The Daily Brief A household name in your kitchen is going public
Oct 29, 2025
Discover how MTR, a household name in kitchens, is transitioning to public markets and reshaping its packaged foods business. The podcast delves into the growth opportunities in the packaged spice market, driven by changing consumer preferences and urban lifestyles. Also explored are the latest trends in Indian IT, with companies like HCL making strides in AI and TCS investing heavily in data centers. Alongside, gain insights into revenue diversification and regional strategies as the industry adapts to ongoing geopolitical changes.
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How MTR Entered Packaged Foods
- MTR's packaged foods business began when the 1975 Emergency forced the restaurant to shut and the family sold sambar and rasam powders to survive.
- That side business grew into a standalone packaged-foods arm eventually sold to Norway's Orkla for $100 million in 2007.
Packaged Spices Poised To Grow
- Orkla bets urbanisation and rising incomes will shift Indians from loose spices to packaged and blended masalas.
- The company projects packaged spices and convenience foods to grow significantly over the next five years.
Regional Moats And Diaspora Demand
- Regional tastes create many local markets rather than a single national market for spices, which becomes a competitive moat.
- Diaspora demand also gives exporters a profitable overseas channel, with branded spice exports at Rs 2,300 crore last year.