Patanjali to enter dairy, apparel biz this year

Patanjali Ayurved Ltd will launch products in the dairy and apparel business this calendar year, said its founder Baba Ramdev.

“With this will be in 11 categories,” Ramdev said on the sidelines of Globoil 2017 edible oil conclave. “The total market size (of these two categories) will be Rs20 lakh crore (Rs20 trillion). We will enter both within this year.”

Ramdev also took aim at Hindustan Unilever Ltd, India’s largest consumer packaged goods firm.

“We are number one in trust and we will be number 1 in turnover in a year,” he said. “We have done (defeated) many large companies. Only Unilever is left,” he said.

“What are foreign companies doing for India? What has Hindustan Unilever done for Hindustan, what gate has Colgate opened, and what birds has Nestle given flight to?” Ramdev asked at the event.

Hindustan Unilever, maker of iconic brands including Lux, Surf Excel, Fair & Lovely, and Kissan, had an annual turnover of ₹34,487 crore in FY16-17, making it India’s largest FMCG firm. That same year, Patanjali Ayurved’s turnover stood at ₹10,561 crore and the company announced that it will cross sales of ₹20,000-25,000 crore in FY17-18,

reported on May 4. The company sells ayurvedic personal care and food products, including flagship toothpaste brand Dant Kanti. It launched a packaged drinking water brand called Divya Jal last month, reported on August 30.