Rising Frozen French Fries Consumption in India Due to Fast Food Culture

India's fast food industry is projected to grow over 10% per annum and grow exponentially by the year 2028. Frozen potato products are also expected to increase, with a value of over 5000 crores expected by 2027, spearheaded by frozen french fries. These have transitioned from being a delicacy to a staple found in nearly every home and restaurant, with over 70% of Quick Service restaurants using them on a regular basis. This change signifies the increasing prevalence of fast food in the nation, which continues to transform dietary patterns across India. Let's understand how the growth of fast food culture is boosting the popularity of frozen french fries.

Growth of Fast Food Culture in India

The fast-food industry in India is experiencing exponential growth, driven by several key factors:

Key Drivers of Fast Food Expansion

1. Urbanization: With more than 35% of the Indian population residing in Urban centres, traditional eating habits have shifted towards convenience and speed.
2. Employment Shift: With greater employment opportunities, individuals have come to demand more ready-to-eat meals due to the hectic schedules professionals are bound to follow.
3. Globalized Acceptance: Internationalisation owing to globalization gives rise to acceptance of global cuisine such as french fries, burgers, etc.
4. Expansion of QSR: The growth of International brands like McDonald’s, KFC, and Burger King has led to a greater supply of frozen French fries due to the growing demand these franchises have created.
5. Online Food Delivery: Services like Swiggy and Zomato have popularized the fast food culture which increases the consumption of frozen French fries.

Rising Demand for Frozen French Fries in India

Indians no longer consider frozen French fries an out-of-home delicacy. They have also become household staples. A spike in demand can be seen in both the B2B (hotels, restaurants, QSRs) and the B2C (retail consumers, online shops) markets.

Market Statistics of Frozen French Fries in India

• As stated in Research and Markets 2023, the Indian frozen potato products market stood at $1.12 billion in 2023 and is expected to increase to $2.5 billion by 2028, with a CAGR of 14.7%.
• In India, frozen French fries account for 65% of the frozen potato market.
• During the pandemic, the retail sale of frozen fries in India surged by 37% due to increased consumption at home.

Consumer Trends Driving Growth

1. Surge in Home Cooking: The pandemic has fueled demand for frozen food products such as French fries and pizza.
2. Change in Storage Space: The increasing penetration of refrigerators and deep freezers in the Indian household aids in stored frozen fries.
3. Healthier Options: New releases of fries packed with lower oil levels, air-fryer compatible, or even organic are being launched to meet fitness-centric demands.
4. Custom Flavours: There is a rise in demand for spiced, peri-peri, and masala-flavored frozen fries in India.

Increasing Home Consumption & Changing Lifestyles

There has been an upward trend in Indian homes regarding frozen food consumption and it has led to a shift in social norm where French fries were only served in restaurants. Various reasons have led towards this phenomenon:

Factors Contributing To Increasing Home Consumption

• Work-From-Home Arrangement: Hybrid and fully remote jobs have led to an increase in demand for easy-to-cook French fries across the nation.
• Increase In Nuclear Families: Having both partners work means that meal solutions like frozen fries are a no-brainer as they require little prep time.
• Healthier Cooking Alternatives: The air fryer craze allows consumers to add their own seasonings while making the fries at home, thus reducing oil consumption.
• Parental Convenience: The minimal prep time and effort required makes dining a child's snack of choice, frozen French fries, appealing to parents.

Consumer Behavior Shift

The Role of B2B and B2C in Expanding the Fast Food Market

The frozen French fries segment in India thrives on two major channels:

• B2B Segment: Large QSRs and hotels dominate the demand, requiring bulk frozen fries for standardized offerings.
• B2C Segment: Increasing retail availability has driven 20% YoY growth in at-home consumption.

How Pepizo Foods is Leading the Market

With the growth of the industry, Pepizo Foods has conceptualized and applied innovative solutions on both B2B and B2C fronts, which has helped them become one of the frontrunners in the frozen French fries segment.

Pepizo’s Market Leadership Strategies

• High-Quality Sourcing: Uses the best quality potatoes to guarantee taste and texture.
• Advanced Processing and Packaging: Achieves retention of flavor and crispy texture with quick freezing techniques.
• Greater Product Varieties: Shoestring Fries, Crinkle Cut Fries, Masala Fries, Skin-on french fries, and many others.
• B2B Customer Network: Provides to premier restaurants, QSRs, as well as catering services throughout India.

Pepizo’s Competitive Edge

Conclusion

The growth of fast food culture in India has propelled the frozen French fries market to new heights, creating opportunities for both B2B and B2C players. As consumer preferences evolve, brands that offer convenience, quality, and variety will dominate the industry. Pepizo Foods, with its superior product range and strategic market positioning, is at the forefront of this revolution, driving both large-scale and household consumption of frozen French fries in India.