AgroTech Foods opens peanut butter production facility in India

AgroTech Foods, an affiliate of US-based Conagra Foods, has opened a new peanut butter manufacturing facility in Jhagadia, Gujarat, India.

The facility, which is being established with an investment of around INR350m ($5.92m), will commence local production of the company’s Sundrop Peanut Butter for the first time in India.

The move is part of the company’s plan to foray into the spreads segment in India.

The facility will serve as an integrated multi category grocery and snacks manufacturing hub for the India market.

AgroTech Foods president and CEO Sachin Gopal said the commencement of local production of peanut butter at the new facility reinforces the firm’s commitment to lead the development of the processed foods industry in India.

"The spreads category in India is still small and underpenetrated. The introduction of peanut butter will address the changing needs of the Indian consumer and also help in growing the spreads category," Gopal added.

With this move, the company is seeking to replicate the success of its Act II Popcorn business in the peanut butter category.

AgroTech, based Haryana, India, through its flagship brands Sundrop and ACT II, offers products such as ACT II Popcorn, Sundrop Peanut Butter, Sundrop SlimLite, Sundrop Snack Break and Sundrop 10 min Yummeals.

It also produces dried green peas under the Healthy World brand, and refined sunflower oil under the Crystal brand.