Vadilal to export ice-cream to US

Ahmedabad: After serving domestic palates for decades, ice-cream major Vadilal is set to woo international ice-cream lovers. The blueprint has not yet been prepared, but the company is considering three different markets, the Middle East, Singapore and the US, for a possible entry. Vadilal Industries does not plan to set up ice-cream parlours in international market but intends to export ice-cream directly.

The company already exports ready-to-eat food products to the Middle East, the US and the European markets and now plans to export ice-creams. “International markets are more competitive but there is huge potential for growth there,” said Rajesh Gandhi, managing director, Vadilal Industries.

While the company has been studying the international market, it has not been exporting ice-creams. In international markets, the company intends to tap NRI and NRG populace. However, the company will come up with new flavours based on the preferences in the international market.

With this, Vadilal will be the second player from Gujarat to export ice-creams. Currently, Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (GCMMF) exports ice-creams to the Middle East and Singapore. “At present, the export share is low. But as soon as the entry-barriers are eased in the US and UK, we intend to enter these markets,” said GCMMF’s chief general manager R S Sodhi.

While companies are reaching out to international markets, they are also widening presence in the country. Vadilal, which already operates around 100 Happinezz, is further setting up more parlours across upcoming malls. Vadilal is already expanding its production capacity. At present, the company operates two plants, one each in Gujarat and Bareily, and is coming up with third a plant in Kolkata.