You’ve seen
these types of food items before, they’re also often termed as convenience or
instant foods. These aren’t instant noodles or chips but actual dishes that are
typically made in Indian homes. Ready to eat foods or meals are those items
that are ready for consumption straight off the shelves, or may require a
minute or two to prepare. In fact, this market is so successful here, that many
Indian brands are now exporting their offerings to global consumer
So what has
made the Ready-to-Eat Market in India as
big as it is today? It’s the consumer; particularly working professionals that
have to pack meals for office, the kids but don’t have the time to do it. The
other alternatives they had were to order restaurant food or junk food, neither
of which were very healthy – and that’s how ready-made foods entered the market
and why it was such a hit.
The value or
the USPs of these products also contributed to that success. Buyers could
choose from a variety of restaurant style flavours
from different cuisines. Then, the meals were offered in hygienic packaging,
using real masalas, pastes, meat, vegetables and not the dehydrated variants.
The biggest advantage was in the preparation, where the food could be made
simply by heating it; either in microwave which is a very common household
appliance. The same could be done just by immersing the packet in hot water.
It offered so
much convenience to people. The market does offer them different types of
readymade foods like instant mixes, like soups, noodles, where one only has to
add in hot water. While curries, vegetable side dishes are the favourite, their category also include soups,
rice, chutneys, pickles, sauces and desserts.
Manufacturers
of these instant or ready foods classify their customers into three segments –
busy office goers, people who can’t or don’t cook and homemakers.
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