India Bottled Water Market Overview, 2028

In many areas of India, there are serious concerns about access to clean and safe drinking water. When the quality of tap water is in question, bottled water is frequently seen as a dependable and trustworthy source of drinking water. Customers trust bottled water brands that are regarded as reliable and safe. In certain religious and spiritual practises in India, purity is highly valued. Bottled water is sometimes preferred for ritual purposes or consumed during fasting periods when tap water is avoided. This cultural aspect contributes to the demand for bottled water in specific contexts. With an increasing focus on health and wellness, bottled water has gained popularity among health-conscious individuals. Many people prefer bottled water as a healthier alternative to sugary beverages or tap water that may contain impurities. The perception of bottled water as a clean and hygienic option contributes to its demand. India is a popular tourist destination, and bottled water is often recommended for travellers to ensure safe drinking water. Tourists, both domestic and international, often rely on bottled water to avoid waterborne diseases and maintain good health during their travels.

According to the research report "India Bottled Water Market Overview, 2028," published by Bonafide Research, the India Bottled Water Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of above 8.65% from 2023 to 2028. Bottled water is now available in a range of sizes, including 200-mL pouches and glasses, 330-mL bottles, 500-mL bottles, one-litre bottles, and even 20- to 50-litre bulk water packs. In terms of price, the bottled water industry in India is classified into three categories: premium natural mineral water, natural mineral water, and packaged drinking water. According to a national-level survey, India has over 200 bottled water brands, with roughly 80 percent of them being indigenous companies. In fact, bottled water production is becoming a cottage industry in the country. Parle was the pioneer Indian company to enter the bottled water market in the country by introducing Bisleri in India 25 years ago and creating "Bisleri" as the synonym of mineral water. However, that image is getting worse with the entry of major international giants like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Nestle and the noticeable presence of national players like Mount Everest, Manikchand, and Kingfisher. Their distribution network and professional marketing approach resulted in them capturing a major chunk of the bottled water market, though they are receiving good fights from the regional players as well. One thing that has to be noted in this business is that the required infrastructure and the distribution network requirements remain the same for all types of players, whether they are operating at national or regional levels.

The bottled water market is a symbol of a new lifestyle and health consciousness rising in India. While a substantial portion of the population struggles to get safe drinking water, a new generation, particularly in metropolitan areas, is becoming accustomed to paying high prices for bottled water. Over the last five years, the bottle water market has grown. Higher disposable income, an increasing taste for hygiene, an improved price, easier availability of packaged drinking water, and a lack of safe drinking water are driving demand for bottled water. While India is among the top ten bottled water users in the world, its per capita bottled water consumption is estimated to be five litres per year, which is far lower than the global average of 24 litres. Bottled water is becoming one of India's fastest-growing industries. Almost all the major international and national brand water bottles have penetrated the Indian market and are available everywhere, from malls to railway stations to bus stations to multiplexes to grocery stores and even at panwala's shops. It has penetrated so deeply into the market that now it’s very common to consume bottled water, whereas just a few years ago, it was considered the rich people's choice and fashion to consume bottled water. Thanks to low pricing and aggressive marketing strategies adopted by the multinationals. Some surveys show that truck drivers on highways make up a major chunk of bottled water drinkers. Penetration in rural areas is another significant factor that is likely to play a key role in the development of the bottled water trade.

The bottled water industry faces criticism regarding its environmental impact. The widespread use of plastic bottles contributes to plastic waste and pollution. Increasing awareness about environmental sustainability may influence consumer preferences and lead to the adoption of alternative solutions like reusable bottles or water filters. Further, India's vast geographical expanse and diverse consumer base present distribution challenges. Ensuring an efficient and reliable distribution network to reach both urban and rural areas can be complex and costly, affecting availability and accessibility. The key regulatory authority responsible for regulating the bottled water industry in India is the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). FSSAI is a statutory body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, and it is responsible for formulating and enforcing food safety standards in the country. FSSAI conducts regular inspections and sampling of bottled water products to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards. Manufacturers are also required to conduct internal quality control and testing to maintain product integrity. Furthermore, FSSAI has specific regulations regarding the packaging and labelling of bottled water. These include requirements for mandatory information on labels, such as the FSSAI logo, licence or registration number, batch number, date of manufacture, best before or use-by date, net quantity, etc.

The Indian bottled water market is one of the fastest-growing industries in the country, with a billion-dollar business expected by the end of the decade if present development trends continue. Increased disposable income, a weak public water distribution system and infrastructure, and the Indian government's lack of concern for the nation's water resources are all factors leading to such rapid growth. However, like any company, the Indian bottled water industry has hurdles such as insufficient transportation infrastructure, low entry barriers, difficulty in brand identification, and occasionally threats from environmentalists and social activists opposing the usage of bottled water. India is blessed with abundant natural water resources, but rising population, alarming rates of global warming, and rapid industrialization, combined with a lack of adequate and improved management of water supply systems, have resulted in increased water consumption, water waste, and the deterioration of water supply networks, resulting in water scarcity. Water scarcity in India has created new opportunities for the bottled water industry in the present decade.



Considered in this report
• Geography: India
• Historic year: 2017
• Base year: 2022
• Estimated year: 2023
• Forecast year: 2028

Aspects covered in this report
• India Bottled water market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Country-wise Germany Bottled water market analysis
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Product Type

• Still Water
• Sparkling Water
• Functional Water
• Enhanced Water

BY Sales Channel
• On trade
• Off trade

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual reports of companies, and analysing government-generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers into regional aspects, tier aspects, age groups, and gender. Once we have primary data with us. we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to Frozen Food Market, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.