Namkeen is a traditional Indian savory snack enjoyed across every age group. From small tea stalls to luxury supermarkets, namkeen products are consumed daily. The Indian packaged snack market is growing at 12–15% CAGR, making namkeen manufacturing a high-demand and low-risk food business.
With ₹5–10 lakh investment, entrepreneurs can start a small to medium-scale namkeen manufacturing unit and scale up as demand increases.
2. Market Demand & Growth Potential
Why Namkeen Business is Profitable in India?
Daily consumption product
Massive demand in rural & urban markets
Low production cost
High shelf life
Excellent repeat customer rate
Strong wholesale & retail distribution network
Market Growth Trends:
Rising demand for packaged hygienic snacks
Increase in online grocery & quick commerce platforms
Export demand from USA, UK, UAE, Canada, Australia
3. Business Model & Types of Namkeen Products
Popular Namkeen Products You Can Manufacture:
Aloo Bhujia
Ratlami Sev
Khatta Meetha Mixture
Chana Dal
Moong Dal
Masala Peanuts
Bikaneri Bhujia
Cornflakes Mixture
Mathri & Papdi
Diet & baked namkeen (premium segment)
Business Models:
Own brand manufacturing
White-label manufacturing
Contract manufacturing
Wholesale bulk supply
4. Initial Investment & Cost Breakdown
Total Investment: ₹5 – ₹10 Lakhs
Expense Category
Approx Cost (₹)
Machinery & Equipment
₹3 – ₹6 Lakhs
Raw Material
₹50,000 – ₹1 Lakh
Rent & Setup
₹50,000 – ₹1.5 Lakhs
Packaging Material
₹50,000 – ₹1 Lakh
Licensing & Registration
₹15,000 – ₹50,000
Branding & Marketing
₹25,000 – ₹75,000
5. Machinery & Equipment Required
Namkeen extruder machine
Dough kneader
Fryer (gas/electric)
Oil filter machine
Mixer & seasoning drum
Cooling conveyor
Packing machine (semi / automatic)
Weighing machine
Sealing machine
6. Raw Materials & Ingredients
Gram flour (besan)
Rice flour
Edible oil
Spices & masala
Salt
Food additives (as per FSSAI norms)
Packaging pouches
7. Manufacturing Process Step-by-Step
Raw material mixing
Dough kneading
Shaping using extruder
Frying process
Oil draining & cooling
Flavor mixing
Weighing & packing
Labeling & dispatch
8. Space & Location Requirements
Ideal Location:
Industrial Area / Food Processing Zone
Space Requirement:
Small unit: 500 – 800 sq. ft.
Medium unit: 1000 – 2000 sq. ft.
Infrastructure Needed:
3-phase electricity
Water supply
Gas pipeline / LPG
Ventilation system
Hygiene flooring & drainage
9. Licenses & Legal Compliance
Mandatory licenses to start namkeen manufacturing business in India:
FSSAI License – Food Safety Registration
GST Registration
MSME (Udyam) Registration
Trade License (Local authority)
Factory License (if applicable)
Fire Safety Certificate
10. Manpower & Skill Requirements
Role
No. of Staff
Production Workers
2 – 5
Packaging Staff
1 – 3
Supervisor
1
Sales Executive
1
Skills Required:
Food processing knowledge
Cooking & seasoning skills
Hygiene & safety handling
11. Profit Margin & Income Potential
Average Profit Margin: 25% – 40%
Monthly Income Example:
Monthly Turnover
Profit (Approx)
₹3 Lakhs
₹75,000 – ₹1.2 Lakhs
₹6 Lakhs
₹1.5 – ₹2.4 Lakhs
₹10 Lakhs
₹2.5 – ₹4 Lakhs
12. Packaging & Branding Strategy
Best Packaging Types:
Pillow pouches
Stand-up zipper pouches
Bulk packaging (1kg, 5kg)
Branding Tips:
Attractive logo
Colorful packaging
Clear ingredient labeling
Hygienic manufacturing claims
FSSAI number display
13. Marketing & Sales Channels
Offline Channels:
Local retailers
Wholesale markets
Distributors
Hotels & restaurants
Canteens & institutions
Online Channels:
Amazon
Flipkart
JioMart
Blinkit
Swiggy Instamart
Own website & WhatsApp marketing
14. Export Opportunities
Indian namkeen is in huge demand in:
USA
UK
UAE
Canada
Australia
Singapore
Export registration, APEDA membership, and IEC license enable international sales.
15. Business Expansion Ideas
Add wafer & chips line
Launch baked healthy snacks
Introduce combo packs
Franchise model
Regional flavor variants
16. Challenges & Risk Management
Challenge
Solution
Quality consistency
Standard recipes & QC
Competition
Unique taste & branding
Shelf-life control
Proper packaging
Raw material price fluctuation
Bulk sourcing
17. Conclusion
The Namkeen Manufacturing Business in India is a high-demand, high-profit, and scalable venture. With proper planning, quality control, branding, and marketing, entrepreneurs can easily build a profitable snack food brand in a short time.
If you are planning to enter the Food Manufacturing Industry, namkeen production is one of the best low-risk startup business ideas in India.