A study by Food Safety Works
Foreword Summary
Indian dessert consumption is transforming. While traditional sweets remain deeply rooted in culture and celebrations, modern consumers—especially younger demographics—are increasingly exploring Western and baked desserts. To better understand these evolving behaviors, Food Safety Works conducted an online survey across diverse age groups, regions, and genders.
This study captures consumer sentiments, preferred dessert types, consumption frequency, and motivations behind dessert choices. The findings aim to help food businesses identify emerging trends, understand key purchase drivers, and explore new opportunities within the Indian dessert market.
Introduction
- Understanding Dessert Consumption in India
- Desserts in India are more than indulgences—they are an emotional and cultural symbol, tied to festivals, milestones, and hospitality. However, changing lifestyles, global influences, and increasing experimentation with food have altered how consumers perceive and choose desserts today.
- Traditional sweets continue to hold sentimental value, but Western-style options such as baked goods, cakes, and fusion creations are rising in popularity.
Why This Study?
As modern consumers diversify their preferences, it becomes essential for brands and businesses to understand what drives dessert purchase behavior. This study helps decode:
- How often consumers indulge in desserts
- When they prefer consuming them
- The balance between traditional and Western choices
- What motivates their purchase decisions
Scope of the Survey
The survey gathered inputs from Indian consumers across varied demographics and explored:
- Preference between traditional, baked, and contemporary desserts
- Frequency and timing of dessert consumption
- Purchase channels and reasons for choosing specific desserts
- Attitudes toward calories and health concerns among genders
- Behavioral patterns useful for mapping future market potential
What This Report Offers
This report delivers insights that will be valuable for:
- Dessert manufacturers and QSR brands
- Bakeries and confectioners
- Market researchers and product innovators
- Food entrepreneurs exploring niche dessert categories
- By identifying shifts in consumption patterns and motivations, this study helps stakeholders better understand emerging opportunities within the evolving dessert landscape.
Conclusion
- The survey reveals that traditional Indian desserts remain the top choice, largely consumed a few times a week, with evenings being the preferred time for indulgence.
- Baked desserts are the second most preferred, and consumers show an equal openness to modern and fusion options. Purchase behavior remains rooted in familiarity, with 30% still buying from local stores.
- Taste continues to dominate decision-making (41%), followed closely by the desire for self-reward (62%). Health awareness is rising, particularly among women—34.33% of female respondents reported concern about calorie intake in desserts.
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