Market Overview
| Study Period | 2017 - 2030 |
|---|---|
| Base Year For Estimation | 2024 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2025 - 2030 |
| Market Size (2025) | USD 515.9 Million |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 721.5 Million |
| Growth Rate (2025 - 2030) | 6.94% CAGR |
| Market Concentration | Low |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0. |
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India Animal Protein Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The India Animal Protein Market size is estimated at 515.9 million USD in 2025, and is expected to reach 721.5 million USD by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.94% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
The Indian animal protein industry is experiencing significant transformation driven by changing consumer preferences and health consciousness. Approximately 70% of Indians are actively focusing on improving their overall health and immunity through dietary modifications, particularly through protein-rich foods. This shift is reflected in the increasing demand for protein ingredients across various categories, from everyday staples to specialized nutrition products. The industry is witnessing a notable trend toward clean-label products, with about 71% of consumers actively avoiding artificial flavors and seeking products with natural, recognizable ingredients.
The dairy products sector plays a pivotal role in India's animal protein landscape, with the country maintaining its position as the world's leading milk producer. The per capita availability of milk reached 459 grams per day in 2022-23, significantly higher than the global average of 322 grams per day. This abundance of dairy protein resources has fostered innovation in protein-derived products, particularly in whey and casein-based ingredients, which are finding applications across various industries from food protein and beverages to personal care products.
Consumer preferences are evolving rapidly, with a growing emphasis on product innovation and sustainability. In the confectionery segment, approximately 38% of consumers are seeking unique combinations of sweet and savory flavors in 2023, driving manufacturers to develop innovative protein-enriched products. The industry is also witnessing a significant shift toward sustainable practices, with 61% of consumers showing a strong preference for brands that prioritize sustainable packaging and environmentally conscious production methods.
The market is characterized by continuous product innovation and strategic launches by major players. Recent developments include Nestlé's introduction of KOKO KRUNCH Millet-Jowar and MUNCH Breakfast Cereals in 2024, incorporating protein-rich ingredients to meet evolving consumer preferences. Companies are increasingly focusing on developing specialized protein ingredients for specific applications, ranging from sports nutrition to beauty and personal care products. This trend is particularly evident in the personal care sector, where manufacturers are incorporating animal proteins like collagen and whey for their functional benefits in skincare and haircare products.
India Animal Protein Market Trends and Insights
Increase in per capita animal protein consumption to create a favorable environment for whey protein and collagen suppliers
- The country's food industry has tripled in the past decade and is expected to follow the same trend over the coming years. Functional foods, beverages, and protein products are becoming widely popular due to their health benefits. The demand for personal care products containing whey protein has also increased in the country. Due to the country's increasing awareness of fitness, the demand for whey protein powder among bodybuilders and young Indians is increasing. About 33% of urban Indians have easy access to a gym. Meanwhile, 25% of the population in India who had never joined a gym or taken a lesson from a fitness teacher began going to the gym for the first time in the first half of 2022.
- The market is driven by factors such as a growing inclination toward beauty and health supplements and increased R&D activities. The spectrum of applications of collagen is broad, with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies incorporating collagen-based products for better drug delivery systems. However, there is a strong preference for natural and ayurvedic products, boosting the market for natural ingredients such as animal proteins.
- In 2020, the yield of animal byproducts ranged between 50% and 60% of the live weight. Hides and skins are typically among the most valuable animal byproducts, producing end products like edible gelatin. The weight of the hides ranges from 4% to 11% of the live animal's weight. Increased usage of gelatin as a viable biodegradable food packaging material and a boost in fortified confectionery and sports nutrition products may lead to new prospects for the Indian market from 2024 to 2029.
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Increase in per capita animal protein consumption to create a favorable environment for whey protein and collagen suppliers
- The raw materials considered in the graph are meat from cattle, pigs, and chickens (fresh and chilled), raw milk from cattle and goats, skim milk from cows, and dry whey powder. India is the world's leading producer of milk, which is the basic raw material used to manufacture various animal protein types. The per capita availability of milk in India stood at 459 grams per day for 2022-2023, significantly higher than the global average of 322 grams per day, as reported in Food Outlook in June 2023. India contributed to 24% of the global milk production in the year 2021-2022. India’s milk production has registered a 51% increase during the last eight years.
- Animal proteins, such as whey, are widely generated in India as a byproduct of paneer and cheese manufacturing. The production of these byproducts is continuously increasing. The production of cheese from whole cow milk was registered at 5,190.8 tonnes in India in 2021. However, much of the cheese market remains untapped, implying that the production of cheese and its byproducts has huge growth potential in India.
- Gelatin and collagen-producing industries rely heavily on slaughterhouses and cattle, pig, and fish farms for their raw materials. In 2022, the country had 63 government-approved abattoirs, becoming one of the world's largest meat producers. However, most abattoirs in India dispose of their waste, including skin, bones, and hooves, posing a significant difficulty for the animal protein industry. Government initiatives and the construction of new modern slaughterhouses nationwide are helping boost the industry. Similarly, raw materials are supplied to the country's marine-based food makers by the marine industries, which are primarily based in the state of Bengal.
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OTHER KEY INDUSTRY TRENDS COVERED IN THE REPORT
- Growing concerns about infant nutrition are driving the market
- Non-alcoholic drinks are predicted to support market growth
- Home cooking is driving the market
- Dairy alternatives to witness significant growth rate
- Growing preference for a protein-rich diet to influence segment growth
- The healthier snacking option is driving the market
- Compound Feed Supporting the Demand for Animal Feed in India
- The increasing presence of organized bakeries is anticipated to impact the market
- Fortification and innovative packaging trends are expected to influence the breakfast cereals segment
- Growing per capita consumption and retail infrastructure are driving market growth
- Increase in the geriatric population is driving the segment
- The RTE/RTC segment is dominant in the food processing industry
- Rising Awareness Regarding Sport/Performance Nutrition Is Increasing the Consumer Base in the Market
- Premiumization and growing preference for natural ingredients boosting the segment
Segment Analysis: Protein Type
Whey Protein Segment in India Animal Protein Market
Whey protein dominates the Indian animal protein market, commanding approximately 34% market share in 2024, primarily driven by its extensive applications across the food and beverage industries, particularly in sports nutrition and dietary protein supplements. The segment's prominence is attributed to whey protein's superior nutritional profile, high digestibility, and versatile functional properties that make it ideal for various applications, from protein bars to beverages. Its popularity among fitness enthusiasts and athletes continues to grow due to its fast absorption rate and complete amino acid profile. The segment's growth is further supported by increasing health consciousness among Indian consumers and rising demand for protein-fortified products.
Collagen Segment in India Animal Protein Market
The collagen segment is projected to exhibit the strongest growth trajectory in the Indian animal protein market, with an expected CAGR of approximately 8% during 2024-2029. This remarkable growth is primarily driven by increasing applications in the personal care and cosmetics industry, where collagen's anti-aging and skin health benefits are highly valued. The segment's expansion is further supported by growing consumer awareness about collagen's benefits for joint health, skin elasticity, and muscle strength. Rising demand from the food and beverage industry, particularly in functional foods and beverages, is also contributing to the segment's growth, with manufacturers increasingly incorporating collagen in various products to meet consumer demand for health-enhancing ingredients.
Remaining Segments in Protein Type
The other significant segments in the Indian animal protein market include milk protein, gelatin, egg protein, casein, insect protein, and other animal proteins, each serving distinct market needs. Milk protein and gelatin are particularly important in the food and beverage industry, offering crucial functional properties for product formulation. Egg protein maintains its significance in both food applications and animal feed, while casein serves specialized needs in the food industry. Insect protein, though currently a smaller segment, is gaining attention as a sustainable protein source, particularly in animal feed applications. These segments collectively contribute to the market's diversity and cater to various industrial requirements across food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and personal care applications.
Segment Analysis: End User
Food and Beverages Segment in India Animal Protein Market
The Food and Beverages (F&B) segment dominates the Indian animal protein market, commanding approximately 78% of the total market value in 2024. This substantial market share is primarily driven by the increasing consumer demand across various sub-segments, including snacks, bakery products, and dairy alternatives. The segment's prominence is further strengthened by the rising consumer awareness regarding protein-fortified foods and beverages, particularly in urban areas. Manufacturers are actively incorporating animal proteins like whey protein, casein, and egg protein into their formulations to meet the growing demand for nutritious and functional food products. The F&B segment's leadership is also attributed to the versatile applications of animal proteins in improving texture, stability, and nutritional content across different food categories, from ready-to-eat meals to beverages.
Personal Care and Cosmetics Segment in India Animal Protein Market
The Personal Care and Cosmetics segment is emerging as the fastest-growing sector in the Indian animal protein market, projected to expand at approximately 10% CAGR from 2024 to 2029. This remarkable growth is driven by increasing consumer awareness about the benefits of protein-based personal care products and rising demand for natural ingredients in cosmetics formulations. The segment's expansion is particularly notable in skincare and haircare applications, where proteins like collagen and keratin are gaining significant traction. Manufacturers are increasingly incorporating animal-derived proteins into their formulations due to their proven benefits in improving skin elasticity, hair strength, and overall appearance. The trend towards premium beauty products and growing preference for natural ingredients in cosmetics is further accelerating the segment's growth trajectory.
Remaining Segments in End User Market
The Animal Feed and Supplements segments complete the market landscape, each playing crucial roles in different applications. The Animal Feed segment maintains a significant presence due to the growing livestock industry and increasing demand for protein-enriched feed products. This segment particularly benefits from the application of egg proteins and other animal-derived protein ingredients in feed formulations. Meanwhile, the Supplements segment serves specialized markets, including sports nutrition, baby food, and elderly nutrition, offering targeted protein supplements for specific consumer needs. Both segments continue to evolve with technological advancements and changing consumer preferences, contributing to the overall market dynamics.
Competitive Landscape
Top Companies in India Animal Protein Market
The Indian animal protein market features prominent players like Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited, Nakoda Dairy Private Limited, Kerry Group PLC, Glanbia PLC, and Nitta Gelatin Inc., leading the competitive landscape. Companies are focusing heavily on product innovation, particularly in developing specialized protein ingredients for sports nutrition, infant formula, and functional foods. Operational agility is demonstrated through investments in advanced filtration technologies and manufacturing capabilities to ensure consistent quality and supply. Strategic moves center around expanding product portfolios through research and development, especially in areas like marine-based gelatin and specialized whey proteins. Market leaders are strengthening their positions by establishing robust distribution networks and forming partnerships with local players to enhance market penetration. The industry witnesses continuous efforts to develop clean-label products and sustainable sourcing practices to meet evolving consumer preferences.
Market Structure Favors Established Global Players
The Indian animal protein market exhibits a relatively fragmented structure, with global conglomerates holding significant market share alongside specialized regional players. International companies leverage their advanced technological capabilities and extensive research infrastructure to maintain competitive advantages, particularly in high-value segments like sports nutrition and infant formula. The market demonstrates a mix of multinational corporations with diverse protein portfolios and local specialists focusing on specific protein types such as gelatin or dairy protein. Manufacturing capabilities and raw material access play crucial roles in determining competitive positions, with companies investing in local production facilities to better serve the Indian market.
The industry shows increasing consolidation trends, particularly in the dairy protein segment, where larger players are acquiring regional manufacturers to expand their presence. Market dynamics are characterized by strong backward integration, especially among dairy protein manufacturers who maintain direct relationships with milk producers. Companies with an established global presence often bring international expertise and quality standards to the Indian market, while local players leverage their understanding of regional preferences and distribution networks. The competitive landscape is further shaped by companies' abilities to maintain consistent quality while managing raw material costs and supply chain complexities.
Innovation and Distribution Drive Future Success
Success in the Indian animal protein market increasingly depends on companies' ability to innovate across product formulations and applications while maintaining cost competitiveness. Incumbents must focus on developing application-specific protein ingredients solutions, particularly for growing segments like sports nutrition and functional foods, while maintaining strong relationships with key end-users in the food and beverage industry. Companies need to invest in research and development to create differentiated products that address specific nutritional needs and consumer preferences. The ability to provide technical support and customization options to industrial customers while maintaining efficient production processes will be crucial for maintaining market position.
Future market success will require companies to build robust distribution networks reaching both urban and rural markets, while also developing strong e-commerce capabilities. Players must navigate regulatory requirements, particularly regarding food safety and labeling, while maintaining transparency in their supply chains. The ability to manage raw material costs through strategic sourcing relationships and operational efficiency will become increasingly important as competition intensifies. Companies entering the market should focus on identifying underserved niches and developing specialized products while building strong relationships with local distribution partners. Success will also depend on the ability to educate consumers about the benefits and applications of protein supplements while addressing concerns about product origin and quality.
India Animal Protein Industry Leaders
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Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited
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Glanbia PLC
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Kerry Group PLC
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Nakoda Dairy Private Limited
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Nitta Gelatin Inc.
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
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Recent Industry Developments
- January 2021: Nitta Gelatin India has introduced an international standard fine-grade gelatin in the hotel/restaurant/catering (HoReCa) business. The superior-grade gelatin is produced using Japanese technology in accordance with the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system, in line with European Regulation hygiene standards (EC). This gelatin is derived from natural sources that contain all essential amino acids except tryptophan.
- April 2020: Fonterra launched SureProteinTM Optibar 892, a whey protein isolate that is more cohesive and helps fine-tune texture and composition while formulating high-protein and low-sugar bars. With this launch, the company aims to cover the aspirational trend of 1 g of protein to 1 g of sugar-type composition without making the bars chewy.
- July 2019: Nitta Gelatin India Limited attained OHSAS certification for its Gelatin and Ossein divisions, capturing an extended consumer base in the country and the international markets through exports.
India Animal Protein Market Report Scope
Casein and Caseinates, Collagen, Egg Protein, Gelatin, Insect Protein, Milk Protein, Whey Protein are covered as segments by Protein Type. Animal Feed, Food and Beverages, Personal Care and Cosmetics, Supplements are covered as segments by End User.
Protein Type
| Casein and Caseinates |
| Collagen |
| Egg Protein |
| Gelatin |
| Insect Protein |
| Milk Protein |
| Whey Protein |
| Other Animal Protein |
End User
| Animal Feed | ||
| Food and Beverages | By Sub End User | Bakery |
| Beverages | ||
| Breakfast Cereals | ||
| Condiments/Sauces | ||
| Confectionery | ||
| Dairy and Dairy Alternative Products | ||
| RTE/RTC Food Products | ||
| Snacks | ||
| Personal Care and Cosmetics | ||
| Supplements | By Sub End User | Baby Food and Infant Formula |
| Elderly Nutrition and Medical Nutrition | ||
| Sport/Performance Nutrition | ||
| Protein Type | Casein and Caseinates | ||
| Collagen | |||
| Egg Protein | |||
| Gelatin | |||
| Insect Protein | |||
| Milk Protein | |||
| Whey Protein | |||
| Other Animal Protein | |||
| End User | Animal Feed | ||
| Food and Beverages | By Sub End User | Bakery | |
| Beverages | |||
| Breakfast Cereals | |||
| Condiments/Sauces | |||
| Confectionery | |||
| Dairy and Dairy Alternative Products | |||
| RTE/RTC Food Products | |||
| Snacks | |||
| Personal Care and Cosmetics | |||
| Supplements | By Sub End User | Baby Food and Infant Formula | |
| Elderly Nutrition and Medical Nutrition | |||
| Sport/Performance Nutrition | |||
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Market Definition
- End User - The Protein Ingredients Market operates on a B2B basis. Food, Beverages, Supplements, Animal Feed, and Personal Care & Cosmetic manufacturers are considered to be end-consumers in the market studied. The scope excludes manufacturers buying liquid/dry whey to be used for application as a binding agent or thickener or other non-protein applications.
- Penetration Rate - Penetration Rate is defined as the percentage of Protein-Fortified End User Market Volume in the Overall End User Market Volume.
- Average Protein Content - Average protein content is the average protein content present per 100 g of product manufactured by all end-user companies considered under the scope of this report.
- End User Market Volume - End-user market volume is the consolidated volume of all types and forms of end-user products in the country or region.
| Keyword | Definition |
|---|---|
| Alpha-lactalbumin (α-Lactalbumin) | It is a protein that regulates the production of lactose in the milk of almost all mammalian species. |
| Amino acid | It is an organic compound that contains both amino and carboxylic acid functional groups, which are required for the synthesis of body protein and other important nitrogen-containing compounds, such as creatine, peptide hormones, and some neurotransmitters. |
| Blanching | It is the process of briefly heating vegetables with steam or boiling water. |
| BRC | British Retail Consortium |
| Bread improver | It is a flour-based blend of several components with specific functional properties designed to modify dough characteristics and give quality attributes to bread. |
| BSF | Black Soldier Fly |
| Caseinate | It is a substance produced by adding an alkali to acid casein, a derivative of casein. |
| Celiac disease | Celiac disease is an immune reaction to eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. |
| Colostrum | It is a milky fluid that’s released by mammals that have recently given birth before breast milk production begins. |
| Concentrate | It is the least processed form of protein and has a protein content ranging from 40-90% by weight. |
| Dry protein basis | It refers to the percentage of "pure protein" present in a supplement after the water in it is completely removed through heat. |
| Dry whey | It is the product resulting from drying fresh whey which has been pasteurized and to which nothing has been added as a preservative. |
| Egg protein | It is a mixture of individual proteins, including ovalbumin, ovomucoid, ovoglobulin, conalbumin, vitellin, and vitellenin. |
| Emulsifier | It is a food additive that facilitates the blending of foods that are immiscible with one another, such as oil and water. |
| Enrichment | It is the process of addition of micronutrients that are lost during the processing of the product. |
| ERS | Economic Research Service of the USDA |
| Extrusion | It is the process of forcing soft mixed ingredients through an opening in a perforated plate or die designed to produce the required shape. The extruded food is then cut to a specific size by blades. |
| Fava | Also known as Faba, it is another word for yellow split beans. |
| FDA | Food and Drug Administration |
| Flaking | It is a process in which typically a cereal grain (like corn, wheat, or rice) is broken down into grits, cooked with flavors and syrups, and then pressed into flakes between cooled rollers. |
| Foaming agent | It is a food ingredient that makes it possible to form or maintain a uniform dispersion of a gaseous phase in a liquid or solid food. |
| Foodservice | It refers to the part of the food industry which includes businesses, institutions, and companies which prepare meals outside the home. It includes restaurants, school and hospital cafeterias, catering operations, and many other formats. |
| Fortification | It is the deliberate addition of micronutrients that are not found in them naturally or which are lost during processing, to improve a food product's nutritional value. |
| FSANZ | Food Standards Australia New Zealand |
| FSIS | Food Safety and Inspection Service |
| FSSAI | Food Safety and Standards Authority of India |
| Gelling agent | It is an ingredient that functions as a stabilizer and thickener to provide thickening without stiffness through the formation of gel. |
| GHG | Greenhouse Gas |
| Gluten | It is a family of proteins found in grains, including wheat, rye, spelt, and barley. |
| Hemp | It is a botanical class of Cannabis sativa cultivars grown specifically for industrial or medicinal use. |
| Hydrolysate | It is a form of protein manufactured by exposing the protein to enzymes that can partially break the bonds between the protein's amino acids and break down large, complicated proteins into smaller pieces. Its processing makes it easier and quicker to digest. |
| Hypoallergenic | It refers to a substance that causes fewer allergic reactions. |
| Isolate | It is the purest and most processed form of protein which has undergone separation to obtain a pure protein fraction. It typically contains ≥ 90% of protein by weight. |
| Keratin | It is a protein that helps form hair, nails, and the outer layer of skin. |
| Lactalbumin | It is the albumin contained in milk and obtained from whey. |
| Lactoferrin | It is an iron‑binding glycoprotein that is present in the milk of most mammals. |
| Lupin | It is the yellow legume seeds of the genus Lupinus. |
| Millenial | Also known as Generation Y or Gen Y, it refers to the people born from 1981 to 1996. |
| Monogastric | It refers to an animal with a single-compartmented stomach. Examples of monogastric include humans, poultry, pigs, horses, rabbits, dogs, and cats. Most monogastric are generally unable to digest much cellulose food materials such as grasses. |
| MPC | Milk protein concentrate |
| MPI | Milk protein isolate |
| MSPI | Methylated soy protein isolate |
| Mycoprotein | Mycoprotein is a form of single-cell protein, also known as fungal protein, derived from fungi for human consumption. |
| Nutricosmetics | It is a category of products and ingredients that act as nutritional supplements to care for skin, nails, and hair natural beauty. |
| Osteoporosis | It is a medical condition in which the bones become brittle and fragile from loss of tissue, typically as a result of hormonal changes, or deficiency of calcium or vitamin D. |
| PDCAAS | Protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) is a method of evaluating the quality of a protein based on both the amino acid requirements of humans and their ability to digest it. |
| Per-capita consumption of animal protein | It is the average amount of animal protein (such as milk, whey, gelatin, collagen, and egg proteins) that is readily available for consumption by each person in an actual population. |
| Per-capita consumption of plant protein | It is the average amount of plant protein (such as soy, wheat, pea, oat, and hemp proteins) that is readily available for consumption by each person in an actual population. |
| Quorn | It is a microbial protein manufactured using mycoprotein as an ingredient, in which the fungus culture is dried and mixed with egg albumen or potato protein, which acts as a binder, and then is adjusted in texture and pressed into various forms. |
| Ready-to-Cook (RTC) | It refers to food products that include all of the ingredients, where some preparation or cooking is required through a process that is given on the package. |
| Ready-to-Eat (RTE) | It refers to a food product prepared or cooked in advance, with no further cooking or preparation required before being eaten. |
| RTD | Ready-to-Drink |
| RTS | Ready-to-Serve |
| Saturated fat | It is a type of fat in which the fatty acid chains have all single bonds. It is generally considered unhealthy. |
| Sausage | It is a meat product made of finely chopped and seasoned meat, which may be fresh, smoked, or pickled and which is then usually stuffed into a casing. |
| Seitan | It is a plant-based meat substitute made out of wheat gluten. |
| Softgel | It is a gelatin-based capsule with a liquid fill. |
| SPC | Soy protein concentrate |
| SPI | Soy protein isolate |
| Spirulina | It is a biomass of cyanobacteria that can be consumed by humans and animals. |
| Stabilizer | It is an ingredient added to food products to help maintain or enhance their original texture, and physical and chemical characteristics. |
| Supplementation | It is the consumption or provision of concentrated sources of nutrients or other substances that are intended to supplement nutrients in the diet and is intended to correct nutritional deficiencies. |
| Texturant | It is a specific type of food ingredient that is used to control and alter the mouthfeel and texture of food and beverage products. |
| Thickener | It is an ingredient that is used to increase the viscosity of a liquid or dough and make it thicker, without substantially changing its other properties. |
| Trans fat | Also called trans-unsaturated fatty acids or trans fatty acids, it is a type of unsaturated fat that naturally occurs in small amounts in meat. |
| TSP | Textured soy protein |
| TVP | Textured vegetable protein |
| WPC | Whey protein concentrate |
| WPI | Whey protein isolate |
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Research Methodology
Mordor Intelligence follows a four-step methodology in all our reports.
- Step-1: Identify Key Variables: The quantifiable key variables (industry and extraneous) pertaining to the specific product segment and country are selected from a group of relevant variables & factors based on desk research & literature review; along with primary expert inputs. These variables are further confirmed through regression modeling (wherever required).
- Step-2: Build a Market Model: In order to build a robust forecasting methodology, the variables and factors identified in Step-1 are tested against available historical market numbers. Through an iterative process, the variables required for market forecast are set and the model is built on the basis of these variables.
- Step-3: Validate and Finalize: In this important step, all market numbers, variables and analyst calls are validated through an extensive network of primary research experts from the market studied. The respondents are selected across levels and functions to generate a holistic picture of the market studied.
- Step-4: Research Outputs: Syndicated Reports, Custom Consulting Assignments, Databases & Subscription Platforms
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