Annual production capacity increases by approximately 33%
Company targets over 20% sales growth in India this year
Lotte Wellfood is significantly expanding production of its flagship Choco Pie in India, reinforcing its presence in one of the world's fastest-growing consumer markets as demand for the popular snack continues to climb.
According to the confectionery industry on July 27, the company's Indian subsidiary, LOTTE India, has officially begun commercial operations at the newly completed fourth Choco Pie production line at its Rohtak plant in Haryana after completing trial production and quality stabilization.
The new production line was built with an investment of approximately KRW 30 billion and construction began in May 2024. Following pilot operations and quality verification completed in June, the facility has now entered full-scale production.
With the expansion, LOTTE India's annual Choco Pie production capacity has increased by approximately 33 percent compared with previous levels.
Supported by the higher output, the company expects Choco Pie sales in India to grow by more than 20 percent this year compared with 2025.
Choco Pie has established itself as the dominant brand in India's chocolate pie category, holding more than a 70 percent market share. Last year, the product generated annual sales exceeding KRW 100 billion in India for the first time and has maintained an average annual growth rate of around 20 percent over the past three years.
Lotte Wellfood has continued investing in manufacturing infrastructure to support rising demand. In 2023, the company added a third Choco Pie production line at its Chennai plant in Tamil Nadu, and the latest expansion at the Rohtak facility further strengthens its production network across both northern and southern India.
The company's broader business in India is also showing strong momentum.
Following the integration of its confectionery and ice cream operations, LOTTE India has been realizing operational synergies, with first-half sales increasing approximately 28 percent year-over-year.
To further improve efficiency, the company is implementing its "ONE INDIA" strategy by integrating previously separate distribution networks across northern, southern, and western India. The initiative is designed to optimize logistics and manufacturing operations, enhance cost competitiveness, and strengthen nationwide distribution.
Lotte Wellfood aims to achieve annual sales of KRW 1 trillion in India by 2032.
Industry analysts view the latest production expansion as part of the company's broader strategy to position India as one of its key global manufacturing and sales hubs rather than simply increasing production capacity.
India continues to attract major investments from global food companies due to its rapidly expanding middle class, strong population growth, and rising consumer spending.
Choco Pie has successfully built strong brand recognition by tailoring its products to local consumer preferences while aggressively expanding its distribution network. The additional production capacity is expected to support continued market leadership and facilitate expansion into new regions across the country.
Industry experts note that India's confectionery market still offers significant long-term growth potential. Expanding local production not only reduces logistics costs and strengthens supply stability but also improves price competitiveness, creating favorable conditions for sustained market leadership.
