Date : March 31, 2024
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Child nutrition drives the demand for baby food in India.

Child nutrition drives the demand for baby food in India.
An infant’s better health and their nutritional needs depend upon the feeding they get; complementary feeding products are helping the parents to manage their infants’ feeding needs. Baby food is easy to consume food product manufactured by blending vegetables, fruits, and cereals for infants and toddlers. It contains various nutrients, such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, essential minerals and fatty acids that assist in the overall development and nourishment of babies. It is also considered to be an ideal substitute for breast milk. Moreover, as infants lack teeth for chewing, these products act as the primary source of nutrition. Nowadays, parents are widely adopting baby food and infant formula in India owing to the convenience and enhanced nutrition offered by these products. Proper feeding increases the immunity and health of infant and young children. Breast feed plays an important role in defining the growth and development in children. Infants are most vulnerable to get caught up with various diseases, so to get prepared against those unwanted situations the process of providing them with nutrition’s food starts right after few months of birth. However, there are cases when the women are not able to produce healthy milk or are undergoing any medication at that point of time, they are advised to provide a milk substitute except solid foods to give the infant a proper nutrition till the age of 6 months.

According to the research report, "India Baby Food Market Overview, 2029," published by Bonafide Research, the India Baby Food market is anticipated to grow at more than 16.56% CAGR from 2024 to 2029.Today the technological advances have completely transformed the food sector in terms of logistics, order tracking and processing. It has moved away from the age old style of distribution where food products get stacked on supermarket shelves for months together and then reach the end customer. Even in the case of baby food, parents have no choice but to choose food products that are manufactured months in advance. In some cases, it’s surprising to note that the baby food might be older than the baby. This was the genesis for the porridge range. Thereby, 100% organic baby food are in high demand with highest quality of standards. Organic food is one of the fastest growing sectors in the food industry overall. Indian organic baby food market is highly untapped and under-penetrated along with few organic baby food players. Pristine Organics and British Life Sciences are two companies who sell organic baby food in India. Organic baby food segment have wide gap which needs to fill. Consumers are increasingly health conscious and looking for natural, minimally-processed foods, and the stakes are even higher when it comes to their babies.

The India baby food market is rapidly expanding, with diverse product offerings catering to nutritional needs, convenience, and evolving parental preferences. Among product types, milk formula holds a significant share, driven by rising awareness of infant nutrition and the growing number of working mothers seeking reliable alternatives to breastfeeding. Parents prefer fortified and organic formulas to ensure optimal growth and development. Dried baby food is gaining popularity due to long shelf life, ease of storage, and travel convenience. These include instant porridge, fruit powders, and vegetable mixes, which offer quick and nutritious meal options. Cereal-based baby foods also account for a substantial market share, particularly in urban areas, as they provide high-fiber, iron-rich, and easily digestible meal choices for infants. Brands are introducing organic and preservative-free cereals, appealing to health-conscious parents. The "Others" category, including ready-to-eat meals, purees, and snacks, is witnessing significant demand as parents opt for on-the-go feeding solutions. With rising disposable income, increasing awareness about infant health, and product innovations, India's baby food market is projected to grow steadily, catering to the demands of both urban and rural consumers.

The India baby food market is experiencing a shift in sales channels, with hypermarkets and supermarkets leading the distribution. These stores provide a wide range of products, instant availability, and competitive pricing, making them a preferred choice for urban parents. Additionally, the presence of organic, premium, and international brands in supermarkets is influencing consumer preferences. Convenience stores also contribute significantly to sales, especially in semi-urban and rural areas, where parents rely on local retailers for regular baby food purchases. These stores ensure accessibility and cater to daily consumption needs. Pharmacies and drugstores remain trusted sources for baby food purchases, especially for specialized nutrition formulas and medically recommended products. Many parents prefer buying baby food from pharmacies due to quality assurance and expert recommendations from pediatricians. The online sales channel is experiencing the fastest growth, driven by e-commerce penetration, discounts, doorstep delivery, and product variety. Platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, and niche baby care websites are revolutionizing baby food shopping with subscription models, customized recommendations, and organic product availability. With India’s digital transformation and changing consumer behavior, online sales will continue to gain a significant share in the baby food market.
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Child nutrition drives the demand for baby food in India.

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