Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Orkla India resumes double-digit growth, eyes regional brand acquisitions
Orkla India is a big food company in India that makes popular products like MTR, Eastern and Rasoi Magic foods.
For a long time, the prices of spices were falling, which made it hard for the company to grow.
But in the first quarter of this financial year, the company started growing again.
The money it earned from selling products went up by about 11.5 percent.
At the same time, the price of spices like chilli and coriander went up by almost 33 percent.
Even with higher prices, people kept buying the company's foods.
The company says the government helped by cutting income taxes and interest rates, so people had more money to spend.
People in villages and cities are both buying more food, and the company is hopeful about the upcoming festive season.
Orkla India plans to launch more new products, like protein-rich breakfasts and special regional masalas.
It also wants to buy or partner with strong local food brands in different states of India.
Orkla India returned to double-digit revenue growth in Q1, ending eight quarters of commodity deflation and subdued growth.
Reported revenue grew about 10.4%, while product sales rose approximately 11.5% with volume growth of 1.7%.
Spice prices jumped about 32.8%, with chilli and coriander seeing significant increases, as the category turned inflationary.
Ebitda margin improved to 17.5% in the June quarter from 16% in March, though down from 18.7% a year earlier partly due to prior PLI scheme benefits.
Orkla India launched 23 innovations and is actively scouting acquisitions or partnerships with strong regional spice, masala and convenience food brands.
- Who
- Sanjay Sharma, MD & CEO of Orkla India, the company behind the MTR, Eastern and Rasoi Magic brands.
- What
- Orkla India posted double-digit Q1 revenue growth and outlined a strategy of building growth engines, including regional acquisitions and new product innovations.
- When
- First quarter of FY26 (the June quarter), compared with the March quarter and Q1FY26.
- Where
- India, including the Kerala redistribution project and digital commerce across the top 28 metros, with exports to the UK and Europe.
- Why
- Government measures to raise disposable incomes, such as income tax and interest rate cuts and GST rationalisation, boosted FMCG demand, with strong rural and improving urban demand supporting growth.
- Company
- Orkla India (MD & CEO: Sanjay Sharma)
- Key brands
- MTR, Eastern, Rasoi Magic
- Q1 reported revenue growth
- ~10.4%
- Q1 product sales growth
- ~11.5% (volume +1.7%)
- Sales growth excluding Kerala
- ~12.1% (volume +4.4%)
- Spice price inflation
- ~32.8% (chilli and coriander sharpest)
- Ebitda margin
- 17.5% in June quarter vs 16% in March; 18.7% in Q1FY26
- Innovations launched in June quarter
- 23 (regional masalas, premium products, protein-rich breakfasts)