Zone, a beverage solutions brand, showcased its innovations within the beverage and snack sectors at Aahar 2026 in Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam. Talking to IndiFoodBev at the show, Shubham Jain, director of sales for the company, spoke about new product ranges, expansion in existing segments, and the company’s plans to penetrate the western and southern Indian markets.
Zone has been a veteran at the show and received substantial footfall comprising old channel partners and new visitors. Aahar continues to serve as a vital hub for the company, founded in the early 2000s with a production unit in Alwar, Rajasthan, and a corporate office in Delhi-NCR.
On the show, Jain said, “This year’s exhibition highlights a clear shift in consumer behavior, with businesses rapidly adapting to meet the demands of a more discerning and convenience-oriented market. The atmosphere at the expo was one of high energy, as industry leaders gathered to exchange ideas and unveil products for the evolving tastes of the modern consumer.”
The focus this year was the expansion of beverage solutions, ranging from traditional syrups and crushes to new ready-to-mix (RTM) lines. “These products are designed to address the challenges of trained manpower shortages across the food service sector. By providing pour-and-serve solutions that require minimal preparation, only the addition of water, soda, or other basic toppings, we are maintaining high standards of quality and consistency with greater efficiency,” he said.
Jain says the rise of the Gen-Z consumer has sparked a notable transformation in the coffee segment. Recognizing the shift toward premium and instant coffee experiences, Zone has launched new categories of instant coffee aimed at both existing and new players in the Horeca (hotel, restaurant, and cafe) sector.
“This launch is intended to capture a demographic that values both quality and convenience, further diversifying the coffee landscape in India. The enthusiasm for these new coffee ranges has been a standout feature of this year’s expo, reflecting a broader trend of coffee culture becoming more deeply integrated into the daily lives of younger consumers.”
Innovation at Aahar 2026 extended beyond beverages into the snack segment, with the introduction of specialized breadcrumbs and coatings for frozen and finger foods. This development is aimed at the growing demand for convenient snack options in the food service industry.
“We are aggressively expanding our geographical footprint. While we have traditionally been strong in Northern India, we are making efforts to increase market share in the western and southern regions of India. Plans are underway to venture into the eastern market, and we are optimistic about growing stronger and supplying pan-India,” he concludes.
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Naresh Khanna – 10 February 2025
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