Food Processing

In a pointed message to global corporations, Russian President Vladimir Putin has made it clear that Western companies, including McDonald’s, will not be welcomed back unconditionally if they seek to re-enter the Russian market. Speaking at a Kremlin business forum, Putin criticized the manner in which some firms exited Russia in response to Western sanctions and emphasized that any return must prioritize domestic interests.

Westlife Foodworld Ltd, the master franchisee for McDonald’s in West and South India, posted a more than two-fold rise in consolidated net profit for the quarter ended March 2025, reaching Rs. 1.52 crore. The company reported a 7.26% increase in quarterly revenue to Rs. 603.14 crore, backed by modest same-store sales growth and expanding restaurant count. However, the full-year performance saw an 82.44% decline in net profit to Rs. 12.14 crore, attributed to margin pressures and higher costs.

In a decisive move to standardize the food sector and safeguard public health, the Uttar Pradesh government has extended its state-wide campaign aimed at enforcing mandatory registration and licensing for all food business operators (FBOs) until May 31. Launched by the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) in early April, the initiative targets entities ranging from street vendors to industrial food units, ensuring their compliance under the Food Safety and Standards Act.

Food delivery and quick commerce giant Eternal Ltd, which owns the well-known brands Zomato and Blinkit, reported a consolidated net profit of Rs. 39 crore for the fourth quarter of FY2025, marking a significant decline from the Rs. 175 crore profit posted in the same period last year. Despite this drop in profits, the company saw a sharp rise in revenue from operations, with a year-on-year increase from Rs. 3,562 crore to Rs. 5,833 crore. However, Eternal also faced rising expenses and a widening loss in its quick commerce business, Blinkit.

Zomato's founder and CEO, Deepinder Goyal, recently responded to an anonymous Reddit post that accused the company of losing market share, enforcing unrealistic employee policies, and facing internal crises. Goyal categorically rejected the claims, stating that the company is not losing market share and would never force employees to use its platform. The allegations also highlighted leadership turmoil and the challenges faced by underpaid delivery partners.

Union Minister Chirag Paswan recently highlighted the vast potential of India's food processing sector, stressing its pivotal role in establishing India as a global food hub. He emphasized the importance of innovation, skill development, and youth empowerment in driving the sector's growth. Through initiatives such as SUFALAM 2025, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries is committed to enhancing food production, reducing wastage, and fostering collaboration between startups and stakeholders.

Investment in India's agrifoodtech sector surged dramatically in 2024, tripling to USD 2.5 billion from the previous year's USD 806 million, largely fueled by Zepto's impressive USD 1.4 billion funding. A report by Omnivore and AgFunder highlighted this growth, with the eGrocery and restaurant tech sectors seeing significant inflows, spurred by India's urban population density. Globally, agrifoodtech investments in developing markets hit USD 3.7 billion, with India leading the charge.

Haldiram’s, India’s largest packaged snack and sweets company, has successfully merged its Delhi and Nagpur branches to form Haldiram Snacks Food Private Ltd (HSFPL). The merger, officially completed and announced by CEO Krishan Kumar Chutani, marks a new chapter in the company’s legacy. This strategic move comes on the heels of Haldiram’s securing a USD 10 billion valuation (approximately Rs. 85,000 crore) following a deal with three key investors.