Crafting the Next Era of Packaged Foods 

-Dr Varun Chowdhary, Managing Director, CG Corp Global

Continuing NUFFOODS Spectrum’s 12th Anniversary Special interview series, we feature Dr Varun Chowdhary, Managing Director, CG Corp Global, on Crafting the Next Era of Packaged Foods. In this second edition of the series, Dr Chowdhary outlines Vision 2030 for CG Foods, charting the growth of India’s instant noodles and packaged foods market through innovation, regional strength, and digital engagement. From flavour-led product diversification to tier-2 and tier-3 market penetration, sustainability goals, and global expansion, CG Foods is redefining affordability, quality, and brand loyalty in the evolving F&B landscape. Edited excerpts;

How does CG Foods envision the growth of India’s instant noodles and packaged foods category by 2030, especially with evolving youth consumption trends?

Based on current trends, we envision strong growth for India’s instant noodles and packaged foods category by 2030. In fact, we expect per capita consumption of noodles to rise sharply as new global trends take center stage. As part of this industry, I believe our growth, in particular, will be driven by new consumption trends and demand for global flavours, healthier alternatives, and new varieties. Regardless, we will be prepared to capture a larger market share by strategically innovating flavour profiles and expanding our ready-to-eat and on-the-go product range. We also intend to strengthen our distribution and digital channels to capture Millennial and Gen Z preferences and expand our presence in tier 2 and tier 3 markets.

Wai Wai has a unique positioning as “Ready to Eat or Cook.” How has this format helped you differentiate in the Indian market, and what innovations can we expect in this segment going forward?

Wai Wai Noodles’ “Ready to Eat or Cook” format has given us a unique brand identity in the Indian instant noodles market. The flexibility to cook the noodles or eat them straight from the packet appeals to consumers who are always on the go. To retain our appeal, we intend to innovate within this segment by launching new flavours, expanding convenient meal options, and strengthening our portfolio across other food categories.

Could you share the percentage growth or volume expansion you’ve witnessed in India over the past 2–3 years, and what growth target are you working toward by 2030?

Over the past 2 to 3 years, we have recorded steady volume expansion and strong double-digit growth for CG Foods in India. Much of this growth can be credited to our strategic distribution expansion, regional strength, and brand loyalty. Based on this momentum, our immediate revenue target is to achieve Rs 1,200 crore by FY26 and advance toward our long-term goal of Rs 10,000 crore over a decade. To meet this ambitious goal, we are working on broadening our SKUs and export reach.

With your manufacturing presence in Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Assam, and Telangana, how are you leveraging regional strengths to scale operations nationally? Are new plants or capacity expansions on the roadmap?

We leverage our distribution and manufacturing footprint to shorten supply chains and reduce logistics costs. That’s why we are aggressively expanding our presence in different locations to tap into local markets and consumer bases. For example, we expect our new plants in Madhya Pradesh and Assam to serve broader markets and improve supply chain responsiveness, which could help us increase our annual production capacity by a notable margin.

Affordability remains a critical factor in India’s tier 2 and 3 cities. How is CG Foods balancing price sensitivity with quality and taste innovation?

To establish a balance between affordability, quality and taste innovation, we deploy cost-effective manufacturing technologies, prioritise local sourcing, and establish regional plants. This approach helps us lower input and distribution costs, enabling us to offer competitive pricing for price-sensitive consumers in tier 2 and 3 cities. It further supports our efforts to sustain R&D-led product innovations in premium and urban markets. Beyond these strategic efforts, promotional packs, regional variants, and efficient manufacturing practices help us keep unit economics low without diluting perceived taste or safety standards.

Can you talk about your upcoming product innovations, especially regional flavours or new snack/meal formats that appeal to Gen Z and college-going consumers?

To keep our product portfolio fresh and meet global food trends, we are developing new regional flavours with an international twist. Additionally, we are consciously experimenting with youth-first formats such as snack noodles, cup noodles, and ready-to-eat global flavours to build consumer loyalty. Consumers can expect our upcoming products to focus on spicier, trendy variants and convenient packaging.

How is CG Foods leveraging digital platforms and influencer marketing to build stronger brand loyalty among younger audiences?

We view digital platforms and influencer marketing as tools to engage younger demographics such as Millennials and Gen Z. Instead of relying solely on paid collaborations, we encourage our consumers to promote our products. Social media campaigns, online content, and collaborations with known public figures such as Ayushman Khurana and Purnima Shrestha have been helpful in building brand loyalty. Similarly, Instagram reels and tailored campaigns have helped us create contests and digital exercises to boost engagement and build trust over the years.

What sustainability initiatives are in place at CG Foods in terms of local sourcing, energy-efficient manufacturing, or eco-friendly packaging? Any ESG targets for 2030?

Sustainability has always been integral to CG Foods’ operations. For our 2030 ESG targets, emphasis will be on carbon footprint reduction to align with global sustainability goals. That’s why, as a company with an international presence, we will continue to maintain energy efficiency during our projects, practice water management and waste reduction, and source raw materials locally.

What is your export vision for Wai Wai and other products from the Indian manufacturing base? Are there new regional or global markets on your radar?

We have a growth-centric and positive vision for our Wai Wai noodles and other CG Foods products. We are currently targeting new regional markets in Nepal and India, as well as global markets in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Sri Lanka, to expand our footprint. Our immediate focus is on leveraging our wide manufacturing presence in India to serve regional demands in a timely manner. We are also working on scaling our export potential and new plants to strengthen global market penetration and establish CG Foods as a diversified and global food business.

Mansi Jamsudkar Padvekar 

mansi.jamsudkar@mmactiv.com