The Indian organic food market is experiencing a meteoric rise, driven by a growing consumer awareness of the health benefits associated with organic products. According to a recent report by IMARC Group, the market size reached a substantial US$ 1,582.2 Million in 2023 and is projected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 21.19% to reach US$ 8,918.5 Million by 2032.

This surge in demand can be attributed to several factors, including a heightened understanding of the health hazards posed by chemical pesticides and fertilisers and a rising consciousness about the long-term benefits of organic food consumption. To meet this growing demand, businesses in the food industry are expanding their organic offerings and investing in sustainable farming practices. This has led to a surge in organic food-related searches across India. A recent study by Justdial, India’s No.1 local search engine, revealed a significant increase in searches for organic food manufacturers, retailers, farms, grocery stores, and product dealers.

Between June and August 2024, organic food searches across India witnessed a remarkable 47% increase compared to the previous quarter. This surge was particularly pronounced in metropolitan cities, with Mumbai leading the way at a staggering 90% increase. Other major cities like Pune (65%), Delhi (55%), Hyderabad (54%), Bangalore (40%), Chennai (38%), and Ahmedabad (24%) also saw significant growth in organic food searches during this period.

In non-metropolitan cities, organic food searches increased by 45% overall. Bhopal experienced a phenomenal increase in organic food with searches between June and August 2024 becoming 18 fold when compared to the previous quarter. Coimbatore also saw a substantial increase of 62%.

One of the most notable trends observed was the substantial rise in searches for organic food manufacturers, which saw a 79% overall increase in searches. The top cities for these searches were Pune, Mumbai, Jaipur, and Delhi. Organic food retailers saw a significant increase in searches, with a 68% overall rise. Bhopal witnessed the most dramatic increase, with searches reaching 49 times compared to the previous quarter. Other cities that saw spikes included Mumbai (152%), Hyderabad (106%), Delhi (100%), Bangalore (44%), and Chennai (40%).

Organic farms, grocery stores, and product dealers also experienced increased search interest. Organic farms saw a 31% overall increase, with the top cities being Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and Pune. Organic grocery stores saw a 25% increase, with the top cities being Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Delhi, and Ahmedabad. Organic product dealers saw a 13% increase, with Chennai being the top city for these searches.

These findings underscore the growing awareness and acceptance of organic food among Indian consumers. As the demand for organic products continues to rise, businesses in the food industry would do well to capitalise on this trend by offering a wider range of organic options and educating consumers about the benefits of organic living.