Delhi-based Mr Makhana is gearing up to broaden its retail footprint in the UK with its healthy popped lotus seed snacks.
Founder Rishab Jain mentioned that the brand is “in discussions with several distributors” to introduce its products to major UK retailers.
When questioned about the retailers, Jain mentioned Tesco and Sainsbury’s.
He anticipates finalizing the discussions “hopefully within the next two to three days.”
A select range of Mr Makhana products has been available for purchase in the UK via Amazon since January.
Jain stated that the goal for 2024 is to “secure a distributor, introduce the product to retail stores, establish a network of outlets, and assess the product’s performance and feedback.”
Elaborating on the reasoning for expanding into the UK, Jain said, “There’s a perception that the product is only for the Indian or ethnic market, but I believe the taste is quite universal. We can cater to everyone.”
Continue Exploring: Healthy snacking brand Farmley set to expand retail presence, targets 30-40% offline sales share by 2026
As part of its strategy, the company is creating new flavors tailored for the UK market to help consumers “adjust to the taste,” Jain noted, introducing options such as cheddar cheese, truffle, and smoky barbecue.
Mr Makhana offers a variety of makhana snacks, also known as popped fox nuts or lotus seeds from the water lily plant.
The company’s selection features chocolate-coated makhana, along with savory flavors like Pudina Party, Piri Piri Paradise, Butter Tomato, and Lime & Chilli.
Apart from India, Mr Makhana’s primary markets are in the GCC countries like Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, as well as Canada. The brand also has sales in Japan and the US.
Established in 2015, the company relied on outsourcing until 2019 when it established its first local production facility in Ahmedabad. It continues to use this site to supply the domestic market.
Last April, the company established a facility in Dubai to cater to customers outside of India.
The Indian plant produces approximately 50 tonnes of makhana snacks per month, whereas the Dubai facility has an annual capacity of 24 tonnes.
Last year, the company’s total annual production capacity was approximately 600 tonnes, with plans to increase it to 800 tonnes annually in the future, according to Jain.
Mr Makhana recorded a total annual turnover of around $43 million in 2023, with approximately $40 million generated within India.
Continue Exploring: Snacking continues to rise: Mondelēz International’s latest report reveals global surge in consumer snacking behaviors
