The fast-moving consumer goods market has been rising steadily on the rapid economic growth and an increase in purchasing power of consumers, a top industry player said.
The gross sales value of FMCG in the country rose to $3.9 billion in FY22, up from $3.7 billion a year ago, said Zaved Akhtar, CEO and managing director of Unilever Bangladesh. If the figure is converted into local currency, it will be over Tk 37,000 crore (@Tk95 for a dollar).
FMCG products are sold rapidly and at a comparatively lower cost as these have a short shelf life. FMCG products include packaged foods, beverages, toiletries, over-the-counter drugs and similar consumables.
Middle-class people have been contributing to the country’s growth in the FMCG industry. According to Boston Consulting Group, 20 lakh Bangladeshis are joining the rank of middle and affluent class (MAC) a year.
Compared to luxury products and other commodities, FMCG industry has remained considerably stable, with food and beverages, personal care and household care anchoring the industry in its growth trajectory. Similarly, with greater investment from the government on roads-highways infrastructure, the industry has managed to swiftly grow its last mile logistics and have established intricate distribution networks throughout the country serving SME level mom-and-pop shops.
Globally, the market size of this industry is expected to reach $1.54 trillion within 2025.
With the advent of e-commerce and a fast growing modern trade industry, the industry has some new mediums of growth laid out. Currently, Unilever, PRAN, Square are among the top players in the FMCG industry with BATB leading the tobacco segment.
- Unilever Bangladesh
Unilever Bangladesh has 28 brand products in 10 categories, out of which Unilever is the market leader in 9 categories. Among the popular brands of Unilever in the market are LUX, Glow & Lovely, Wheel, Surf Excel, Rin, Lifebuoy, CloseUp, Pepsodent, Vaseline, Sunsilk, Clear, Ponds, and Dove.
Unilever is currently leading the Bangladesh market with a 60 percent share of the Tk 30,000 crore FMCG market in Bangladesh.
- ACI Foods Ltd
ACI is one of the top FMCG manufacturing companies in Bangladesh. With over 60 products available under 16 categories, ACI offers spices, edible oil, salt, flour, and semolina under its Pure brand and cakes, crackers, juices, chanachur, and candies under its FUN brand.
- PRAN
Pran is one of the largest FMCG brands in Bangladesh. Pran has over 200 brands across ten food categories – juices, drinks, carbonated beverages, mineral water, bakery, snacks, powdered spices, confectionery, biscuits, and dairy.
Apart from Bangladesh, Pran products are being exported to more than 145 countries worldwide. Since 1999, Pran has been receiving the National Export Trophy for its export performance.
- Nestlé
Nestle is another world’s most popular and leading food and beverage company. This multinational company operates in 191 countries worldwide and currently has a total of 354 factories in 79 countries around the world.
Nestlé Bangladesh, established in 1992 as a joint venture between Transcom Limited and Switzerland-based Nestlé S.A., started commercial operations in 1994 by setting up a factory in Sreepur, Gazipur.
- Radhuni
In most homes in Bangladesh, Radhuni is very popular as a powdered spice in cooking or Ruchi as a chanachur or sauce for an afternoon snack. And the manufacturing company of these two popular brands, “Square Food and Beverage,” is a concern of one of the diversified conglomerates, “Square Group” in Bangladesh. Square Group’s journey began in 1958 with the establishment of a pharmacy by four friends, Samson H Chowdhury, Kazi Harunur Rashid, PK Saha, and Radhabinod Roy.
