In a country where food is deeply tied to culture and tradition, few ingredients hold as much reverence as ghee. Considered sacred in Indian kitchens and rituals alike, ghee has transitioned from its homemade roots to become a multi-billion packaged food segment. India, the world’s largest dairy producer, is witnessing a steady rise in packaged ghee consumption, driven by increasing health awareness, convenience, and trust in branded offerings. Valued at over ₹3,400 crore, the ghee industry is projected to grow at a healthy CAGR of 8–10% in the coming years, according to IMARC Group.
While the market has seen the entry of several large brands, it’s those rooted in authenticity, consumer trust and product integrity that continue to lead with confidence. One such name that has become synonymous with trust, taste, and tradition is GRB Dairy Foods.
“I started this journey when I was just 13,” shares G.R. Balasubramaniam, the soft spoken and charismatic Founder and Managing Director of GRB Dairy Foods. “I joined my sister’s family business in Bengaluru, going door-to-door selling butter.” But the young entrepreneur quickly noticed butter’s limitations, namely its perishability. “It had to be sold by the 15th of every month. That’s when I realized converting it into ghee would extend its life and allow for better planning,” he recalls.
What began as a home-based venture soon turned into something far bigger. By the early 1990s, Balasubramaniam had branded his bottled ghee with his own initials – GRB, and laid the foundation for a distributor-based FMCG model. The real turning point came in 1999 with the establishment of a factory in Hosur. By 2004, GRB had gone global, exporting to markets like Singapore and Malaysia.
Today, GRB is India’s most widely distributed ghee brand, with a presence in over 40 countries and annual revenues exceeding ₹1,200 crore. But its growth story hasn’t compromised its core values. “At GRB, we are committed to preserving the legacy of purity and the authentic, homemade flavour that earned consumer trust in the first place,” says Balasubramaniam.
This balance of tradition and innovation is key to GRB’s enduring success. From developing granulated ghee – designed to mirror the taste and texture of homemade ghee – to pioneering the Aroma Retention Pack (ARP) that locks in freshness, GRB has always looked ahead. “We’ve invested in world-class facilities and quality systems including NABL-certified labs, ISO, HACCP, and FSSAI compliance, to ensure consistency across every pack,” he adds.
GRB’s diversification strategy has also paid off. Under its umbrella are product lines such as instant mixes, ethnic sweets, masalas, and South Indian snacks under the popular Town Bus brand. All products are built on the same promise of quality, purity, and authenticity.
“What sets us apart is the emotional connect consumers have with our ghee. The granulation, the aroma – it’s what people associate with homemade, with care,” he says. But he’s equally focused on the future. “Our R&D is constantly working on new formats and variants. We’re strengthening our presence in markets like Odisha and West Bengal, and internationally, we’ve started manufacturing in Poland to cater to Europe and the UK. We’re also scaling exports to Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and North America.”
Technology is playing a key role too. GRB is ramping up automation and expanding its direct-to-consumer channels through e-commerce partnerships, making it easier for new-age consumers to access traditional products. From the alleys of Bengaluru to supermarket shelves across continents, GRB’s journey is a testament to the power of intuition, integrity, and innovation. And as the Indian ghee industry steps into a new era of global growth and evolving tastes, GRB is poised to remain a trusted name at the heart of every kitchen.