Why Vegan Snacks Are Booming in India
If you walk into any Indian supermarket today, there is a very high possibility that you will see a growing aisle of plant-based snacks. And right at the centre of this vegan revolution, Vegan chips are taking the lead. But why are customers in India suddenly looking for new innovative vegan snacks over the traditional potato chips? It’s a mix of things like growing focus on health, concern about the environmental impact of the animal industry, and in general, their view on how that view food.
Recent market growth statistics and trends
The vegan snack market in India is not just growing but is exploding. In 2024 alone, the market share of vegan snacks was ₹10,000 crore which was 20% more than the previous year. This shows that veganism is not just a trend, but a revolution is happening in India
Snack bar sales alone jumped to 19% in the first quarter of 2025 and there is a 16% increase in the vegan chips category year after year. Vegan chocolate and confectionery saw a growth of 23% which many thought would struggle to match their dairy counterparts.
E-commerce platforms like Zepto, Blinkit, Instamart, Big Basket, and Amazon have played a major role in this growth, with D2C vegan snack brans seeing a growth of 28% as compared to the previous year. Even supermarkets like Nature's Basket, Reliance and Dmart have doubled their vegan section since 2023.
Vegan snacks are not just a specialty product anymore. The market has matured, and Indian buyers want more innovative flavors and textures.
Key demographics driving the vegan snack boom
The data tells a fascinating story of who are buying plant-based groceries.
Consumers in the age group of 18-25 years were the early adopters; however now they are not the core demographics as you might think. Consumers in the age group of 35 – 45 are the fastest growing segment with a growth of 21% from the precious year. They are more committed buyers and have the shopping power.
Parents in India also play a major role. A recent study showed that about 45% of the families in India buy vegan snacks if they have children under 12, regardless of whether they follow a strict vegan diet.
The shift is also visible across Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities. The premium vegan snack is finding its way in to the houses on the middle income Indian families and not just the wealthy urban professionals, which everyone assumed were the target consumers.
While Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore still lead in consumption, smaller cities like Ahmedabad and Jaipur have also seen a growth in the vegan snack sales.
How Indian consumers are embracing plant-based lifestyles
Indian consumers are reshaping their entire relationship with groceries and not just buying vegan snacks.
About 32% consumers now identify as flexitarian which means they reduce consumption of animal products without eliminating them entirely from their diet. This allows vegan snacks to easily replace the conventional options without a comprehensive change in lifestyle
Social media has also played a major role in bringing veganism to the mainstream movement, from just being a niche habit. Hashtags like #vegansnacks have seen increase year over year
About 68% of the vegan consumers in India have chosen veganism due to the impact of animal industry on the environment. Thus environmental concerns are also a big driving force.
About 58% of the vegan consumers now believe that vegan snacks are better for their wellbeing, unlike the previous generation of vegan products and don’t see plant-based snacks as a compromise.
Chips, But Make Them Clean
Chips have always been a comfort food. But traditional ones are often fried in palm oil, loaded with preservatives, and enhanced with artificial colors and. Vegan chips flip the script. Brands like Super Munchies are showing that snacks can be clean, plant-based, and full of real flavour.
Health Without the Lecture
People aren’t just turning vegan for animals or the environment. Many are doing it because they feel better when they eat clean. Vegan chips made from real fruits and vegetables like sweet potato, okra, and banana aren’t just trendy — they’re lighter, free from trans fat and Cholesterol, and naturally gluten-free.
Innovation in Every Bite
Gone are the days when vegan meant boring. The new wave of chips isn’t trying to copy cheese or bacon — it’s creating bold, original flavours. Think tandoori sweet potato, chili mint, or peri peri banana. These aren’t your average snack flavours, and that’s exactly why people are hooked.
The Future of Snacking Looks Bright (and Green)
The boom in vegan chips isn’t just a trend — it’s part of a bigger shift. Indians are looking for snacks that reflect their values without sacrificing taste. As sustainability and clean eating become the norm, snacks like ours aren’t just fitting in — they’re leading the way.
So next time you reach for a bag of chips, consider going vegan. Your tastebuds — and the planet — might thank you.