Maharashtra largest consumer of low price biscuits

Out of the total 36 lakh tonne biscuit consumed in the country annually, Maharashtra has emerged as the largest consumer of low price high nutrition biscuits, according to Biscuits Manufacturers Welfare Association (BMWA). Maharashtra leads with annual consumption of 1.90 lakh ton glucose, Marie and milk of LPHN biscuits every year, it said. 

Maharashtra is followed by Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand (1.75 lakh tonne), Tamil Nadu (1.11 lakh ton) and West Bengal (1.02 lakh tonne) in the tally. These states approximately consume one-sixth of the total

LPHN biscuits sold in the country. 

Other states that consume high volume of LPHN biscuits are Karnataka (93,000 tonne), Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh (80,000 ton), Gujarat (72,000 ton), Rajasthan, Bihar and Jharkhand (62,500 tonne each), the industry body said. Besides, Andhra Pradesh consumes 52,500 tonnes, Odisha 45,000 tonne and Punjab and Haryana 39,000 tonne each. 

“Low price high nutrition biscuits such as glucose, milk and Marie are hygienically produced affordable snack which is retailed in packs with MRP of Rs 2 to Rs 5 in all states. Approximately, 6 cr packets are consumed per day and are popular in low income group and BPL families,” BMWA President Haresh Doshi said.

According to the data association by the industry body, the domestic biscuit industry market size is Rs 37,500 cr including 26,500 cr in organised and Rs 11,000 cr in unorganized sector, respectively. The sector provides employment to 72 lakh people directly and indirectly. While LPHN biscuit market is growing, premium category segment of biscuits too is growing in the country.

The association estimates that 18.25 lakh tonne of LPHN biscuits will be consumed in 2017, whereas nearly about 16.75 lakh tonne premium category including cream, chocolate and cheese biscuits will be sold. The biscuit manufacturers have also sought exemption of low price biscuits in goods and services tax (GST).  The manufacturers say low price biscuits are item of mass consumption and higher taxes will have an adverse impact on production as well as demand.