Nestle CEO Philippe Naveratil stated that India is the group's leading market in the emerging markets of Asia, Latin America, and Africa. He emphasized that the company aims to interact more deeply with consumers by offering suitable value and innovations for different price categories.
Naveratil noted that India is among the top ten global markets for the company and showed the best results in the first half of 2026. He expressed pride in these achievements and pointed to further opportunities for development in the market.
On Investments and Production
Regarding investments in the country, the Nestle head announced plans to increase production capacity. He stressed the need for a strong local manufacturing presence to meet the needs of local consumers, viewing India as a potential production hub for export. Currently, Nestle exports from India to 28 countries.
Concerning the tightening of food industry regulations in India, Naveratil welcomed the increased transparency and consumer curiosity regarding the products they consume. He stated that the company supports the introduction of front-of-pack labeling, as the company itself strives to improve sugar, fat, and sodium content metrics.
He added that other countries have already implemented similar practices, and it is important that this is done scientifically, for example, by indicating portions rather than grams, since people consume food in portions. The company is ready to cooperate with the government if necessary.
Philippe Naveratil mentioned that Manish Tiwari, Chairman and Managing Director of Nestle India, and his team are ready to share experience, including lessons learned in countries that have started taxing sugar. In the context of geopolitical issues such as inflation and supply chain disruptions, Naveratil described Nestle as a resilient company that sources raw materials locally in India, ensuring a reliable supply chain during periods of uncertainty.
Regarding inflation, the company uses price increases only as a last resort, striving to maximize efficiency to maintain affordable prices and retain customer loyalty. Naveratil emphasized a long-term approach, noting that losing customers in the short term is much more costly than retaining them.
During his visit to India, Naveratil also met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss Nestle's unwavering commitment to India and the company's contribution to the national development agenda.