Makhana Gets Its Big Break: Khetika Makes Mithila’s Crunch the Star of Its Snacking Plans

National, 27 October 2026: Khetika, one of India’s largest clean-food brands, today announced a major expansion of its Makhana business with the launch of five Makhana-based snack variants, backed by a dedicated 35,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Patna, Bihar. Building on its existing Makhana business, the company is investing in dedicated sourcing, manufacturing and product development capabilities to take Mithila Makhana beyond traditional consumption and establish it as a significant category within its broader food portfolio.

Guided by its vision of “Clean Food for All”, Khetika sees Makhana as a natural fit for consumers seeking convenient, flavourful and better-for-you snacking options. Rooted in the food traditions of Mithila, Makhana offers an opportunity to bring a familiar Indian ingredient into modern snacking occasions while maintaining a focus on ingredient quality and transparency.

The initial range features five variants: Korean Kimchi, Peri Peri, Lime & Chilli, Himalayan Pink Salt and Salt & Pepper Makhana. Depending on the variant, product attributes include roasting in olive oil, no preservatives, gluten-free formulation, and being a source of dietary fibre and plant protein. The range reflects Khetika’s proposition of “A Snack That’s Got Nothing to Hide”, combining flavour with a focus on ingredient transparency. The smallest packs start at an MRP of ₹50, with availability planned across India through e-commerce, quick-commerce platforms, retail stores and Khetika’s own website.

The launch marks the beginning of a broader snacking platform. Beyond the initial range, Khetika plans to explore Makhana chips, Makhana mixes, additional flavours and other Makhana-based snacks. Its wider snacking pipeline also includes seed-based snacks and date-based options, with future innovation informed by consumer preferences and emerging snacking occasions.

At the centre of this expansion is Khetika’s new dedicated Makhana and Makhana-snacks facility in Patna. One of the company’s largest facilities, it spans 35,000 sq. ft., has an annual processing capacity of 500 MT and represents a phased investment of ₹20 crore. It is Khetika’s second new facility in India this year, taking the company’s total number of facilities to seven. The plant handles the journey from post-sourcing through to packaging, including cleaning, grading, roasting, popping and flavouring.

The ₹20 crore commitment extends beyond manufacturing to cover sourcing, product development, marketing and branding, supply chain and exports. The investment is intended to build the capabilities needed to scale the category over the coming years.

Sourcing is central to this strategy. Khetika sources 100% Mithila Makhana directly from farmers in Bihar, including the regions of Purnia, Katihar, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi and Madhubani. Establishing a dedicated processing facility in Patna brings processing closer to the source, enabling better control over handling, quality and freshness while strengthening traceability across the value chain. The investment also supports Bihar’s local economy by creating employment opportunities and building economic activity around the region’s Makhana ecosystem. The Makhana is roasted and hand-popped by farmers before reaching the Khetika facility, combining traditional expertise with a more controlled downstream processing system. Khetika also plans to establish a SAATHI Centre in the sourcing region to strengthen farmer engagement and intends to align with existing government initiatives supporting the Makhana ecosystem.

Commenting on the launch, Dr. Prithwi Singh, Co-founder & CEO, Khetika, said, “We want to give Makhana the scale and recognition it deserves. For us, this is about taking an ingredient rooted in the Mithila region and making it a part of everyday snacking for consumers across India and, over time, international markets. At Khetika, we believe clean food should be accessible across everyday consumption occasions, not limited to what people eat during their main meals. Snacking is a natural next step in this journey, and Makhana gives us an opportunity to bring together a familiar ingredient, great taste and greater transparency. By investing in dedicated capabilities across sourcing, manufacturing and product development, we are building the foundation to grow the category and take Mithila Makhana to a wider audience.”

Khetika estimates the Indian Makhana market at ₹10,000 crore and aims to capture a 5% share within the next three years, translating to a business ambition of ₹500 crore. Makhana is expected to contribute about 20% of Khetika’s overall revenue.

Beyond India, Khetika sees an opportunity to take Mithila Makhana to international markets, including the US, Europe and the Middle East. Its long-term ambition is to build a globally relevant snacking proposition around an ingredient deeply rooted in Bihar’s agricultural and culinary heritage, while remaining true to its vision of “Clean Food for All”.

About Khetika:

Founded by Dr. Prithwi Singh, Darshan Krishnamurthy and Raghuveer Allada, Khetika is one of India’s largest and fast-growing clean and healthy food brands, committed to transforming the way the country eats. Built on the core principles of zero preservatives, nutrient-retaining stone-ground processing, and single authentic origin sourcing, the brand offers a wide range of products, including dosa batters, spices, and healthy snacking options such as dry fruits and makhana developed through strong clean food R&D and continuous product innovation, while staying rooted in traditional food practices.