BISCUIT INDUSTRY IN INDIA - AN OVERVIEW

Biscuit industry in India in the organized sector produces around 60% of the total production, the balance 40% being contributed by the unorganized bakeries. The industry consists of two large scale manufacturers, around 50 medium scale brands and small scale units ranging up to 2500 units in the country, as at 2000-01. The unorganized sector is estimated to have approximately 30,000 small & tiny bakeries across the country. The annual turnover of the organized sector of the biscuit manufacturers (as at 2001-02) is Rs. 4,350 crores. In terms of volume biscuit production by the organized segment in 2001-02 is estimated at 1.30 million tonnes. The major Brands of biscuits are - Brittania, Parle Bakeman, Priya Gold,Elite,Cremica, Dukes, Anupam, Horlicks, Craze, Nezone, besides various regional/State brands. Biscuit industry which was till then reserved in the SSI Sector, was unreserved in 1997-98, in accordance with the Govt Policy, based on the recommendations of the Abid Hussain Committee. The annual production of biscuit in the organized sector, continues to be predominantly in the small and medium sale sector before and after de-reservation. The annual production was around 7.4 Lakh tonnes in 1997-98 In the next five years, biscuit production witnessed an annual growth of 10% to 12%, up to 1999-00. The annual Growth showed a decline of 3.5% in 2000-01, mainly due to 100% hike in Central Excise Duty (from 9% to 16%). Production in the year 2001-02 increased very marginally by 2.75% where in 2002-03 the growth is around 3%. The Union Budget for 2003-04 granted 50% reduction in the rate of Excise Duty on Biscuit i.e. from 16% to 8%. The Federation's estimate for the current year indicates a growth of approximately 8% to 9%. However the average utilization of installed capacity by biscuit manufacturers in the country has been a dismal 60% over the last decade up to 2001-02. Though dereservation resulted in a few MNCs, i.e. Sara Lee, Kellogs SmithKline Beecham, Heinz etc entering the biscuit industry in India, most of them, with the exception of SmithKline Beecham (Horlicks Biscuits), have ceased production in the country. On the other hand, import of biscuits, specially in the high price segment has started from 1998-99, but however, the quantum of imports has not so far increased alarmingly and has remained at around 3.75% of the consumption of biscuits in the country in the year 2001-02. However, recent imports from china industries cheaper verities of biscuit, needs to be examined with cautions, especially in the context of the price as the low margin based domestic industry, which is operating at 60 % of the total installed capital. Exports of biscuits from India has been

to the extent of 5.5% of the total production. Export are expected to grow only in the year 200304 and beyond. Biscuit is a hygienically packaged nutritious snack food available at very competitive prices, volumes and different tastes. According to the NCAER Study, biscuit is predominantly consumed by people from the lower strata of society, particularly children in both rural and urban areas with an average monthly income of Rs. 750.00. Biscuit can he broadly categorized into the following segments: (Based on productions of 2000-01) Glucose 44% Marie 13% Cream 10% Crackers 13% Milk 12% Others 8%. In recognition of industry's obligations towards the community, being a part of it, biscuit manufacturers supply biscuits to the social welfare agencies in all States for the benefit of school children, senior citizens and other needy sections of the society. FBMI Members have always responded positively to our appeal as also by the Government, to rush truck loads of biscuits to the people affected by earthquakes, floods, famine etc. Our industry has also participated in supplying biscuits to the people of war ravaged Afghanistan and presently to the Iraqi people, under the aegis of the UN. As regards the consumption pattern is concerned. surveys and estimates by industry from time to time indicate the average consumption scenario in the four Zones have been more or less close to each other, as below: Northern States: 28% Southern States: 24% Western States: 25% Eastern States: 23%
Background of parle-G

Parle Products company was founded in 1929 in British India. It was owned by the Chauhan family of Vile Parle, Mumbai. Parle began manufacturing biscuits in 1939. In 1947, when India became independent, the company launched an ad campaign, showcasing its Gluco biscuits as an Indian alternative to the British biscuits.[2] The Parle brand became well known in India following the success of products such as the Parle-G biscuits and the Thums Up soft drink. The original Parle company was split into three separate companies, owned by the different factions of the original Chauhan family:[3]

Parle Products, led by Vijay, Sharad and Anup Chauhan (owner of the brands Parle-G, Melody, Mango Bite, Poppins, Monaco and KrackJack) Parle Agro, led by Prakash Chauhan and his daughters Schauna, Alisha and Nadia (owner of the brands such as Frooti and Appy) Parle Bisleri, led by Ramesh Chauhan

All three companies continue to use the family trademark name "Parle". The original Parle group was amicably segregated into three non-competing businesses. But a dispute over the use of "Parle" brand arose, when Parle Agro diversified into the confectionary business, thus becoming a competitor to Parle Products. In February 2008, Parle Products sued Parle Agro for using the brand Parle for competing confectionary products. Later, Parle Agro launched its confectionery products under a new design which did not include the Parle brand name.[4] In 2009, the Bombay High Court ruled that Parle Agro can sell its confectionery brands under the brand name "Parle" or "Parle Confi" on condition that it clearly specifies that its products belong to a separate company, which has no relationship with Parle Products.[5]

Entry into Rural Market