PepsiCo is setting its sights on India as a critical growth driver for its global business, with ambitious plans to double its revenue in the country within the next five years. The beverage and snack giant is ramping up investments and expanding its manufacturing capacity, seeing India as a “key anchor market” that will significantly contribute to its global top-line growth, according to Jagrut Kotecha, CEO of PepsiCo India & South Asia.
In an exclusive conversation with PTI, Kotecha revealed that India is now among the top three fastest-growing markets for PepsiCo globally, registering consistent double-digit growth. “We firmly believe that India will be the engine of growth for PepsiCo’s global business. Our per capita consumption here is still relatively low, and the demand curve is rapidly shifting in our favor,” he said.
Aggressive Investments, New Manufacturing Plants
To stay ahead of the surging demand, PepsiCo has been pumping capital into India with a clear growth strategy. The company has already established large-scale manufacturing facilities in Uttar Pradesh and Assam and has no plans of slowing down. Kotecha disclosed that PepsiCo is planning to open two more manufacturing units, one of which will be in southern India, reinforcing the company’s long-term commitment to the market.
“We’re not investment-shy when it comes to India. We want to expand our production capacity significantly to meet the growing demand for both snacks and beverages. The growth momentum here is too strong to ignore,” Kotecha added.
PepsiCo has already crossed ₹8,200 crore in revenue in 2023, including revenue from the full calendar year after it aligned its fiscal year globally. With a consistent double-digit growth rate, the company believes that touching $2 billion (around ₹17,000 crore) in annual revenue within the next five years is within reach.
Why India Is Key to PepsiCo’s Global Growth
While PepsiCo’s North American business continues to dominate in size, Kotecha emphasized that India offers untapped potential that could push it up the ranks in global markets. Currently, India is among PepsiCo’s top 15 markets, but with its current growth trajectory, the country could soon become one of the top five global markets for the company.
“There’s a huge runway for growth in India. Our per capita consumption here, both in snacks and beverages, is still far lower than many developed markets. That’s where we see a massive opportunity to scale up,” Kotecha noted.
PepsiCo has also mapped out 13 to 15 ‘anchor markets’ globally, defined as regions where the company expects the most incremental growth in the next five to seven years. India sits prominently on that list, signaling the company’s bullish stance toward the market.
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Aligning with India’s Growth Story
Kotecha pointed out that PepsiCo’s aggressive push in India also aligns well with the Indian government’s broader economic vision for 2030 — one that positions the country among the world’s top three economies.
“India’s macroeconomic fundamentals are strong, the middle-class population is growing, and consumer spending is increasing. It’s one of the most promising markets globally, and PepsiCo sees tremendous potential here,” he said.
PepsiCo has already tailored its India strategy to align with regional tastes and preferences. The company has divided the country into nine different taste clusters, ensuring its products cater to hyper-local preferences. Additionally, PepsiCo is heavily investing in sustainable manufacturing practices to reduce its carbon footprint, keeping pace with evolving global sustainability standards.
Chasing the ₹17,000 Crore Milestone
PepsiCo’s revenue in India stood at ₹5,950 crore for nine months in 2023 after it shifted its financial year to align with global standards. However, if the January-March quarter is factored in based on previous revenue trends, the company’s full-year revenue would hover around ₹8,200 crore.
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The company’s internal projections indicate that if its double-digit growth momentum persists, reaching ₹17,000 crore ($2 billion) in revenue within the next five years is highly achievable. However, Kotecha stopped short of confirming a definite timeline.
“It’s a vision, an aspiration. If we execute our strategy correctly — with expanded capacity, localized innovation, and sustained demand — there’s no reason why we won’t get there,” he stated.
With two new manufacturing plants in the pipeline, aggressive market expansion, and a hyper-localized product approach, PepsiCo is leaving no stone unturned to make India one of its largest global markets. The next five years could very well see the brand crossing the ₹17,000 crore milestone, cementing India’s position as a critical growth engine for the multinational giant.
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