Best FMCG Stocks to Buy in India in 2023 

FMCG stands for Fast Moving Consumer Goods. It is a sector which relies on the consumer needs and involves low-cost products that are sold quickly and in high volumes. The examples of FMCG products are cosmetics, packaged food, beverages, shampoos, diary products, bakery products, and snacks. The FMCG companies usually operate in a highly competitive market and depend on a wide consumer base.

FMCG companies can be categorised into three major components: food and beverages, personal care and toiletries, and household and cleaning. The success of any FMCG company depends on the efficiency of its distribution channels and the marketing and advertising campaigns.

Best FMCG Stocks in India in 2023

Here is the list of top FMCG stocks in India and their performance history over the past five years. This table will assist you in mapping the performance of various such stocks in India.

Stock Name	Industry	Latest Price (October 17, 2023)	6 Months (April 17, 2023)	5 Years (October 19, 2018)
Hindustan Unilever	Household and Personal Products	₹2558	₹2541	₹1578
Nestle India	Food and Beverages	₹23,299	₹20,661	₹9609
ITC	Cigarettes and other products	₹453	₹398	₹289
Dabur	Household and Personal Products	₹540	₹520	₹404
Emami	Household and Personal Products	₹504	₹362	₹432
Procter and Gamble	Household and Personal Products	₹146	₹151	₹87
Marico Limited	Household and Personal Products	₹545	₹480	₹310
Britannia Industries	Food and Beverages	₹4600	₹4301	₹2781
Colgate Palmolive (India) Limited	Household and Personal Products	₹2070	₹1551	₹1099
Godrej Consumer Products Ltd	Household and Personal Products	₹999	₹969	₹742

Introduction to Best FMCG Stocks Companies in India

Here is a brief introduction to the above listed companies which will help you in getting familiar with them. 

Hindustan Unilever

It is one of the largest FMCG companies in India with more than 50 brands across 16 categories and a history that spans over nine decades. Hindustan Unilever was founded in 1933 and is headquartered in Mumbai. It manufactures a whopping 65 billion units annually that are made available through an efficient network of nine million retail outlets and digital commerce platforms. The company clocked an annual turnover of ₹58,154 crore in the 2022-23 financial year while 19 of its brands generated a turnover of ₹1000 crore each. Hindustan Unilever has more than 21000 employees.

Also Read: Hindustan Unilever Share Price

Nestle India

Nestle India Limited, headquartered in Gurgaon, Haryana, is the subsidiary of Swiss multinational company Nestle. Nestle India has eight manufacturing facilities and four branch offices in India. Its products include Nescafe, Maggi, Milkybar, Kit Kat, Bar One, Milkmaid, Nestea. The company has also recently introduced products of daily consumption such as Nestle Milk, Nestle Dahi and Nestle Jeera Raita.The company had clocked a revenue of ₹15,050 crore in 2022 and has more than 2000 employees.

Also Read: Nestle India Ltd

ITC

Founded in 1910 and named Imperial Tobacco Company, the company generated a whopping revenue of ₹78,498 crore in 2023 which made it the biggest FMCG company in India. The company crossed the ₹600,000 crore market cap in July 2023. Though initially an FMCG business, ITC now has a diversified presence in hotels, Paperboards & Specialty Papers, Packaging, and Agri-Business. The company has 200 manufacturing units, 119 hotels across 80 locations and 25 FMCG brands.

Also Read: ITC Ltd Share Price

Dabur

Dabur is an Indian multinational company that was founded 139 years ago in 1884 and is now headquartered in Ghaziabad. Its businesses include personal care products, skin care, hair care, oral hygiene, health supplements and drinks. Dabur has a manufacturing presence in nine countries and its products are sold in more than 100 countries. Its top nine brands that account for Dabur’s 70 percent sales are Dabur Vatika shampoo, Dabur Amla hair oil, Real fruit juice, Dabur Red toothpaste, Dabur Honey, Dabur Chyawanprash, Dabur Lal Tail, Dabur Honitus, and Dabur Pudin Hara,.

Emami 

Emami was founded in 1974 and is headquartered in Kolkata. It is one of the leading and fastest growing personal care and healthcare businesses in India. Emami has more than 20 brands and 450 products with an annual turnover of ₹3406 crore. It is a zero-debt company and has a presence in more than 70 countries. Emami has seven manufacturing units in India. Its portfolio of household brands include BoroPlus, Navratna, Kesh King, Fair and Handsome, Zandu Balm, Mentho Plus Balm and Fast Relief.

Procter and Gamble

Though the company was founded over 180 years ago in 1837. Procter and Gamble India Limited was, however, launched in 1985 with the acquisition of Richardson Hindustan Limited. The company has a diverse range of FMCG businesses which include baby care, fabric care, feminine care, grooming, hair care, home care, oral care, personal health care, and the skin and personal care. Some of its leading and trusted brands include Ambi Pur, Ariel, Gillette, Head & Shoulders, Herbal Essences, Olay, Old Spice, Oral-B, Pampers, Pantene, SK-II, Tide, Vicks, and Whisper.

Marico Limited

Marico was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in Mumbai. It is one of India’s leading consumer products companies in the global beauty and wellness category. Marico recorded US$ 1.2 billion turnover in 2023 through its products sold in India, Asia and Africa. Its portfolio of brands include Parachute, Saffola, Saffola FITTIFY Gourmet, Saffola ImmuniVeda, Saffola Mealmaker, Hair & Care, Parachute Advansed, Nihar Naturals, Mediker, Pure Sense, Coco Soul, Revive, Set Wet, Livon, Just Herbs, True Elements and Beardo.

Additional Read: Marico Q2 Results

Britannia Industries

Britannia Industries was founded in 1892 as a biscuit manufacturing unit that operated from a small house in Kolkata. More than a century later, Britannia is one of the most reputed food-only FMCG companies in India with an annual revenue of ₹11,878.95 crore. The product portfolio of Britannia includes a wide range of biscuits, cakes, and snacks. Its famous brands are Good Day, Marie Gold, and 50-50, which have become household names in India. 

Colgate Palmolive (India) Limited 

Colgate Palmolive India Limited is the Indian subsidiary of the leading global organisation Colgate Palmolive. The company manufactures and markets toothpastes, toothbrushes, toothpowder, oil pulling products and mouthwashes, under the Colgate brand. It also has a  specialised range of personal care products under the Palmolive brand. Colgate Palmolive India has a market cap of ₹56307.83 crore.

Additional Read: Colgate Q2 Results

Godrej Consumer Products Ltd

Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Mumbai, Godrej Consumer Products Limited clocked a revenue of ₹12,366 crore in 2022 and has a market cap of ₹1.03 trillion. The company has a diverse range of businesses which include household insecticides, air care, hair colour, fabric care, and personal wash and hygiene. 

Healthy Investment Tips

The best FMCG stocks are stable and offer a great scope for high returns. These stocks are low risk as these FMCG top 10 companies in India have well established business models and distribution networks.

In any case, these stocks should be part of your wider investment strategy and help you widen your investment portfolio. Also when you plan to invest in stocks, make sure you do a thorough research and calculate the risks associated with the investment. Do not make decisions based on emotions or your liking or dislikes. 

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