AWL Agri Business

** Food and fast-moving consumer goods company AWL Agri Business AWLA.NS shares rise as much as 3.89%, biggest intraday rise in over five weeks, to 183 rupees apiece

** Rise after AWLA says it delivered 12% year-on-year volume growth and 24% Y/Y revenue growth in the September quarter

** AWLA says revenue growth in Q2 aided by strong momentum in the food and FMCG portfolio and industry essentials, while edible oil business delivered steady volume growth

** Food and FMCG segment is likely to deliver a 33% Y/Y revenue growth, with the segment crossing 20 billion indian rupees ($207.54 million) of quarterly revenue for first time ever, AWLA projects

** AWLA shares down 23.3% in 2026 so far, according to exchange data

($1 = 96.3675 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Bharath Rajeswaran in Bengaluru)

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Oct 5 (Reuters) - AWL Agri Business Ltd AWLA.NS:

• AWL AGRI BUSINESS - Q2 FY27 VOLUME UP 12%, REVENUE UP 24% YOY

Source text: ID:nBSE8zDP2f

Further company coverage: AWLA.NS

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MUMBAI, Sept 23 (Reuters) - India has cut the basic import duty on crude and refined edible oils, including palm oil, soyoil and sunflower oil, the government said in a notification late on Wednesday, as it seeks to lower prices during the peak festive season.

The basic import duty on crude palm oil and crude soyoil has been reduced to 5% from 10%, the notification said.

(Reporting by Rajendra Jadhav; Editing by Kevin Liffey)

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Sept 22 (Reuters) - Adani Total Gas Ltd ADAG.NS:

• INDIA MARKETS REGULATOR: SETTLEMENT ORDER IN MATTER OF ADANI GROUP COMPANIES

• INDIA'S SEBI: INSTANT ADJUDICATION PROCEEDINGS INITIATED AGAINST ADANI GROUP COMPANIES DISPOSED OF

• INDIA'S SEBI: APPROVES SETTLEMENT IN CASE OF 5 ADANI GROUP COMPANIES

• INDIA'S SEBI: ALLOWS SETTLEMENT IN CASE OF DISCLOSURE VIOLATIONS

• INDIA'S SEBI: FIVE ADANI GROUP ENTITIES TO PAY 15.1 MILLION RUPEES IN SETTLEMENT

Further company coverage: ADAG.NS

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Updates throughout

By Jasmeen Ara Islam Shaikh and Kumar Tanishk

Aug 12 (Reuters) - Singapore-listed Wilmar International WLIL.SI posted a nearly 10% rise in first-half core profit on strong demand in feed and industrial products and food products segments, but cautioned that geopolitical tensions could weigh on operating conditions.

The company, one of the world's largest food producers, posted a core net profit of $641.5 million for the six months ended June 30. It proposed an interim dividend of S$0.05 per share, up from S$0.04 per share declared a year ago.

Strong performances at the group's two largest divisions, feed and industrial products and food products, outweighed weakness in its plantation and sugar milling business.

However, Kuok Khoon Hong, chairman and CEO of Wilmar, said operating conditions are expected to remain uncertain as the ongoing Iran conflict keeps heightened volatility across commodity markets on the cards for the company.

Wilmar would need to sustain quarterly core net profit of at least $465 million in the second half of 2026 to meet consensus full-year forecasts, with earnings heavily dependent on soybean oil prices, said William Simadiputra, head of research for Indonesia at DBS Group Research.

Shares in Wilmar, which has a market capitalisation of about S$25.3 billion ($19.78 billion), have risen roughly 28% this year — outpacing gains of about 25% at U.S. peer Bunge Global and flat performance at Singapore-listed rival Golden Agri-Resources.

The consolidation of AWL Agri Business AWLA.NS since December and gains from Chinese joint-venture disposals boosted the food products segment in the half-year period. The Adani Group exited AWL, its Indian consumer goods joint venture with Wilmar last year, giving the Singaporean firm control through its roughly 58% stake.

Overall sales volume for the segment grew 19% to 19.4 million metric tons, and revenue jumped 35% to $19.36 billion.

Profit at its feed and industrial products division rose 55%, driven by higher volumes and refining margins in its tropical oils business. Stronger feed demand in the group's biggest market China, which boosted soybean crushing activity, also helped.

($1 = 1.2792 Singapore dollars)

(Reporting by Jasmeen Ara Shaikh and Kumar Tanishk in Bengaluru; Editing by Janane Venkatraman)

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** Shares of India's AWL Agri Business AWLA.NS rise 3.4% to 193.93 rupees

** Food and FMCG co reports 48.3% Y/Y increase in Q1 consol net profit to 3.5 billion rupees ($36.73 million)

** Consol revenue from operations rises 17.5% Y/Y in the quarter

** Stock rated "buy" on average by 6 analysts; median PT is 290 rupees - LSEG compiled data

** Stock down 18.3% YTD

($1 = 95.2900 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Payel Das in Bengaluru)

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July 30 (Reuters) - India's AWL Agri Business AWLA.NS posted a 48.2% jump in first-quarter profit on Thursday on strong demand for its food and cooking oil products.

The consumer goods maker, previously known as Adani Wilmar, posted consolidated net profit of 3.5 billion rupees ($36.58 million) for the quarter ended June 30, from 2.36 billion rupees a year ago.

Here are some key details:

• The company said its food and consumer goods unit, which clocked a 22% revenue growth, continued to be its primary growth driver

• Quarterly operating profit margin expanded sequentially to 6%, compared with an average of 3% to 4% over the last eight quarters

• AWL's core edible oils segment posted 13% revenue growth, led by strong demand for palm and mustard oils

• Revenue from operations rose 17.5% year-on-year to 200.48 billion rupees, while expenses rose 16%

• The company appointed Pankaj Goyal as CFO, effective July 31. Goyal currently serves as interim CFO

($1 = 95.6800 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Mridula Kumar in Bengaluru; Editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee)

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July 9 (Reuters) - AWL Agri Business Ltd AWLA.NS:

• AWL AGRI BUSINESS - TO EXPAND REGENERATIVE MUSTARD PROGRAMME AFTER UP TO 30% HIGHER YIELDS

Source text: ID:nBSE8TMlJ2

Further company coverage: AWLA.NS

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July 3 (Reuters) - AWL Agri Business Ltd AWLA.NS:

• AWL AGRI BUSINESS LTD- DURING Q1 , THE COMPANY DELIVERED A MID-SINGLE DIGIT VOLUME GROWTH

• AWL AGRI BUSINESS - FOOD FMCG DELIVERS OVER 20% YOY REVENUE GROWTH IN Q1 FY27

• AWL AGRI BUSINESS - EDIBLE OIL BUSINESS RECORDS 13% YOY REVENUE GROWTH IN Q1 FY27

Source text: ID:nNSE8gPXgy

Further company coverage: AWLA.NS

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By Praveen Paramasivam and Chandini Monnappa

CHENNAI/BENGALURU, June 8 (Reuters) - From smaller packs on shelves to higher prices at checkout, Indian companies are scrambling to protect their margins as surging oil, freight and insurance costs - and strained household budgets - pile on pressure.

The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran has disrupted trade routes and lifted input costs globally, hitting import-reliant economies like India harder, where a weaker rupee is adding to inflation and complicating pricing decisions as demand remains uneven.

"We are among the world's most vulnerable countries," economist Jayati Ghosh said, warning higher oil and fertiliser costs, weaker Gulf demand, softer remittances and potential capital outflows could stoke inflation and slow growth.

Consumer goods makers Hindustan Unilever HLL.NS, Godrej Consumer Products GOCP.NS and Dabur India DABU.NS have already rolled out low- to mid-single-digit price hikes across categories, with Britannia BRIT.NS preparing similar moves.

Pricing power remains weak in mass segments, with companies holding the line on 10- to 20-rupee (11- to 21-cent) packs and shrinking product sizes instead of raising prices outright.

"We are reducing grammage because we can't breach those price points," said Mohit Malhotra, global CEO at Dabur.

Automakers Maruti Suzuki MRTI.NS, Mahindra & Mahindra MAHM.NS, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles TAMO.NS and Hyundai Motor India HYUN.NS have also hiked prices.

"We were left with no choice," said Partho Banerjee, Maruti's senior executive officer for marketing and sales, adding that raising prices was not good for customers, especially first-time buyers.

Airlines IndiGo INGL.NS and Air India are trimming capacity, especially on fuel-heavy international routes, and increasing fares to offset higher aviation fuel costs.

Consumers are feeling the squeeze.

"I have no family to feed, no school fees, and no monthly payments on a car. I'm still watching my spending as prices are up for almost everything, from travel to packaged food," said Aditi Anjana, a Mumbai-based communications professional who is in her 30s.

BELT-TIGHTENING MODE

With limited room to pass on costs, companies are turning inward and cutting costs to cushion margins.

Hindustan Unilever HLL.NS has cut advertising spend, while others are trimming non-essential travel and marketing costs.

"The scope for further cost-cutting is gradually narrowing," Axis Direct analyst Uttam Kumar Srimal said, adding prolonged commodity and fuel inflation could force sharper price hikes or margin hits.

Sectors with high global exposure, including aviation, oil and gas, chemicals, logistics and capital goods, may remain under margin pressure, said Shweta Rajani, associate director at Anand Rathi Wealth.

RESETTING SUPPLY CHAINS

Firms are also reworking supply chains to manage disruptions. Companies with Middle East exposure are rerouting shipments, diversifying sourcing, and shifting production.

Dabur, an Indian rival of Colgate-Palmolive, is using alternative routes via Egypt and Turkey, while packaged goods maker Britannia is bringing some production back home.

Some firms are also front-loading purchases and closely tracking demand to avoid overstocking, underscoring tighter working capital discipline.

Arvind Fashions ARVF.NS has advanced inventory buys to lock in costs and is relying more on local suppliers, while Tata Group retailer Trent TREN.NS is tweaking raw materials, packaging, and product development.

"My priority is not to take prices up," said Umashan Naidoo, head of customer and beauty at Trent, which offers Gen-Z-focused affordable trendwear through its brand ​Zudio.

($1 = 94.9450 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Praveen Paramasivam in Chennai and Chandini Monnappa in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Surbhi Misra; Editing by Dhanya Skariachan and Himani Sarkar)

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** Jefferies initiates coverage on India's AWL Agri Business AWLA.NS with "buy" rating, TP at 260 rupees, citing scale-driven upside and foods business turnaround

** Brokerage says company's shift from edible oils to a broader kitchen essentials portfolio could improve earnings quality over the long term

** Jefferies, however, notes elevated competition and slower near-term profitability improvement in foods business remain key monitorables

** Shares of AWL Agri fall 1.84% to 198.31 rupees on the day

** AWLA rated "buy" on average by six analysts, median PT at 290 rupees, per LSEG-compiled data

** YTD, AWL Agri stock down 14.8%

(Reporting by Surbhi Misra in Bengaluru)

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Rewrites with comments from earnings call

May 7 (Reuters) - India's Dabur DABU.NS signaled a second round of price hikes after implementing a 4% increase across parts of its portfolio, as war in the Middle East drives up manufacturing and transportation costs.

A surge in energy prices caused by the war is rippling through global supply chains for common consumer goods, making materials like chemicals and plastics more expensive.

"We want to increase the margins from last year to the current year and mitigate all the inflation through price increases," Dabur said in a call with analysts after reporting results on Thursday.

Peers including Dove soapmaker Hindustan Unilever HLL.NS and cooking oil manufacturer AWL Agri Business AWLA.NS are also the tightening costs and raising prices to account for rising raw material costs.

Dabur is also shrinking the size of products priced at 10-20 rupees — a key price band for budget-conscious consumers — to manage inflation, after increasing pack sizes when India cut consumption taxes last year.

Along with the raw material inflation due to the regional conflict, the honey-to-toothpaste maker also faces sales pressure as the Middle East contributes 30%-35% of its international business.

Middle East and North Africa revenue climbed 1%, while most other regions posted double-digit growth. Dabur attributed the disparity partly to an exodus of expatriates from the Gulf, which in recent years has become a focus area for Indian consumer goods makers.

Separately, Dabur beat quarterly profit estimates, helped by steady demand after consumption tax cuts in India.

Consolidated profit jumped 15% to 3.69 billion rupees ($39.15 million), while revenue rose 7% to 30.38 billion rupees.

($1 = 94.2500 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Urvi Dugar in Bengaluru and Praveen Paramasivam in Chennai; Editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee and Ronojoy Mazumdar)

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Recasts paragraph 1; adds revenue forecast in paragraph 3, company comment in paragraph 10; updates shares in paragraph 5

By Surbhi Misra and Praveen Paramasivam

May 5 (Reuters) - India's Marico MRCO.NS forecast annual revenue above estimates on Tuesday, betting on steady volume growth and expansion in its premium segments, even as it warned of price hikes and shrinking margins after Middle East tensions drove up input costs.

The consumer goods major, which is known for its Parachute and Saffola brands of oils, has made a strong push into the premium tier in the foods and personal care segments, adding brands such as Plix, True Elements, Beardo and Just Herbs over the last decade. The shift away from oils is a move that peer AWL Agri Business AWLA.NS is also pursuing.

Marico forecast consolidated revenue crossing 150 billion rupees ($1.57 billion) for the ongoing fiscal year ending March 2027, above estimates of 146.94 billion rupees, according to data compiled by LSEG.

The segment accounted for around 23% of its overall revenue in fiscal 2026, the company said, expecting the segment to grow to around 33% by fiscal 2030.

Shares closed 2.9% higher, reversing course from losses of 2.7%, after the firm said it aspired to deliver earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) growth in the high-teen percentage range in fiscal 2027, subject to "stable" macro conditions.

MARGIN PRESSURES

Ongoing geopolitical tensions have pushed Brent crude prices to above $110, eating into the company's EBITDA margin, which shrank 114 basis points to 15.6% for the fourth quarter ended March 31.

Marico, echoing consumer goods peers - including bellwether Hindustan Unilever HLL.NS - said it would cut costs and raise prices to protect its margins.

"Vegetable oils and other crude‑linked inputs continue to exhibit an inflationary bias, following the ongoing geopolitical developments in the Middle East," the company said, adding that a decline in prices of copra, a key ingredient for coconut oil, will help alleviate potential crude-related pressures.

For the fourth quarter, revenue climbed 22% to 33.33 billion rupees, while profit rose 14% to 3.91 billion rupees, beating estimates of 3.85 billion rupees.

($1 = 95.2800 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Surbhi Misra in Bengaluru and Praveen Paramasivam in Chennai; Editing by Janane Venkatraman)

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By Praveen Paramasivam

April 29 (Reuters) - Indian consumer goods maker AWL Agri Business AWLA.NS is grappling with a roughly 20% surge in some crude-linked input costs as the Middle East conflict drives up prices for fuel, chemicals and packaging materials, its CEO said.

The pressures reflect a broader industry trend, with peers such as bottled water maker Bisleri and Dove soapmaker Hindustan Unilever HLL.NS raising prices to counter higher conflict-linked input costs.

"Costs have gone up for us in terms of chemicals, packing material and coal, so that is something which remains a cause of concern even today," Shrikant Kanhere, AWL's managing director and CEO, told Reuters in an interview.

AWL, home of brands including Fortune cooking oil and Kohinoor rice, is adjusting prices in line with market movements, absorbing part of the increase while passing the rest on to consumers, Kanhere said, without giving details.

Input costs for some crude-linked materials have risen by about 20% since the conflict began, translating into a cost impact of roughly 25 to 50 basis points, he added.

Global oil prices have surged amid fears of supply disruptions. Brent crude has climbed from the low $70s a barrel before the Middle East conflict to above $110, market data show.

The company, which is cutting packaging and fuel use at its plants to limit the hit to profits, expects per-ton margins to be broadly stable in fiscal 2027.

AWL is also expanding distribution and investing heavily in online channels and large-format grocers, which together posted nearly 50% growth last year, in a push to scale up volumes.

Kanhere forecast sales volume growth of 8% to 9% in fiscal 2027, nearly double last year's pace, with edible oils growing at a mid-single-digit rate and foods posting double-digit growth.

(Reporting by Praveen Paramasivam in Chennai; Editing by Dhanya Skariachan)

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April 28 (Reuters) - India's AWL Agri Business AWLA.NS, previously known as Adani Wilmar, posted better-than-expected fourth-quarter profit on Tuesday, driven by growth in its edible oils business.

Here are some details:

• The consumer goods maker reported a consolidated net profit of 2.92 billion rupees ($30.89 million) for the quarter ended March 31, beating analysts' estimate of 2.71 billion rupees, according to data compiled by LSEG.

• "This growth was primarily driven by robust offtake in the Edible Oil segment, aided by improved consumer demand," AWL said in a statement.

• Sales volumes in AWL's core edible oils business rose 17% year-on-year during the quarter.

• Revenue from the oil segment was up 18.6% at 175.2 billion rupees.

• Revenue from AWL's foods and FMCG segment rose 18% year-on-year, supported by demand for staples and packaged foods.

• Revenue from operations rose 17.75% year-on-year to 214.65 billion rupees, missing estimates of 215.1 billion rupees.

• AWL shares closed 0.5% lower ahead of the results. The stock has fallen about 13.65% so far this year.

  
  

($1 = 94.5400 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Bipasha Dey in Bengaluru; Editing by Sumana Nandy)

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Feb 3 (Reuters) - AWL Agri Business Ltd AWLA.NS:

• AWL AGRI BUSINESS Q3 CONSOL NET PROFIT 2.69 BILLION RUPEES

• AWL AGRI BUSINESS Q3 CONSOL REVENUE FROM OPERATIONS 186.03 BILLION RUPEES

Source text: [ID:]

Further company coverage: AWLA.NS

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By Praveen Paramasivam

Nov 4 (Reuters) - India's AWL Agri Business AWLA.NS plans to boost its higher-margin packaged foods segment to cut reliance on its volatile edible oil business, aiming to increase the category's share of total volume to 30% within five years, a top executive told Reuters.

Peers such as Marico MRCO.NS, owner of the Saffola brand, are making similar moves by adding products like oats, muesli and soya nuggets to meet rising demand for branded staples.

"Food remains a high focus for us because ... food has a better margin profile as compared to edible oil," Shrikant Kanhere, newly appointed managing director and CEO of the company, formerly called Adani Wilmar, said in an interview late on Monday.

Government data showed that oils and fats inflation averaged 18%–21% in the September quarter, the highest among food and beverage categories, as edible oil prices stayed elevated for a year.

Kanhere, who took over as managing director and CEO from Angshu Mallick on Tuesday, said foods currently make up about a fifth of AWL Agri Business' total volume and are expected to rise to 30% within five years.

The Fortune brand owner expects revenue to grow 10% in the second half of the fiscal year, driven by wider product availability.

The company, which directly reaches 900,000 retail outlets, aims to expand that to 1 million by next year.

Still, the projection marks a sharp slowdown from about 35% growth a year earlier, when surging edible oil prices boosted sales. In the September quarter , high prices again hurt volumes as consumers shifted to cheaper alternatives.

(Reporting by Praveen Paramasivam in Chennai; Editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee)

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Sept 2 (Reuters) - AWL Agri Business Ltd AWLA.NS:

• GERMAN FEDERAL CARTEL OFFICE APPROVES LENCE DEAL

Source text: ID:nBSE7pvTFt

Further company coverage: AWLA.NS

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July 22 (Reuters) -

• SHAJAEATAN INVESTMENT FZCO ACQUIRES 8.52% STAKE IN AWL AGRI BUSINESS - EXCHANGE FILING

Source text: ID:nBSE9bRYdS

Further company coverage: AWLA.NS

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July 15 (Reuters) - AWL Agri Business Ltd AWLA.NS:

• NORMALIZATION OF PALM OIL PRICES IS LIKELY TO SUPPORT VOLUME GROWTH IN THE COMING QUARTERS

• REDUCTION IN DUTY ON CRUDE EDIBLE OILS TO POSITIVELY IMPACT DOMESTIC REFINERS

Source text: ID:nNSE2zthL9

Further company coverage: AWLA.NS

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July 3 (Reuters) - India's AWL Agri Business AWLA.NS, formerly known as Adani Wilmar, clocked a 23% growth in first-quarter standalone revenue, the consumer goods firm said in a provisional update on Thursday, as higher edible oil prices more than offset muted consumer demand.

(Reporting by Nandan Mandayam in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)

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April 28 (Reuters) - AWL Agri Business Ltd AWLA.NS:

• AWL AGRI BUSINESS MARCH-QUARTER CONSOL NET PROFIT 1.9 BILLION RUPEES

• AWL AGRI BUSINESS MARCH-QUARTER CONSOL REVENUE FROM OPERATIONS 182.3 BILLION RUPEES

Source text: [ID:]

Further company coverage: AWLA.NS

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April 16 (Reuters) - AWL Agri Business Ltd AWLA.NS:

• ACQUIRES 80% OF G.D. FOODS MANUFACTURING

• TO ACQUIRE REMAINING 20% OF G.D. FOODS BY FY 2028-29

Source text: ID:nBSE4xSV1q

Further company coverage: AWLA.NS

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April 3 (Reuters) - AWL Agri Business Ltd ADAW.NS:

• AWL AGRI BUSINESS LTD - RECORDS 7% YOY VOLUME GROWTH IN Q4

• AWL AGRI BUSINESS LTD- RECORDED A ROBUST 7% YOY VOLUME GROWTH IN Q4

• AWL AGRI BUSINESS LTD - REVENUE INCREASES 36% YOY IN Q4

• AWL AGRI BUSINESS LTD- WITNESSED BETTER GROWTH IN RURAL TOWNS COMPARED TO URBAN MARKETS

• AWL AGRI BUSINESS LTD- THERE HAS BEEN A DECLINE IN INDUSTRY ESSENTIALS BUSINESS

• AWL AGRI BUSINESS LTD - IN Q4, EDIBLE OIL VOLUME GREW BY 6% YOY

• AWL AGRI BUSINESS LTD - IN Q4, THE FOOD & FMCG SEGMENT DELIVERED 11% YOY REVENUE GROWTH

• AWL AGRI- QUICK COMMERCE SALES VOLUME BEST QUARTER IN TWO YEARS WITH 100%+ YOY INCREASE IN Q4

Source text: ID:nBSE9HFBrr

Further company coverage: ADAW.NS

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March 4 (Reuters) - Adani Wilmar Ltd ADAW.NS:

• ADANI WILMAR LTD - EXECUTES SPA TO ACQUIRE G.D. FOODS

• ADANI WILMAR LTD - FIRST TRANCHE VALUED AT 6.03 BILLION RUPEES FOR 80% SHARE

Source text: ID:nBSE80zXt1

Further company coverage: ADAW.NS

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Feb 25 (Reuters) - Adani Wilmar Ltd ADAW.NS:

• ADANI WILMAR LTD - GETS TAX ORDER WITH PENALTY OF 1.9 MILLION RUPEES

Source text: ID:nBSE5dWSHN

Further company coverage: ADAW.NS

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Feb 6 (Reuters) - Solid demand in rural areas, as well as higher prices of staples including edible oil and wheat flour, helped the consumer goods sector report a 10.6% sales growth in the December quarter, market researcher NielsenIQ said on Thursday.

India's rural areas - which account for just over a third of consumer goods sales - have proven a bright spot for an industry struggling with an inflation-led spending slowdown in large cities.

"Rural markets (continued) to lead the charge, outpacing urban consumption (during the December quarter)," Roosevelt Dsouza, head of customer success for consumer goods at NielsenIQ, said in a statement.

Sales volume jumped 9.9% in rural areas in the December quarter, up from 5.7% in the previous quarter - double the 5% increase in urban centers, NielsenIQ said. But it added urban pockets also improved from the September quarter's 2.6% growth.

Rural areas have outperformed urban locations for the last four quarters, benefiting from income support schemes rolled out by several Indian states, while slowing salary increases in cities have squeezed consumer spending.

In the October-December quarter, overall volume rose by 7.1% - the highest in over a year - driven by demand for laundry products and edible oil, even as prices rose by 3.3%, according to NielsenIQ.

Dabur India DABU.NS and Hindustan Unilever HLL.NS reported a higher December-quarter profit on recovering rural demand.

However, large consumer goods makers, with topline exceeding 50 billion rupees ($571.2 million) are also facing stiff competition from smaller rivals, whose sales increased roughly twice as fast during the festive quarter, NielsenIQ said.

Consumer goods makers have also raised product prices to counter price increases in commodities such as copra and cocoa, with cooking oil maker Adani Wilmar ADAW.NS and Hindustan Unilever warning of further hikes.

Indians also preferred smaller product packs during the quarter, NielsenIQ said, echoing comments from Hindustan Unilever.

($1 = 87.5400 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Praveen Paramasivam in Chennai; Editing by Eileen Soreng)

(([email protected]; +91 867-525-3569;))

Adds details on sales in paragraphs 6-7, Adani group exit in paragraphs 8-10

By Praveen Paramasivam

Feb 5 (Reuters) - Consumer goods firm Adani Wilmar ADAW.NS expects its sales volumes to grow around 10% next fiscal year, CEO Angshu Mallick said on Wednesday, counting on demand from 10-minute grocery delivery apps and a tax cut-led revival in urban spending.

Top executives in sectors including consumer goods and automobiles expect India's plans to cut personal income tax rates to put more disposable income in the hands of the people and eventually boost consumption.

"Whenever consumers have excess money, we have found they first go and buy good food," Mallick told Reuters, adding Adani Wilmar's food business would grow over 20% for the financial year ending March 2026.

For the third quarter, the company, which makes 'Kohinoor' rice, reported a 5% rise in sales volumes, with the edible oil business - its biggest - growing by 4%.

Edible oil sales, including its 'Fortune' cooking oil, will grow at least 6% next year, helping the broader group return to growth of about 10%, Mallick said.

The growth, he expects, will be led by demand from delivery apps, including Zomato-owned ZOMT.NS Blinkit and Zepto, which are expanding to smaller cities.

Adani Wilmar plans to launch higher-priced products and bundled offers on these apps, which Mallick said may bring in more revenue in the next six months as compared to traditional platforms, including Amazon and Flipkart.

In December, the Adani group said it would exit its consumer goods joint venture with Singapore's Wilmar International WLIL.SI in a $2 billion deal.

Mallick said the new name of Adani Wilmar, post a shareholder vote, would be AWL Agri Business Ltd, even as he said the firm's strategy would not change post the deal close, the date for which has not been disclosed.

He said Adani Wilmar will continue to focus on expanding its presence in branded foods, including the basmati rice and wheat flour segments, as nearly four-fifths of sales come from unbranded products.

(Reporting by Praveen Paramasivam; Editing by Sonia Cheema)

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Jan 31 (Reuters) - Indian consumer goods maker Marico MRCO.NS reported a smaller-than-expected quarterly profit on Friday, as higher raw material costs and marketing spends overshadowed price increases-led growth.

Rising prices of raw materials including copra and vegetable oil weighed on the Parachute coconut oil maker's profits, while the company also faces intense competition and continues to spend heavily on marketing and advertising.

Marico's expenses rose 17.7% to 23.18 billion rupees ($267.54 million) during the third quarter ended Dec. 31.

Consolidated net profit stood at 3.99 billion rupees ($46.05 million), compared to 3.83 billion rupees a year earlier. Analysts, on average, were expecting a profit of 4.02 billion rupees, according to data compiled by LSEG.

Revenue, however, came in at 27.94 billion rupees, up 15.4% from a year earlier, supported by improving demand in rural areas and product price increases.

Marico said it would raise prices of its products further to make up for an expected "firmness" in commodity prices, noting copra prices, up 38% this financial year, were ahead of its forecasts.

It also said its revenue would increase in the double-digit percentage range in the medium term by increasing its market share across its portfolio of brands.

Meanwhile, Dove soap maker and industry bellwether Hindustan Unilever HLL.NS reported below-expectation results last week and forecast margin pressures ahead.

($1 = 86.6400 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Praveen Paramasivam in Chennai; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)

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Jan 27 (Reuters) - India's Adani Wilmar ADAW.NS reported a two-fold surge in third-quarter profit on Monday, buoyed by higher demand in its core edible oils segment.

The consumer goods company, which makes the Fortune brand of cooking oil, reported a consolidated net profit of 4.11 billion rupees ($47.56 million) for the quarter ended Dec. 31 from 2.01 billion rupees a year ago.

Shares rose 3% after the results.

Revenue from its core edible oils segment - which accounted for over 79% of total revenue - grew 38% during the quarter, driven by increased demand for sunflower and mustard oils.

The company said it recorded in 5% growth in volumes in the quarter.

Cooking oil has largely resisted the broader slowdown in branded consumer goods due to its essential nature, despite brands increasing prices in recent months to offset rising ingredient costs, as per analysts.

Expenses rose 30% due to a sharp rise in underlying commodity prices, driven by a hike in customs duty in mid-September.

Adani Wilmar's foods unit, which includes products such as soya chunks and basmati rice, recorded a 22% revenue growth, driven by increased demand from general trade and e-commerce channels, according to its quarterly update.

It reported a 31% increase in total revenue, hitting 168.59 billion rupees.

In late December, the Adani Group announced its exit from the consumer goods unit - which it owned in a joint venture with Singapore's Wilmar International WLIL.SI - selling its entire stake to its Singaporean partner and through the open market.

Rival Marico MRCO.NS said in its update it anticipated third-quarter revenue growth in the mid-teen percentage range, supported by improving rural consumption and stronger demand for its Parachute and Saffola oil brands.

($1 = 86.4250 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Ashna Teresa Britto; Editing by Janane Venkatraman)

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