Del Monte Pacific is planning to enter the India snacks market with a range of fruit-based packaged snacks within the next year, reports business-standard.com.
Del Monte plans to launch 40g and 50g packs at Rs20-30 (US$0.36-0.54), the report said. The average cost of health snacks is about Rs15 (US$0.27) for 12-15g packs. Traditional snacks such as potato chips, puffs and nuts, however, cost much less.
'Pricing is important, along with innovation and uniqueness,' said Yogesh Bellani, chief operating officer, FieldFresh Foods, the 50:50 joint venture between Bharti Ventrues and Del Monte Pacific.
The company tested the market for around six months before reaching the decision to launch the new fruit-based snacks.
The new snacks will include apricot, mango and papaya as well as dried fruits and prunes.
'We are not in competition with the normal snacks players. We are trying to develop a completely new segment in the Indian snack market,' Bellani said.
