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Is Your Child Struggling with Gluten Sensitivity? Coconut Flour Might Be the Game-Changer You’ve Been Searching For!

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coconut flour

In recent years, there has been a significant rise in the number of children diagnosed with gluten sensitivity, also known as non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). Gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, can cause adverse reactions in individuals with NCGS, leading to various gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms. For parents seeking alternative dietary options to support their children’s health, coconut flour has emerged as a potential game-changer. This article aims to explore the benefits of coconut flour as a gluten-free alternative and its potential to alleviate symptoms in children struggling with gluten sensitivity.

Understanding Gluten Sensitivity:

Gluten sensitivity is a condition characterized by adverse reactions to gluten ingestion, causing symptoms similar to those seen in celiac disease but without the presence of the characteristic immune response or damage to the small intestine. Common symptoms include bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, headaches, fatigue, and skin issues. The exact prevalence of NCGS remains uncertain, but studies suggest that it affects a significant number of children worldwide.

Coconut Flour: An Overview:

Coconut flour is derived from the meat of coconuts and is gaining popularity as a gluten-free alternative to traditional wheat flour. It is made by drying the coconut meat, grinding it into a fine powder, and removing the oil. Coconut flour is naturally low in carbohydrates, high in fiber, and contains beneficial fats and proteins. These nutritional characteristics make it an attractive option for children with gluten sensitivity.

Benefits of Coconut Flour for Children with Gluten Sensitivity:

  • Gluten-free Alternative:

Coconut flour is naturally gluten-free, making it a safe option for children with gluten sensitivity. By replacing wheat flour with coconut flour in recipes, parents can provide their children with delicious gluten-free alternatives while avoiding the triggers that cause adverse reactions.

  • High Fiber Content:

One of the significant advantages of coconut flour is its high fiber content. Fiber plays a crucial role in maintaining digestive health, regulating bowel movements, and promoting satiety. Children with gluten sensitivity often struggle with digestive issues, and incorporating coconut flour into their diet can help alleviate constipation or diarrhea commonly associated with gluten consumption.

  • Nutritional Value:

Coconut flour contains essential vitamins and minerals, including iron, potassium, and magnesium. These nutrients are vital for children’s growth and development, ensuring their bodies receive the necessary nourishment while following a gluten-free diet. Additionally, coconut flour is rich in healthy fats, which can support brain development and overall well-being.

  • Lower Glycemic Index:

Coconut flour has a lower glycemic index compared to traditional wheat flour. This means it has a slower and more controlled impact on blood sugar levels, which is particularly beneficial for children with gluten sensitivity who may also have diabetes or pre-diabetic conditions. By incorporating coconut flour into their meals, parents can help manage blood sugar levels and maintain stable energy throughout the day.

  • Versatile in Cooking and Baking:

Coconut flour’s versatility makes it an excellent option for various recipes, from savory dishes to baked goods. Its unique texture and absorption properties may require some adjustments to recipes, such as increasing the number of eggs or liquids used. However, with experimentation and recipe adaptations, parents can create gluten-free meals and treats that are both nutritious and enjoyable for their children.

  • Allergen Friendly:

In addition to being gluten-free, coconut flour is also nut-free and does not contain common allergens such as wheat, soy, or dairy. This makes it suitable for children with multiple food sensitivities or allergies, expanding their dietary options and reducing the risk of accidental exposure to allergens.

Considerations and Precautions:

While coconut flour holds promise as a gluten-free alternative for children with gluten sensitivity, it is essential to approach dietary changes with caution and consult with healthcare professionals, such as pediatricians or registered dietitians. Each child’s needs and sensitivities may vary, and professional guidance can help ensure a well-balanced and nutritionally adequate diet.

Final Thoughts:

Coconut flour offers an array of benefits as a game-changer for children struggling with gluten sensitivity. As a gluten-free alternative, it provides nutritional value, high fiber content, and a lower glycemic index. Its versatility in cooking and baking, coupled with its allergen-friendly profile, makes it an attractive option for parents seeking dietary alternatives for their children. However, it is crucial to seek professional advice and guidance when making significant changes to a child’s diet. With proper support and knowledge, coconut flour has the potential to improve the quality of life for children with gluten sensitivity, allowing them to enjoy delicious and nourishing meals while managing their health effectively.

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Tomato puree and frozen vegetable sales soar as tomato prices reach new heights

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Tomato
(Representative Image)

In response to the soaring prices of tomatoes, BigBasket, the online grocery delivery company, offers a helpful alternative. Encouraging its customers through its mobile application, the company suggests, “Facing High Tomato Prices? Try Cooking with Tomato Puree Instead! Crafted from 100% ripe tomatoes.”

Online grocery delivery companies like BigBasket, Zepto, and Blinkit, along with numerous brick-and-mortar retailers, are experiencing a significant increase in the demand for tomato puree and frozen vegetables due to soaring prices of fresh produce. The demand has reached such levels that retailers are struggling to keep up with stock availability, leading manufacturers to escalate their production efforts.

The retail market in Delhi witnessed a significant increase in fresh tomato prices, reaching INR 112 per kg, which is a considerable rise from the previous rate of INR 28 per kg just a month ago. In comparison, a 200 ml container of puree, which is approximately equivalent to 450 gm of tomatoes, is priced at INR 27.

According to a representative from Dabur, the popularity of their tomato puree brand, Hommade, has experienced a significant surge in demand. The company is actively striving to meet this increased demand. Mother Dairy, a major participant in the market for puree and frozen vegetables, has also witnessed a substantial rise in customer interest. Over the past two weeks, they have observed a remarkable 300% spike in demand for tomato puree and a notable 50% increase for frozen vegetables across their stores.

“Production has been ramped up for our tomato puree to take care of the surge in demand,” said a spokesperson for Mother Dairy Fruit & Vegetable, which owns the Safal brand of purees and frozen vegetables.

Zepto, the quick commerce company, has experienced a substantial 120% increase in tomato puree sales compared to the first week of June.

“Tomato ketchup sales are also 10% higher than in the first week of June,” a company spokesperson said.

Due to heavy rainfall and floods in northern states like Himachal Pradesh, the prices of fruits and vegetables have surged. At the Azadpur wholesale market in New Delhi, tomatoes are being sold at INR 140 per kg. Additionally, the prices of various vegetables such as green peas, French beans, ginger, and coriander have doubled and are now being sold well above INR 100 per kg in the wholesale market.

The torrential rains in the hilly state of Himachal Pradesh have resulted in the destruction of harvest-ready vegetables that were supposed to be grown and dispatched from the region.

“There is a surge in demand (for tomato puree) as well as shortage of supply in equal measure,” said Amit Dutta, chief executive of grocery retailer Le Marche Retail. “Stocks of puree have dried up even at B2B wholesalers, so there is a gap at the moment which might only widen further as the pipeline has been almost finished.”

To address the supply shortage, BigBasket is procuring tomatoes and other vegetables from both Bengaluru and Nashik on a daily basis to meet the demand in the National Capital Region (NCR).

“To reduce the customer discomfort, we are selling tomatoes almost at cost,” said Seshu Kumar, chief buying and merchandising officer, BigBasket, which has seen the sales of tomato puree double since the first week of June.

To curb the soaring prices of tomatoes, the central government has issued directives to procurement agencies, namely the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (Nafed) and the National Cooperative Consumers Federation (NCCF). Their mandate is to source tomatoes from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, and subsequently distribute them to prominent consumption hubs, including the National Capital Region.

Read More: Central government takes action to address soaring tomato prices, plans procurement from key states

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Bisleri becomes official hydration partner of Ultimate Table Tennis, launches limited edition bottles featuring top players

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Bisleri
As part of this collaboration, Bisleri will also introduce limited edition bottles showcasing the prominent TT players.

Bisleri, the popular packaged drinking water brand, has recently signed a two-year agreement to become the official hydration partner of Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT). As part of this collaboration, Bisleri will also introduce limited edition bottles showcasing the prominent TT players.

Scheduled to take place in Pune, the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) is India’s foremost table tennis tournament, set to run from July 13 to 30.

Tushar Malhotra, Head of marketing, Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd, said, “We are delighted to partner with the Ultimate Table Tennis League as part of our #CarryYourGame campaign wherein we will also be releasing limited edition bottles featuring Manika Batra, Sharath Kamal Achanta and Hana Matelova. We are committed to establish the strong link between Bisleri and Hydration by celebrating sportsmanship and endurance of athletes and players from all genres of sports.”

The partnership will receive additional promotion with the use of co-branded Bisleri delivery trucks, which will traverse the entire city.

Ekansh Gupta, VP, IndianOil Ultimate Table Tennis, expressed their enthusiasm on the collaboration, stating, “Bisleri’s commitment to providing safe and pure water aligns with our mission of offering the athletes the right hydration, enabling them to perform well during the game. We hope the association will help enhance the overall experience for players and fans alike.”

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Michael Jordan’s iconic steakhouse set to make overseas debut in South Korea’s Mohegan Inspire Resort

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Michael Jordan's iconic steakhouse
Michael Jordan's iconic steakhouse

The first overseas Michael Jordan Steak House is slated to open later this year at the Mohegan Inspire Entertainment Resort in South Korea. This exceptional dining establishment, meticulously designed by Kesson from Seoul, is a remarkable partnership between Mohegan, hailing from Uncasville, Connecticut, and Cornerstone Restaurant Group, headquartered in Chicago.

Alongside the Jordan-themed steakhouse, the Inspire complex in Incheon will showcase a variety of enticing culinary offerings. Among them, visitors can look forward to the Cornerstone MJ23 Sports Bar & Grill, an exhilarating venue that celebrates the spirit of Michael Jordan. Furthermore, the complex will introduce two fresh concepts by the company: Hi-Fi Chicken & Beer, a delightful destination for crispy poultry and refreshing brews, and Brasserie 1783, a sophisticated establishment that promises a culinary journey like no other.

“We’ve always had plans to make our concepts international,” said Cornerstone’s President Joshua Zadikoff. “What better way to make a global impression than to bring Michael Jordan’s Steak House and three other concepts to the premier new entertainment destination in Asia.”

Ray Pineault, President & CEO of Mohegan, noted that Michael Jordan’s Steak House and the MJ23 Sports Bar & Grill “are two of our most popular restaurants at our flagship property, Mohegan Sun, in Connecticut, and to bring these two concepts to South Korea, along with brand-new concepts as well, is very exciting.” (There are also two Michael Jordan’s Steak Houses in Chicago, where the famed basketball player spent his NBA career, and one in the Ilani Resort Casino and Resort in Ridgefield, Wash.)

Scheduled to launch in the last quarter of this year, the Inspire resort is set to feature 1,275 hotel rooms, a multipurpose arena with a seating capacity of 15,000, a casino exclusively for foreigners, convention amenities, retail spaces, an indoor waterpark, and an outdoor themed attraction.

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Saudi Arabian food-tech startup Kaso raises $10.5 Million in Seed funding round to transform food supply chain

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Kaso
Kaso is a B2B platform that revolutionizes the Middle East's food industry by digitizing and automating procurement processes between food suppliers and restaurants.

Kaso, a food-tech company headquartered in Saudi Arabia, has successfully secured $10.5 million in a seed funding round to drive its ambitious goal of transforming the food supply chain.

Notable investors including BY VP, Hala Ventures, Seedra Ventures, and several others lent their support to the funding round.

Established in 2021, Kaso is a business-to-business (B2B) platform that revolutionizes the Middle East’s food industry by digitizing and automating procurement processes between food suppliers and restaurants. With a strong presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, Kaso has already partnered with over 5,000 businesses in the region.

The secured funds will play a pivotal role in Kaso’s strategic expansion plans, allowing the company to bolster its operations, further develop its cutting-edge technology platform, and strive to achieve a remarkable gross merchandise value of $1 billion within the next 12 months.

Furthermore, Kaso has recently introduced a specialized FinTech division that focuses on delivering payment solutions and extended credit terms specifically tailored for the restaurant industry. This innovative service not only ensures smooth and efficient payment processing for suppliers but also provides financial flexibility and transparency for all parties involved.

Kaso’s Co-Founder, Manar Alkassar, said, “We are extremely proud to be partnering with globally renowned brands such as Burger King, Buffalo Wild Wings, Tim Hortons, Caribou Coffee, Chili’s and many more. Additionally, it is very encouraging to see strong regional and international investors joining us, especially considering the challenges some startups currently face in the fundraising market.”

“This reaffirms our vision to revolutionise one of the oldest industries on the planet, an industry that still runs on pen and paper, phone calls and WhatsApp. In line with our commitment to tackling these inefficiencies, we are excited to announce the launch of our FinTech vertical, which will offer payments and credit facilities to restaurants, further solving key challenges in the industry. By combining our procurement platform with innovative financial solutions, we are enabling restaurants to thrive in a competitive landscape,” he added.

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US infant formula company Bobbie acquires Nature’s One, expanding market presence and strengthening domestic manufacturing

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Bobbie
Bobbie (Representative Image)

Bobbie, a US infant formula company, has recently completed the acquisition of Nature’s One, a pediatric nutrition company based in Ohio. The financial details of the transaction remain undisclosed.

The acquisition will support Bobbie in meeting its “full growth potential” while strengthening domestic manufacturing. It follows less than three years after Bobbie’s launch.

Bobbie plans to sustain the production of Nature’s One products under the Baby’s Only brand for the foreseeable future.

Founded in 2019 with the objective of creating secure and nourishing infant formula, Bobbie has recently constructed an infant formula facility, marking the first of its kind in the United States in the past four decades. This state-of-the-art facility empowers Bobbie with comprehensive oversight of the manufacturing process, starting from sourcing raw materials to production and canning.

Laura Modi, Bobbie CEO and co-founder, said, “From inception, Bobbie’s mission has been centred around evolving the infant formula industry, and this acquisition is one of the biggest diversification moves in this very concentrated industry. There is no one better suited to help us pursue this vision than Nature’s One’s founder, Jay Highman – he revolutionised the industry decades ago with his dedication to purity, accessibility, and safety, and this best-in-class facility is no exception. Owning end-to-end production while also continuing our valued partnership with Perrigo is critical as we scale and build the resiliency needed for the future.”

Highman commented, “Nature’s One takes great pride in our evidence-based approach from the ingredients, to the state-of-the-art facility, and the team that has spent years to ensure our formula is safe, nutritious, and accessible for families. By handing the keys to Bobbie, it helps grow our reach and carries forward our message of purity.”

He will remain as Nature’s One’s executive director and will be a key shareholder in the combined entity, alongside Juggernaut Capital Partners, a majority investor.

The company is currently securing funding for its Series C round, which involves active participation from a number of Bobbie’s current investors. This serves as a testament to the unwavering support and confidence of these investors in Bobbie’s potential to consistently revolutionize an industry that is particularly primed for transformation.

Olivia Walton, Founder and CEO of Ingeborg Investments, said that the acquisition positions Bobbie to become a “market leader” in high-quality baby formula and to reach millions more customers who are seeking “better options to feed their babies”.

George Birman, principal at Powerplant Partners, said, “We believe Bobbie is leading a new generation of thinking when it comes to the vitally important areas of infant and child nutrition; in addition to making the highest quality product, Bobbie is unique in its understanding of the challenges and choices faced by modern parents, and as a result is becoming a household name. As investors in consumer brands, we are proud to leverage our category and operating expertise to support the company in the years ahead.”

The Bobbie team has grown from a team of two co-founders to a team of over 100 employees, since its inception.

Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed.

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Nutrizoe secures INR 3 Crore in Bridge funding to enhance women’s nourishment solutions

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Richa Pendake and Saanket K
Richa Pendake and Saanket K

Nutrizoe, a brand dedicated to women’s nourishment, has recently obtained INR 3 crore in a Bridge funding round. This round was spearheaded by Inflection Point Ventures (IPV). With this significant capital injection, Nutrizoe is poised to grow and elevate its Lactobite portfolio, building upon the successful completion of clinical trials. The primary objective of the company is to advance the product line, ensuring it meets an even broader spectrum of needs and preferences.

The company’s intention is to utilize the funds for both product expansion and international market entry, specifically targeting the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This strategic decision aims to enable Nutrizoe to expand its presence beyond India and offer its innovative solutions to women worldwide. Furthermore, a portion of the funds will be dedicated to research and development endeavors, focused on developing new product formulations that align with Nutrizoe’s mission of providing effective and state-of-the-art solutions in the field of health and wellness.

Founded by Richa Pendake and Saanket K, Nutrizoe is a company dedicated to addressing women’s wellness and health concerns. With a combined corporate experience of over 25 years, this dynamic married couple brings a wealth of expertise to their venture. Nutrizoe made its debut in November 2020 with the introduction of its first product, lactation bars, driven by Richa’s deep passion for promoting women’s well-being.

Speaking about the investment, Richa Pendake, Founder and CEO of Nutrizoe, expressed her excitement, stating, “With growing apprehension around processed foods and the lack of clean labels, our vision at Nutrizoe is to address health issues through functional and nutraceutical food as an alternative to medicines. We are thrilled to have IPV support us in our goal of creating healthy moms and healthy babies. With the varied experience, network, and portfolio companies of IPV, we look forward to an upward learning journey and beyond.”

Vikram Ramasubramanian, Partner at Inflection Point Ventures, emphasized the importance of providing optimal nutrition during various stages of a woman’s life. He stated, “The female body experiences constant changes throughout every stage of life. Despite being aware of the body’s needs, these requirements are often overlooked for various reasons. One crucial phase that requires utmost attention is pregnancy and postpartum recovery. During this time, the body requires significantly more nutrition than usual to maintain the health of both the mother and the baby. Nutrizoe is an essential source of nourishment for women as these scientifically formulated products are enriched with all the necessary natural ingredients and are easily consumable. At IPV, we strongly identify with the brand’s vision of introducing revolutionary products that alleviate the challenges faced by women.”

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Central government takes action to address soaring tomato prices, plans procurement from key states

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tomatoes
(Representative Image)

In the midst of a significant surge in tomato prices nationwide, the Central government has issued directives to its agencies, namely NAFED and NCCF, to promptly acquire the essential vegetable from mandis located in crucial tomato-producing states such as Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.

The increase in tomato prices has been observed nationwide, affecting various regions and geographies rather than being confined to a specific area. In major cities, the prices have surged to a significant extent, reaching as high as INR 150-160 per kilogram.

After acquisition, these items will be promptly sent for simultaneous delivery to key consumption hubs, where retail prices have experienced the highest surge in the last month.

Typically, the months of July-August and October-November are considered low production periods for tomatoes.

The stocks of tomato will be distributed through retail outlets at “discounted prices” to the consumers in Delhi-NCR region by Friday, this week, said a food ministry release Wednesday.

“The targeted centres for release (of tomato) have been identified on the basis of absolute increase in retail prices over the past one month in centres where prevailing prices are above the All-India average.”

Tomatoes are cultivated across the majority of states in India, albeit in varying quantities. The highest production is observed in the southern and western regions of the country, which together account for approximately 56-58% of the total tomato production in India.

“Southern and Western regions being surplus states, feed to other markets depending on production seasons. The production seasons are also different across regions. The peak harvesting season occurs from December to February.”

“The cycle of planting and harvesting seasons and variation across regions are primarily responsible for price seasonality in Tomato. Apart from the normal price seasonality, temporary supply chain disruptions and crop damage due to adverse weather conditions etc. often lead to sudden spikes in prices.”

The government stated that the increase in prices was primarily due to the monsoon season, which exacerbated existing challenges in distribution and led to higher transit losses. It was emphasized that tomatoes have a comparatively shorter shelf life, contributing to the difficulties faced in maintaining their availability and affordability.

At present, the majority of supplies reaching markets in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and several other states primarily originate from Maharashtra, particularly Satara, Narayangaon, and Nashik. This supply chain is anticipated to continue until the end of this month.

In addition to Maharashtra, Madanapalle in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, has also been experiencing consistent arrivals of supplies in significant quantities. As for Delhi-NCR, the majority of arrivals are sourced from Himachal Pradesh, while a smaller quantity comes from Kolar in Karnataka.

New crop arrivals are expected soon from Nashik district. Furthermore, in August, additional supply is expected to come from Narayangaon and Aurangabad belt. Madhya Pradesh arrivals are also expected to start.

“Prices are anticipated to cool down in the near future, accordingly,” the food ministry asserted.

Based on the Price Monitoring Division’s database maintained by the Department of Consumer Affairs, there has been a significant increase in tomato prices this month compared to early June in retail markets. On average, the price per kilogram of tomatoes has risen by INR 60-100. The data reveals that in Delhi, prices have surged from INR 20 per kg in early June to INR 110 last week. Similarly, in Chennai, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata, which are three prominent consumption regions, tomato prices have escalated to INR 117, INR 100, and INR 148 respectively.

The data indicated that the prices of tomatoes, a staple vegetable, were in line with the significant increase observed in wholesale markets during the month of June.

As tomato prices continue to soar, analysts anticipate that the retail inflation data for June, which is scheduled to be released later today, may reflect an upward trend.

India’s retail inflation witnessed a decline in May, reaching a two-year low of 4.25 percent. This is a significant decrease from the inflation rates of 4.7 percent in April and 5.7 percent in March. The substantial reduction in inflation numbers can be attributed to the Reserve Bank of India’s consistent monetary policy tightening since mid-2022.

For three consecutive quarters, India’s retail inflation remained above the Reserve Bank of India’s target of 6 percent. It eventually eased back to the RBI’s comfort zone in November 2022.

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Delhi grapples with rising vegetable prices as monsoon floods impact supply chain

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vegetables
(Representative Image)

The advent of the Southwest monsoon and the subsequent floods in the low-lying regions of Delhi have led to a significant surge in vegetable prices, greatly impacting the financial constraints faced by local families.

Tomatoes are currently being sold at exorbitant rates ranging from INR 130 to 240 per kilogram or even higher in multiple locations across the national capital, including Azadpur Mandi.

According to wholesalers, the prices of vegetables, including tomatoes, have witnessed a twofold increase over the past two weeks, resulting in a significant 40 percent reduction in sales.

“People are buying tomato puree instead of tomatoes. I am only bringing 5 kgs tomatoes these days as sales are low. Earlier, when the rates were nominal, I used to sell tomatoes 20 to 25 kgs per day,” said Amar, a vegetable vendor in Laxmi Nagar.

“Daily vegetables including bottle gourd are being sold at INR 70 per kg. Capsicum at INR 80 per kg, bitter gourd at INR 65 per kg, Green coriander at INR 500 per kg, lady finger at 130 per kg,” said Manoj, a wholesaler at Azadpur Sabzi Mandi.

“The price of green cucumber has gone to INR 80 per kg, colocasia at INR 130 per kg, French beans at INR 220 per kg, Ginger at INR 400 to 470 per kg, black brinjal at INR 100 to 120 per kg, pointed gourd at INR 100 to 120 per kg,” he said.

The recent surge in tomato prices is being attributed to the detrimental impact of heavy rainfall on the supply chain. Vegetable vendors and wholesalers are identifying the rain as the primary factor causing disruptions in the tomato supply, consequently resulting in a substantial increase in retail prices for this crucial kitchen staple.

“Now due to flooding in several parts of the national capital, the movement of commercial vehicles has been stopped at the border areas of the city which will also be leading to more hike in the prices of vegetables,” said Anar Chand, a vegetable vendor at Azadpur Mandi.

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PepsiCo’s Indian business sees high-single-digit revenue growth in Q2 2023, gains market share in snacks and beverages

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PepsiCo
Pepsi (Representative Image)

PepsiCo, in its second-quarter earnings report released on Thursday, revealed that its Indian business experienced high-single-digit organic revenue growth in Q2 2023. The company further noted significant market share gains in both the snacks and beverage segments within India.

“Our developing and emerging markets remained resilient and delivered double-digit organic revenue growth. Mexico, Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, Poland, and Vietnam delivered double-digit organic revenue growth; India and China delivered high-single-digit organic revenue growth,” the company’s management stated in its remarks for the second quarter ended June 17.

However, in terms of volumes, PepsiCo witnessed a “mid-single-digit decline” in the snacks segment in India during the second quarter.

Commenting on the performance of Africa, Middle East and South Asia (AMESA) region, the company said, “Convenient foods unit volume declined 6 per cent, primarily reflecting a double-digit decline in South Africa, partially offset by double-digit growth in the Middle East and mid-single-digit growth in Pakistan. Additionally, India experienced a mid-single-digit decline.”

During this period, the beverage segment of the company’s India business experienced modest single-digit volume growth.

The company noted that it achieved market share gains in various international markets, including China, India, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the Netherlands, South Africa, Belgium, and Pakistan, throughout the year.

Despite the challenges faced in the beverage segment, the company reported gaining market share in India. This positive development coincides with the efforts of Varun Beverages, the company’s key bottler in the country, as it has been actively expanding its manufacturing capacities and aggressively growing its distribution network.

Beverage manufacturers encountered difficulties during the summer season in India. Analysts attribute this to unseasonal rains in several regions and moderate temperatures, which resulted in a decline in out-of-home demand for the cold beverage segment. The summer season typically plays a crucial role in driving annual sales of carbonated soft drinks and juices in the country.

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