From Ketchup to Peanut Butter: India’s Spreads and Sauces Are Making a Splash

India’s spreads and sauces market is on fire, valued at over one lakh crore, and growing faster than a samosa in a tandoor. With a mix of traditional Indian flavors and global favorites, the market is seeing a surge in innovation, convenience, and health-focused options. From Pintola and Veeba to new-age D2C brands like Wingreens and Alpino, Indian brands are redefining what we slather on our bread, rice, and chips. Let’s take a flavorful tour of the brands shaping India’s condiment revolution, one spoonful at a time.

INDIAN BRANDS TAKING A DIP

1. Veeba – The D2C Condiment Disruptor

Veeba, from VRB Consumer Products, is a fast-growing brand in the sauces, dips, and spreads segment. Initially focusing on B2B with QSRs, it aggressively entered the retail market, offering premium quality sauces and condiments. Veeba catering to both traditional and global tastes, and is gaining traction among the modern Indian consumer.

1. Pintola – The Peanut Butter for the Fitness Crowd

Pintola, from Das Foodtech, is a leading peanut butter brand that caters to the health and fitness segment. Launched in 2016, it offers smooth, creamy, and natural peanut butter without added sugars or preservatives. Pintola is perfect for the modern, protein-focused Indian.

1. Alpino – The Six-Friend Peanut Butter Dream

Alpino, from Alpino Health Foods, was co-founded by six friends in 2016. It gained national attention and a sales boost after appearing on a popular business reality show. Alpino offers a range of peanut butters and spreads, all focused on health and quality.

1. Tops – The All-Rounder in Spreads

Tops, from GD Foods Pvt. Ltd., is an established FMCG brand that has been in the market since 1984. It offers a wide range of products, from ketchups and jams to sauces and relishes, and is especially popular in North India.

1. Wingreens – The Dips and Spreads with a Twist

Wingreens, from Wingreens World, is a D2C food brand that started in 2011 with fresh herb and garlic dips at local farmers’ markets. Today, it offers a range of sauces, dips, and spreads that combine Indian and global flavors. Wingreens is all about innovation and taste.

1. Snac Tac – Reliance’s Condiment Venture

Snac Tac, from Reliance Retail, is a private label brand of ketchups, sauces, and spreads. Launched in 2017, it’s part of Reliance’s push into the FMCG space, offering affordable, quality condiments to millions of Indian households.

1. Cremica – The QSR Favourite Turned Retail Hero

Cremica, from Mrs. Rajni Bector, was established in 1978 and built its reputation by supplying QSR chains with quality condiments. It later expanded into retail with ketchups, mayonnaise, and sandwich spreads, becoming a trusted name in Indian kitchens.

1. Ching’s Secret – The Desi Chinese Sauce Champion

Ching’s Secret, now under Tata Consumer Products, is a leading Desi Chinese brand that specializes in noodles, masalas, and sauces. Launched in 1996, it dominated the market for Indianized Chinese sauces, with spicy, tangy, and authentic flavors.

1. MuscleBlaze – Protein-Packed Peanut Butter for Fitness

MuscleBlaze, from HealthKart, is best known for its sports nutrition products, but it also offers high-protein peanut butter for fitness-conscious consumers. Launched in 2012, MuscleBlaze combines nutrition and taste, making it a favorite among gym-goers.

FOREIGN BRANDS

1. Kissan – The Jam and Ketchup Giant

Kissan, owned by Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) a subsidiary of British multinational Unilever, has been a household name since 1934. Originally a subsidiary of Mitchell’s, Kissan dominates the Indian market with its jams, ketchups, and squashes. It’s a staple in Indian kitchens, loved for its affordability, taste, and long shelf life.

1. Maggi – Beyond Noodles to Spreads

Maggi, from Nestlé S.A, a swiss company is best known for its noodles, but it’s also a big player in the sauces and ketchups segment. Launched in the 1980s, Maggi’s tomato ketchup and sauces have become pantry essentials, especially in urban households. It’s a symbol of convenience and flavor.

1. Nutella – The Italian Hazelnut Sensation

Nutella, from Ferrero Group (Italy), is a global icon in the chocolate-nut spread category. Invented in 1946 as Pasta Gianduja, it was rebranded as Nutella in 1964. It entered India as an imported product, and has gradually gained a following for its rich, creamy flavor.

1. Del Monte – The Global Flavor in Indian Shelves

Del Monte, now under Sundrop (USA), is known for its ketchups, mayonnaise, and packaged fruits. It has a long history in India, and has been repositioning itself to meet changing consumer preferences.

1. Hellmann’s – The Mayonnaise with a Global Touch

Hellmann’s, from Unilever (UK), was founded in 1913 in New York and entered India in the late 2010s. It targets the modern trade and food service segments, offering premium mayonnaise and dressings.

1. Sundrop – From Oil to Peanut Butter

Sundrop, from Agro Tech Foods (USA), is best known for its edible oil, but it also entered the spreads category in the early 2000s with protein-rich peanut butter options. It capitalized on the growing demand for healthy breakfasts.

1. Funfoods – The Mayonnaise Powerhouse

Funfoods, from Dr. Oetker (Germany), is a leading brand in mayonnaise and dressings. Acquired in 2008, it has a strong B2B presence, especially in QSR and food service, and is now expanding into the retail space.