NEW DELHI: The food processing industry is expected to double in size by 2025-26, driving hiring in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. A report by TeamLease EdTech shows that hiring intent for freshers increased to 32 per cent in the second half of 2024, compared to 27 per cent in the first half of the year.
The growth in hiring is linked to the expansion of the food processing industry, which is projected to grow from $ 263 billion in 2019-20 to $ 535 billion by 2025-26, with an annual growth rate of 12.6 per cent.This growth has enabled deeper penetration into rural and semi-urban markets.
The report highlights that key product segments including dairy, RTE foods, frozen meat, and snacks are generating employment opportunities, particularly in supply chain and market research sectors.
“The rise in demand for fresh talent in FMCG can clearly be attributed to deeper expansion in rural and semi-urban markets, fueled by the rapid growth of India’s food processing industry,” Shantanu Rooj, founder and CEO, TeamLease Edtech, was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
The report also highlights that FMCG companies are focusing on hiring freshers with expertise in market insights, retail distribution, and regional consumer behavior to support their expansion into untapped markets.
Specific job roles are seeing high hiring intent in various cities. Food engineers have a hiring intent of 41 per cent in Bengaluru, logistics coordinators 39 per cent in Delhi, supply and distribution chain positions 37 per cent in Hyderabad, and brand management trainees 34 per cent in Bengaluru.
The survey was conducted across 526 small, medium, and large companies in 18 industries and covered 14 geographical areas, including metros, tier-1, and tier-2 cities.