Nestlé India Gains Global Focus as CEO Navratil Eyes Top-Five Position

Nestlé India is emerging as one of the Swiss FMCG giant’s key global growth priorities, with CEO Philipp Navratil saying the market is on course to enter the company’s top five markets by revenue contribution.

Speaking to reporters at a media roundtable, Navratil said India is currently among Nestlé’s top 10 markets globally and was the company’s highest-performing market in terms of growth during the first half of 2026.

“Top five (in terms of topline contribution) is definitely on the horizon,” Navratil said.

India’s Growing Consumer Opportunity

Navratil attributed India’s growth potential to its expanding consumer base, rising middle-class population and continued urbanisation. He also highlighted Nestlé’s deep distribution network, which allows the company to serve consumers across different segments.

According to Navratil, India presents opportunities at both the value and premium ends of Nestlé’s portfolio.

The company’s focus comes as Nestlé India continues to report strong financial performance. For the quarter ended June 2026, the company recorded a 48% year-on-year increase in consolidated net profit to Rs 958.7 crore, while consolidated revenue from operations rose 25% to Rs 6,378.2 crore.

Five Priorities for the India Business

Nestlé India is pursuing five key priorities, including building the right portfolio, improving efficiencies, strengthening a performance-oriented culture and driving real internal growth (RIG).

Navratil said RIG-led growth involves increasing volumes by reaching more consumers and households, alongside pricing initiatives that enable the company to premiumise while maintaining affordability and value across consumer segments.

India as an Export and Innovation Hub

Nestlé is also expanding India’s role as an export hub, with the business currently exporting products to 28 countries.

Its export portfolio includes products such as coconut milk and Maggi noodles. Navratil said Nestlé is also leveraging capabilities and expertise developed in India for its global operations, including in categories such as noodles and spices.

The approach positions India not only as a major consumption market but also as a source of innovation, capabilities and products for international markets.

Balancing Value and Premiumisation

At the same time, Nestlé is focusing on value-conscious consumers as competition intensifies across the packaged food market.

Navratil said Nestlé is not “scared of competition” but takes the competitive environment seriously. The company has established a new hub in India focused on developing high-quality products that offer the right value proposition for consumers.

The strategy reflects Nestlé’s effort to balance premiumisation with affordability as consumer preferences evolve across income segments.

Strong Financial Momentum

The scale of Nestlé India’s recent performance provides context for the global CEO’s increased focus on the market.

In FY2025-26, Nestlé India reported revenue from operations of Rs 23,154.6 crore, compared with Rs 20,077.5 crore in FY2024-25. Profit for the year stood at approximately Rs 3,499.1 crore, up from Rs 3,207.6 crore a year earlier.

The June-quarter performance also showed continued momentum across the company’s portfolio. According to its quarterly results, all four product groups recorded strong double-digit growth, while advertising expenditure increased by more than 40% year-on-year.

India’s Expanding Global Role

For Nestlé, the India strategy extends beyond domestic consumption. The market is increasingly being positioned as a growth engine, innovation and capabilities hub, and export base for other markets.

With consumption expanding across income segments and urbanisation continuing, Navratil’s comments indicate that Nestlé expects India’s contribution to the global business to increase further, potentially moving the market into the company’s top five markets by revenue.