India is home to some of the oldest food brands in the world. Some of these brands have been around for centuries, surviving wars, famines, and economic downturns. These timeless food brands have become part of India's culinary heritage and have continued to thrive in spite of the changing times.
Let’s take a look at India's oldest food brands and discover what makes them timeless!
AMUL
Amul is one of the oldest and most successful food brands in India. The brand was founded in 1946, in the state of Gujarat, by a cooperative society of milk producers known as the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd. (GCMMF). The goal of the brand was to empower small-scale milk producers and provide them with a fair price for their milk.
The brand was formed in response to the exploitation of milk producers by middlemen and the lack of infrastructure for milk collection and distribution. Dr. Verghese Kurien was one of the founders of Amul, and he saw the potential for a cooperative model that would enable small-scale milk producers to band together and bargain for fair prices for their milk.
The Amul model was based on the "Anand Pattern" of cooperative dairying, which was developed by Dr. Kurien and his team. Under this model, milk producers were organized into small, village-based cooperatives, which were then linked to larger district-level cooperatives. These district-level cooperatives were then linked to the GCMMF, which acted as the marketing and distribution arm for the brand.
The brand was an immediate success, and it quickly grew to become one of the largest and most successful food brands in India. Today, Amul is a household name in India and is known for its wide range of dairy products, including milk, butter, cheese, and ice cream. The brand is also known for its iconic mascot, the "Amul Girl”, who has become an iconic symbol of the brand.
BRITANNIA
Britannia Industries Limited is one of the oldest and most successful food brands in India. The company was established in 1892 as a small biscuit-making venture in Kolkata, West Bengal. Initially, the company only made two types of cookies: Marie and Glucose. However, over the years, the company expanded its product range to include various types of biscuits, bread, cakes, rusks, and dairy products.
The company was initially known as the "Britannia Biscuit Company," and it was founded by a group of entrepreneurs who wanted to provide high-quality biscuits to the British soldiers stationed in India. The company quickly established itself as a leading biscuit manufacturer in India, and it soon began to export its products to other countries in the region.
In the early 1970s, the company was acquired by the Wadia Group, and it was renamed Britannia Industries Limited. Under the new ownership, the company expanded its product range to include various types of biscuits, bread, cakes, and dairy products. The company also began to focus on building its brand through aggressive marketing campaigns and by sponsoring various sports and cultural events.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Britannia Industries Limited continued to expand its product range and increased its focus on exports. The company established a strong presence in the Middle East, Africa, and other countries in the region.
Today, Britannia Industries Limited has a market cap of around $2 billion, and it is ranked as the 44th most valuable brand in India by Brand Finance. It is also a member of the Nifty 50 stock market index.
DABUR
Dabur India Limited is one of the oldest and most well-known food and healthcare brands in India. Dr. S.K. Burman, a physician, founded the business in 1884 and used his understanding of Ayurveda, the conventional Indian system of medicine, to develop natural health and personal care products.
The company was initially called "Dr. Burman's," and it produced a range of Ayurvedic medicines and tonics. Over the years, the company expanded its product range to include a wide range of natural health and personal care products, such as herbal supplements, hair oils, and toothpastes.
In the 1970s, the company was renamed "Dabur India Limited," and it began to focus on building its brand through aggressive marketing campaigns and by sponsoring various sports and cultural events. The company also expanded its operations to other parts of India, and it established manufacturing facilities in various states.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Dabur India Limited continued to expand its product range, and it also increased its focus on exports. The company established a strong presence in the Middle East, Africa, and other countries in the region.
Today, Dabur India Limited is one of the most successful and well-known food and healthcare brands in India, with a market cap of around $2 billion. It is ranked as the 42nd most valuable brand in India by Brand Finance.
MTR FOODS
MTR Foods is one of the oldest and best-known food brands in India. The company was founded in 1924 by Y.C. Narayan Murthy and T. Rangaswamy in Bangalore. The company started with a small restaurant called "Mavalli Tiffin Room" (MTR), which served traditional South Indian dishes like idli, dosa, and sambar.
In the 1930s and 1940s, MTR Foods started to manufacture and sell packaged food products, such as instant mixes for traditional South Indian dishes. These products were initially sold only in restaurants, but as the demand for them grew, the company began to sell them in retail stores as well.
In the 1970s and 1980s, MTR Foods expanded its product range to include a wide variety of packaged food products, including instant mixes for traditional Indian dishes, ready-to-eat meals, and snacks. The company also started to focus on building its brand through aggressive marketing campaigns and by sponsoring different sports and cultural events.
In the 1990s and 2000s, MTR Foods continued to expand its product range and increased its focus on exports. The company established a strong presence in the Middle East, Africa, and other countries in the region. The company also started doing business in other parts of India and set up manufacturing plants in different states.
The company currently has a market capitalization of around $500 million, and Brand Finance has ranked it as the 49th most valuable brand in India.
PARLE-G
Parle Products Private Limited is another one of India's oldest and most well-known food brands. The company was founded in 1929 by two brothers, Narottam and Chimanlal Chauhan, in British-colonized India, in Vile Parle, a suburb of Mumbai.
The company started with a single product, Parle-G, a glucose biscuit that quickly became popular among consumers and became the flagship brand of the company. Over the years, the company expanded its product range to include various types of biscuits, confectionery, and snacks.
In the 1940s and 1950s, Parle Products Private Limited continued to grow, and it began to establish itself as one of the leading food brands in India. The company also began to focus on building its brand through aggressive marketing campaigns and by sponsoring various sports and cultural events.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the company expanded its operations to other parts of India, and it established manufacturing facilities in various states. The company also added different kinds of biscuits, candies, and snacks to its line of goods.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Parle Products Private Limited continued to expand its product range, and it also increased its focus on exports. The company established a strong presence in the Middle East, Africa, and other countries in the region.
Today, Parle Products Private Limited is one of the most successful and well-known food brands in India. The company's market cap is around $1 billion, and it is ranked as the 45th most valuable brand in India by Brand Finance.
These brands have also embraced social media and used it to create a global presence, allowing them to engage with their customers in a more direct and personal manner and stay relevant in the modern era.
India's oldest food brands are not only a testament to the enduring popularity of traditional Indian food but also to the resilience and adaptability of these family-owned companies that have managed to stand the test of time in a competitive market.