Smart snacking grows 1.2 times faster than traditional snacks in India
As urban consumers increasingly seek health-oriented products, smart snacking in India has grown 1.2 times faster than traditional snacks, according to a report on Tuesday.
About 63 per cent of surveyed consumers seek innovative and healthy snacking options while 50 per cent read ingredient labels to understand nutritional value,' according to the report by consumer intelligence company NielsenIQ (NIQ).
One in five snacks now has a health connotation in the country. "This segment is growing 1.2 times faster than traditional snacks in terms of value, presenting opportunities for brands to innovate in health-focused products and leverage the consumption trend,' said Sonika Gupta, Executive Director, Customer Success-India at NIQ.
In consumer tech, the trend toward health-focused products is evident. Fitness wearables experienced a 59 per cent volume growth, while hot air fryers grew by more than 100 per cent, signalling broader health-conscious behaviour.
India's snack and confectionery industry ranks second in market size across Asia-Pacific, is transforming as urban consumers increasingly seek health-oriented products.
The rise in lifestyle diseases has driven Indian consumers to opt for snacks that align with their health goals.
Study showed that 84 per cent of surveyed urban Indian consumers exercise daily or regularly to keep fit and 48 per cent use a fitness or exercise app.
Smaller, emerging players are challenging established players with competitive offerings, with single-serve packs driving demand and growing 60 per cent faster in smart snacking due to mainstream pricing strategies.
The smart snacking segment's growth is fuelled by consumption rates twice that of the general snacks market.
The consumption preference is driven by small convenient pack sizes that have demonstrated 60 per cent higher growth compared to traditional small packs in the snacking space.
Notably, Smart Snacking has been growing at 16 per cent in terms of value, but recent trends show a slowdown in count of new innovations and product launches, said the report.
Indo-Asian News Service
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arabian Post
34 minutes ago
- Arabian Post
India Becomes Crucial Node in Apple's Tariff-Battling Export Strategy
Foxconn's latest customs data confirms that from 1 March to 31 May 2025, an overwhelming 97 per cent of all iPhones assembled in India were destined for the United States, totalling $3.2 billion in exports—nearly double the 50 per cent average seen throughout 2024. May alone accounted for almost $1 billion, the second‑highest monthly export value ever recorded—just behind March's $1.3 billion. This sharp shift reflects Apple's concerted effort to navigate escalating U.S. tariffs targeting Chinese exports, under a policy framework that now imposes 55 per cent duties on Chinese-made goods. India, by contrast, is subject to only a 10 per cent base tariff—with ongoing negotiations aimed at averting a proposed additional 26 per cent reciprocal levy. Apple's strategic manoeuvres go well beyond plant output figures. In March, it chartered aircraft to ship around $2 billion worth of iPhone models—including the 13, 14, 16 and 16e series—from Chennai to the U.S.. Concurrently, it has lobbied Indian customs officials to streamline clearance time at Chennai Airport from approximately 30 hours to just six. ADVERTISEMENT Tata Electronics—the smaller of Apple's Indian manufacturing partners—also ramped up its U.S.-bound export rate, shipping an average of 86 per cent of its March‑April output abroad, compared to just 52 per cent across 2024. Analysts at Counterpoint Research estimate that Apple's production capacity in India will contribute 25–30 per cent of global iPhone shipments by the end of 2025, up from 18 per cent in 2024. Industry insiders note that Tamil Nadu has become India's iPhone manufacturing epicentre, hosting some 70–80 per cent of domestic output through facilities run by Foxconn, Pegatron and Tata, and leverages major infrastructure investments to support scale‑up. The strategic pivot has not gone unnoticed in Washington. Donald Trump voiced disapproval in Doha, urging Apple to prioritise U.S.-based manufacturing over Indian operations. He cast the policy shift as unwelcome, stating he did 'not want you building in India' and emphasised domestic production, although analysts warn it would be economically unfeasible—potentially tripling iPhone prices—if Apple were to replicate its Chinese supply chain in the U.S.. Despite vocal criticism from Trump, India's government continues to cultivate its appeal as a high‑tech manufacturing hub under the 'China Plus One' model. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration has facilitated green corridors and industrial investments, particularly in Tamil Nadu, aiming to amplify smartphone exports. The state's industrial minister and private‑sector leaders have pointed to India's growing workforce and operational readiness as key strengths. However, the pathway is not without hurdles. High duties on imported components continue to hinder cost efficiency, even as trade negotiations between New Delhi and Washington seek to secure tariff relief. India remains more expensive than other manufacturing hubs unless concessions are secured. Still, the numbers speak convincingly. Foxconn's India exports hit $4.4 billion to U.S. shores in just the first five months of 2025—already exceeding the full‑year 2024 tally of $3.7 billion. Simultaneously, India's mobile‑electronics exports raced ahead, reaching approximately $12.8 billion in 2024, with iPhones now powering nearly 70 per cent of that figure. India's climb in Apple's supply chain mirrors broader geopolitical shifts—illustrating how trade pressure, tariff regimes and national strategies are reshaping global manufacturing. As Apple continues to amplify operations in India, the region is fast developing into a pivotal node in the technology economy—offering a compelling alternative to the long-established China corridor amidst deepening trade tensions.
Arabian Post
an hour ago
- Arabian Post
AD Ports and ASRY Forge Maritime Growth Alliance
A new maritime alliance took shape on 12 June 2025 as AD Ports Group and the Arab Shipbuilding & Repair Yard Company signed three Heads of Terms, solidifying their collaboration in marine services across Bahrain, in a ceremony attended by H.H. Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, His Majesty's Representative for Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs and Chairman of Bapco Energies. The agreements build upon the operational success of ASRY Marine, a joint venture between Noatum Maritime—a division within AD Ports' Maritime & Shipping Cluster—and ASRY. The first agreement paves the way for a joint venture to manage dry-dock facilities and shipyards. This alliance intends to elevate shipbuilding and dry-docking capacities within the Gulf Cooperation Council region and investigate expansion into other markets. A second agreement brings JM Baxi, an Indian marine‑services and logistics specialist, into the fold. Together, the trio will develop green ship‑recycling facilities, aligning with the Hong Kong Convention's standards to promote a circular maritime economy while reducing carbon emissions. ADVERTISEMENT The third agreement focuses on exploring joint investments across ports and terminal operations. A strategic working group will evaluate potential development opportunities and shared infrastructure initiatives. Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group, described this as a natural progression of their maritime ties: 'Following the successful formation of our recent joint venture with ASRY, we look forward to deepening our collaboration across the maritime realm.' He emphasised that establishing green ship‑recycling facilities would ensure vessels are retired responsibly. Dr Ahmed Al Abri, CEO of ASRY, expressed confidence in the partnership's potential: 'By combining our shared expertise and advanced infrastructure… we aim to strengthen our capabilities in dry-docking and shipbuilding across the GCC and beyond.' He also highlighted the firm's commitment to innovation and sustainability, particularly in ship recycling facilities and new terminal operations. The deal builds upon the February 2025 launch of ASRY Marine, in which Noatum Maritime contributed four ASD tugboats and a mooring vessel to modernise ASRY's fleet. The operational deployment of these tugs in April underscored the joint venture's readiness, showcasing the firms' intent to enhance efficiency and reliability through modern assets. Industry analysts suggest that this multi‑layered agreement positions Bahrain as a regional hub for integrated maritime services, underpinned by sustainable practices and infrastructure investment. With the Gulf's shipping and ship-repair sectors poised for growth, the alliance is expected to offer a competitive edge. ASRY's expertise in fabrication and repair, backed by stakeholders from GCC nations since its establishment in 1977, complements AD Ports' regional logistics reach. The inclusion of green ship‑recycling aligns with global maritime trends. Under the Hong Kong Convention framework, these facilities focus on safe dismantling, materials recovery, and minimal ecological impact—a factor increasingly important as decarbonisation becomes integral to port strategies worldwide. Looking ahead, the formation of a working group to assess port and terminal investments signals a long‑term strategic vision. By integrating learnings from the dry-dock and recycling initiatives, both organisations can explore infrastructure synergies and diversify service offerings, potentially extending beyond Bahrain.
Al Etihad
18 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Boeing shares tumble after Air India plane crash
12 June 2025 16:45 LONDON (PA Media/dpa)Shares in Boeing tumbled in pre-market trading on Thursday after one of its planes crashed shortly after taking off in US-based airplane manufacturer, which has been blighted by safety issues in recent years, saw shares drop as much as 8%.A Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft bound for London's Gatwick airport, carrying 242 people, appeared to explode after crashing shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad Air India said 169 passengers are Indian nationals, 53 are British, one is Canadian, and seven are Portuguese.A Boeing spokesman said: "We are aware of initial reports and areworking to gather more information."
