By Lal Singh FMCG or Fast-Moving Consumer Goods refer to products that people buy frequently, consume quickly and replace often. They are low-cost, high-volume items with short shelf lives. Such products are divided into multiple categories, such as food and beverages, personal care, household items and others. FMCG products yield low profit margins per unit but high volume of sales make them profitable.
FMCG companies are those that are engaged in the production, marketing and distribution of such products. India has a dynamic FMCG landscape, dominated by established companies and prominent brands. Let’s have a look at the top 10 FMCG companies in India for the year 2026.
1. Hindustan Unilever Limited
Hindustan Unilever Limited, headquartered in Mumbai, is the largest and most valuable FMCG company in India. Founded in the year 1933, HUL is a subsidiary of the British-Dutch FMCG global giant, Unilever. The company produces and distributes a large number of products. These include detergents, cleaners, soaps, shampoos, oral care products, skin care products, tea, coffee and frozen desserts.
HUL owns more than 50 brands across product categories. Some of the prominent ones include Dove, Vaseline, Pepsodent, Brooke Bond, Lipton, Horlicks, Kissan, Knorr and Bru. The company has an extensive distribution network in India, reaching 9 of every 10 households.
2. ITC Limited
ITC Limited, based in Kolkata, is one of India’s largest diversified conglomerates and a major player in the FMCG sector. Founded in the year 1910 as Imperial Tobacco Company, its name was changed to Indian Tobacco Company Limited in 1970 and finally to ITC in 1974. ITC operates in multiple segments, with FMCG being its largest revenue generator.
ITC’s dominant FMCG segment is cigarette, with major brands like Gold Flake, Wills Navy Cut, Insignia and Classic under its ownership. Major non-cigarette brands of the company include Aashirvad Aata, Sunfeast Biscuits, Yippee Noodles and personal care brands like Fiama, Vivel and Engage.
3. Nestlé India
Nestlé India, headquartered in Gurugram, is the Indian subsidiary of the Swiss multinational food and drink processing conglomerate, Nestlé S.A. The company is operating in India since the year 1959 and is one of the largest players in India’s FMCG sector. Nestlé India operates in four main categories. These are milk products and nutrition, prepared dishes and cooking aids, powdered and liquid beverages and confectionery.
Nestlé India is particularly dominant in infant nutrition, coffee and instant noodles. Key brands include Maggi, Nescafe, Cerelac and Kit Kat. The company has also introduced advanced nutraceuticals in the Indian market.
4. Varun Beverages Limited
Varun Beverages Limited, headquartered in Gurugram, is one of India’s leading FMCG companies in the beverages sector. Founded in the year 1995, it is the largest franchisee bottler for PepsiCo outside the United States. The company manufactures, bottles and distributes PepsiCo’s beverages in India and across multiple international markets.
VBL’s core segments are carbonated soft drinks, non-carbonated beverages and packaged drinking water. Its portfolio includes popular brands like Pepsi, 7UP, Mountain Dew, Sting, Tropicana and Mirinda.
5. Britannia Industries Limited
Britannia Industries Limited, headquartered in Kolkata, is among the top FMCG companies in India. Founded in the year 1892, it is a part of the Wadia Group. The company specialises in bakery and dairy products. Britannia is particularly dominant in the organised biscuits market. Biscuits account for around 80% of the company’s revenue.
Britannia owns multiple popular biscuit brands like Good Day, Marie Gold, Bourbon, Milk Bikis, Tiger, 50-50, Little Hearts and NutriChoice. Other products in the company’s portfolio include milk, cheese, yogurt, milkshakes, bread, cakes, rusks and croissants.
6. Godrej Consumer Products Limited
Godrej Consumer Products Limited, based in Mumbai, is a prominent FMCG company in India. Established in the year 2001, GCPL is a part of the larger Godrej Group. The company specialises in household and personal care products. Its core product categories include household insecticides, air fresheners, fabric care, soaps, body care, hygiene, hair care, deodorants and beauty products.
GCPL owns multiple prominent brands, including Goodknight, Hit, Godrej Aer, Godrej Ezee, Cinthol, Godrej No.1, Godrej Expert and Godrej Renew. Apart from India, the company has a strong presence in Africa and Indonesia.
7. Dabur India Limited
Dabur India Limited, headquartered in Ghaziabad, is a leading FMCG company specialising in Ayurvedic and natural health and personal care products. Founded in the year 1884, Dabur is the largest Ayurvedic and natural health company in the world. The company operates in multiple products categories, including Ayurvedic medicines, digestives, supplements, hair care, oral care, skin care, fruit juices and nectars.
Dabur India Limited has a portfolio of over 250 products featuring natural, herbal ingredients. Some of its popular brands include Dabur Chyawanprash, Dabur Honey, Hajmola, Vatika and Real Juice.
8. Marico Limited
Mario Limited, headquartered in Mumbai, is among the top FMCG companies in India, specialising in hair care, edible oils, skin care products, healthy foods and male grooming products. Founded in the year 1988, Marico has emerged as a global player in the FMCG sector, with presence in 25 countries across Asia and Africa.
Marico Limited owns multiple prominent brands across product categories. These include Parachute, Nihar Naturals, Hair & Care, Livon, Set Wet, Beardo, Saffola, Coco Soul, True Elements, Mediker, Revive and Pure Sense.
9. Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited
Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited, headquartered in Mumbai, is a leading FMCG company in India, specialising in oral care products. It is an Indian subsidiary of the American multinational company, Colgate-Palmolive. The company has been a dominant player in the Indian oral care market since its inception in 1937.
Colgate-Palmolive (India) owns the iconic Colgate brand of toothpaste, toothpowder, mouthwash and toothbrushes. Its personal care products like soaps, shaving creams, hand washes and shower gels are sold under Palmolive brand.
10. Tata Consumer Products Limited
Tata Consumer Products Limited, headquartered in Mumbai, is one of the top FMCG companies in India. It was formed in the year 2020 through the merger of Tata Global Beverages and the consumer products division of Tata Chemicals. The company focuses on branded beverages and foods like tea, coffee, packaged water, salt, spices, staples, pulses and more,
Key brands owned by TCPL include Tata Salt, Tetley, Tata Tea, Himalayan, Eighth O Clock Coffee and Tata Sampann.
Conclusion
FMCG is the fourth-largest sector in the Indian economy. This sector is projected to grow at a CAGR of 14-21% in the next decade, driven by the major FMCG companies. Rural demand accounts for majority of FMCG sales in India.