweets sector, where branded products are gaining ground over unorganized offerings due to demand for hygiene, consistency, and modern retail access. Lal Sweets' extensive distribution across 11,000+ retail outlets and strong e-commerce and airport retail presence makes it a key player in the India packaged sweets market expansion.
• On September 12, 2024, D2C brand GO DESi announced that it had achieved INR 60 Cr (approx. USD 7.2 Million) in revenue for FY24 and is targeting INR 75 Cr (approx. USD 9 Million) in FY25, highlighting rapid growth in the packaged sweets segment. The brand, known for reimagining traditional sweets like kaju katli and barfi with modern packaging and appeal, operates 31 kiosks and sells across 50,000 offline stores and multiple e-commerce platforms.
• On September 9, 2024, Yoova Foodstuff Pvt Ltd launched MithaLite, India’s first millet-based, omega-3 enriched sweet brand, introducing guilt-free versions of traditional mithai like Gulab Jamun, Peda, and Kaju Katli. The sweets contain 70% millet and vegetarian omega-3 from flaxseed, targeting health-conscious consumers seeking sugar-free alternatives without compromising taste. MithaLite plans to scale via a "shop-in-shop" model and expand into healthy cakes and ice creams.

Report Coverage:

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the India packaged sweets market from 2019-2033.
• The research study provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the India packaged sweets market.
• The study maps the leading, as well as the fastest-growing, regional markets. It further enables stakeholders to identify the key country-level markets within each region.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the India packaged sweets industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.