FMCG players expect volume trends to sustain as demand rises in rural mkts

Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies expect to sustain volume growth in the coming quarters, buoyed by recovery of demand in rural markets and good monsoon, despite concerns over growing food inflation.

FMCG majors, including HUL, ITC, Dabur, Britannia, Nestle and Emami, in their June quarter earnings have reported 'green shoots' from the rural markets and strong growth from e-commerce channels, particularly from quick-commerce platforms.

The industry had around 6.6 per cent volume growth in the April-June period of this fiscal. However, companies are worried about elevated food inflation as coffee and cocoa prices have gone up unprecedently. Amid expectations of an increase in cereals and grains prices, some of the players have even indicated price hikes.

Dabur CEO Mohit Malhotra said, "Going forward, the volume will increase on the back of rural inching up for us. So I expect the subsequent quarters to be better than our existing quarters, but definitely not worse."

He ...