India's biggest consumer goods companies are increasingly finding their growth in what consumers drink rather than what they eat, as coffee, ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages, protein-based products and low-sugar juices emerge as some of the fastest-growing categories in the country's FMCG market.
Recent quarterly earnings from Nestle India, Hindustan Unilever (HUL), Tata Consumer Products, Dabur India and Varun Beverages point to a common trend: beverages are consistently outpacing broader portfolio growth, prompting companies to expand product offerings, launch new formats and invest heavily in premium and functional drinks aimed at younger consumers.
