A resilient and agile supply chain has become the backbone of sustained growth in today’s fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. As consumer preferences shift rapidly and market disruptions become more frequent, traditional supply chain models struggle to keep pace. Smart supply chain strategies—leveraging digital technologies, data-driven forecasting, and real-time visibility—are now essential for FMCG companies seeking to minimize risk, reduce costs, and respond quickly to demand fluctuations.
This transformation is more than evident in South Asia, where India and Bangladesh are leading the way with innovative supply chain solutions that drive resilient FMCG growth.
FMCG growth strategies in India and Bangladesh
India and Bangladesh have emerged as key drivers of South Asia’s FMCG industry, fueling much of the region’s economic momentum.
Combined, the two countries create a fast-evolving consumer market. Unprecedented growth in the region’s FMCG sector is being driven by higher incomes, rapid urban development, and a surge in digital commerce.
Yet opportunity comes with complexity. Seasonal surges, festival demand spikes, evolving trade policy, and logistics bottlenecks continue to challenge FMCG players. For both countries, digital supply chain transformation has become an essential step.
Let’s unpack.
Understanding seasonal demand
Seasonality is the heartbeat of FMCG in India and the rest of South Asia with several peak seaons across the various countries. It influences every supply chain decision from production schedules to last-mile delivery. To understand how companies are adapting their FMCG supply chain models, it helps to first look at how demand unfolds in each country.
India: A market of high expectations
India’s FMCG growth relies on diversity, but demand patterns are unpredictable.
Festival demand: Surges during Lohri, Pongal, Holi, Diwali, Dussehra, and Christmas fuel spikes in categories such as sweets, snacks, beverages, and personal care.
Salary-cycle buying: Consumers tend to spend more during the 1st and 3rd weeks of the month.
Quick commerce: Blinkit, Zepto, and Instamart are driving impulse-led purchases, particularly in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities.
The risk? Forecasting errors can inflate supply chain costs by 8–12% during peaks.
Bangladesh: A market of resilient momentum
Bangladesh’s FMCG sector is expanding steadily, driven by urbanization, rising incomes and digital adoption – but consumer habits remain segmented.
Urban-rural divide: Urban consumers prefer branded and premium products, while rural demand still leans heavily on traditional, unbranded goods.
E-commerce evolution: Online platforms are reshaping buying behavior, especially among younger, tech-savvy shoppers seeking convenience and variety.
Segment-specific loyalty: Branded noodles and snacks dominate, but staples like bread and rice still rely on local producers. Premium packaged rice, for instance, accounts for less than 1% of national consumption.
The risk? Economic shocks and uneven brand penetration can delay growth trajectories and complicate demand forecasting.
Digital solutions for FMCG supply chains
Smart supply chains are enabling FMCG firms to overcome volatility and thrive in the India-Bangladesh FMCG industry. The following strategies are becoming standard practice:
Smart forecasting
By studying historical sales data alongside weather shifts and festival calendars, artificial intelligence helps forecast accurate consumer demand. For instance, Indian FMCG companies using AI forecasting have been able to reduce waste and improve inventory efficiency during high-demand periods such as Diwali and Holi. This precision around festival demand allows firms to allocate stock more effectively, thus fueling more agile and efficient FMCG supply chains.
IoT-enabled warehousing
In both India and Bangladesh, IoT sensors and automated systems in warehouses is adding resilience to FMCG supply chains in numerous ways. They provide transparency and visibility on inventory levels, temperature, humidity, and the location of goods. FMCG companies can also monitor perishable goods more closely and ensures the optimal storage conditions and reducing spoiling or waste. IoT-generated data provides companies have a more accurate data for better decision making on forecasting, resource allocation and process optimisation. It makes the FMCG supply chains more adaptive and resilient to shocks, making it easier for FMCG businesses to respond quickly to sudden demand and supply disruptions.
Blockchain and QR traceability
Consumer trust is becoming a competitive differentiator. Blockchain pilots in Bangladesh and QR-code systems in India are enabling transparent supply chains. Both technologies make it easier to verify product authenticity, origin, and quality. This is especially valuable in markets like India and Bangladesh, where counterfeit goods and regulatory compliance are ongoing challenges. Blockchain creates an immutable, shared record of every transaction and movement in the supply chain. QR codes allow each product to be traced back through its entire journey, from production to the consumer. By integrating blockchain and QR traceability, FMCG companies create supply chains that are more transparent, trustworthy, and responsive to both everyday challenges and unexpected disruptions.
Route optimization software
Urban congestion in Mumbai and Dhaka is notorious. Route optimization, powered by AI, is helping FMCG firms shorten delivery windows, especially during festival demand periods when order volumes peak.
Trade policy and its influence on FMCG supply chains
Shifting global agreements and tariff regimes are redefining how FMCG firms operate in South Asia. To see the impact of this on FMCG growth in India and Bangaldesh, let’s first examine how trade policy is shaping the country’s position in the global market.
India: Expanding opportunities amid tariffs
India’s evolving trade policy environment is redefining FMCG competitiveness. The landmark India–UK FTA (May 2025) now gives duty-free access to 99% of India’s exports, a major boost for processed foods, textiles, and personal care items.
Steep U.S. tariffs on select Indian goods are disrupting billions in exports, hitting industries such as textiles, jewelry, gems, and auto parts. However, essential sectors such as pharmaceuticals and electronics continue to be exempt.
These measures are forcing companies to diversify export strategies. Domestically, government programs such as PM Gati Shakti and the National Logistics Policy are easing bottlenecks and digitizing freight.
Bangladesh: Preparing for LDC graduation
Like with India’s FMCG market, Bangladesh’s exports have been strengthened by trade pacts such as the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA), along with duty-free entry into the Chinese market. But with its graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2026, new compliance standards will reshape its trade policy framework.
The U.S. introduced some of the highest tariffs in South Asia, especially on Bangladeshi exports, creating major risks for its apparel-driven economy. Subsequent negotiations brought these duties down to a reciprocal rate of about 20%, easing pressure while still leaving challenges for long-term competitiveness.
Building resilient FMCG growth in the India-Bangladesh sector
For FMCG players, the stakes are high. Both countries present booming consumer bases but also shifting risks. Smart supply chains are acting as the bridge between consumer expectations and operational capability.
By embracing digital supply chain tools—AI forecasting, IoT logistics, blockchain traceability, and warehouse automation—businesses can withstand disruptions while capturing new markets.
This dual focus on festival demand readiness and trade policy adaptation defines the next phase of FMCG growth in India and Bangladesh. The takeaway is simple: true resilience comes from steady investment in visibility and agility, not from quick fixes.
What’s Next for the FMCG sector in South Asia?
The future of India and Bangladesh’s FMCG market will be defined by its ability to connect fast-changing consumer behavior with smarter logistics. The India-Bangladesh FMCG industry shows how supply chains adjust to local realities. For India, this means coping with festival shopping peaks and strong rural demand, while in Bangladesh it involves managing flood-prone logistics.
The next step for FMCG firms is to adopt predictive, digitized, and climate-resilient supply chains that can thrive regardless of global shocks or trade disputes. Companies that act now will not just survive, they will lead.
As FMCG demand intensifies, both India and Bangladesh are proving smarter supply chains are the foundation for success. By aligning digital supply chain investments with shifting trade policy environments and preparing for festival demand, businesses can scale sustainably.
The story of FMCG growth in India and Bangladesh is not only about meeting consumer needs. It’s about building resilience for the future.
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Discover more useful articles with Maersk Logistics Insights and learn more about other relevant insights on resilient supply chains as well as on the FMCG sector. Or for more logistics trends and insights, read and download The Logistics Trend Map.
