§1What this business is
Popcorn kernels are heated until they burst, then salted, flavoured or caramel-coated and packed in moisture-proof pouches. The small KVIC unit uses a popcorn machine, pan, mixer and packing machine; the larger Samadhan plant has a popper, cooling tumbler, seasoning machine, caramelizer and pouch packing machine.
Capacity: KVIC: 1,090 quintals a year. Samadhan: 300 kg a day, 90,000 kg a year (year 1 at 50%).
§2Is it right for you?
Who it is for
Someone who can sell snacks to shops, cinemas, schools and events in their area.
Who it is not for
Someone who cannot build distribution — this is a selling business as much as a making one.
Advantages
- Popular snack; packed ready-to-eat popcorn is growing in shops
- Maize is grown widely in India
- Many flavours from one line
- A small start is possible with the KVIC model
Drawbacks
- Big snack brands hold most shelf space
- Popcorn goes stale fast if the pouch is poor
- Profit depends on building a brand and distribution
- Maize kernel prices move with the season
Skills you need
- Popping and coating control
- Food hygiene
- Moisture-proof pouch packing
- Retail distribution
Why difficulty 2/5: Easy process; selling against big brands is the hard part.
§3Market
Who buys
- Kirana and general stores
- Cinemas, fairs and events
- Schools and canteens
How it sells
- Distributors
- Direct supply to retailers
- Online
Good to know
- The Samadhan report cites a global popcorn market projected at $15 billion by 2023.
- It sells popcorn at ₹160 per kg in year 1, rising ₹5 a year.
§4Raw material & machinery
| Item | Qty | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Popcorn machine, pan, mixer, packing machine | 1 lot | ₹1,65,000 |
| Popcorn popper | 1 | — |
| Conveyor and Z conveyor | 1 each | — |
| Cooling tumbler | 1 | — |
| Masala seasoning machine | 1 | — |
| Online dryer with vibro dryer | 1 | — |
| Slurry kettle and caramelizer | 1 each | — |
| Pouch packaging machine | 1 | — |
| Air compressor and weighing scale | 1 each | — |
| Full Samadhan machine set (all of the above) | 1 set | ₹15 lakh (approx., excluding transport and set-up) |
From: KVIC Project Profile — Popcorn Manufacturing Unit (PMEGP) · PMEGP sample project report — Popcorn (prepared by Udyami/Samadhan)
- Maize (makka), ghee, salt₹12.00 L a year in the KVIC profile
- Corn kernels, oil, salt and spices₹90–140 per kg average raw material cost in the Samadhan report; projections use ₹90 per kg in year 1
- Moisture-proof pouches and corrugated outer cartonsfor packing and bulk transport
From: KVIC Project Profile — Popcorn Manufacturing Unit (PMEGP) · PMEGP sample project report — Popcorn (prepared by Udyami/Samadhan)
In our raw material database
§5Licences & registration
- FSSAI licence or registration
- Udyam registration
- GST
- Legal Metrology registration for packed goods
- Trademark for the brand
§6Schemes & subsidies
- PMEGPCentralActive15–35% subsidy
- PMFMECentralUnclear35% subsidy, up to ₹10 lakh
- MudraCentralActiveLoan up to ₹20 lakh, no collateral
- CGTMSECentralActiveNo collateral, up to ₹10 crore
- CM YUVAUPActiveUp to ₹5 lakh, interest-free
The ₹4.28 L KVIC unit fits CM-YUVA (UP) or MUDRA; both sizes fit PMEGP and PMFME (food processing); CGTMSE for the larger plant.
§7Money
How the investment is worked out: KVIC profile ₹4.28 L: shed 500 sq ft ₹1.00 L + equipment ₹1.65 L + working capital ₹1.63 L. Samadhan report ₹24.56 L: shed 800 sq ft ₹3.00 L + plant & machinery ₹15.00 L + furniture ₹1.00 L + working capital ₹5.56 L.
Working capital: KVIC: ₹1.63 L. Samadhan: ₹5.56 L (bank ₹5 L), with 15 days of finished goods and 10 days of raw material.
The KVIC profile has no year; the Samadhan report quotes market data for 2017–2023 — check current machinery prices.
§8Export potential
Confirm the HS code in the DGFT ITC(HS) lookup before you export
Export council / board: APEDA
- HS codes are from the WCO HS 2022 list; confirm the 8-digit ITC(HS) line with DGFT or your customs broker.
- You need an Import Export Code (IEC) from DGFT before the first shipment.
§9Risks — where people fail
- Stale or soggy product coming back
- Price competition from big brands
- Rise in kernel prices
- Food safety lapses
§1030 / 60 / 90-day plan
A general plan that applies to any business. A plan for this business will be added after research.
- Days 1–30: Visit a working popcorn making unit, ask 10 buyers about price and quantity, and get quotations from 3 suppliers.
- Days 31–60: Udyam and the licences you need (FSSAI licence or registration, Udyam registration), a project report (DPR), and the scheme or loan file.
- Days 61–90: Space and machines, trial production, and first deliveries to 10 customers.
§11Who to connect with
Associations, clusters and training institutes — the directory is being built. Connect
§12Watch
There is no episode on this business yet. Shows are coming soon on the Podcast page.
Want to start Popcorn Making?
DPR, loan file or registration — ask us on WhatsApp.
¶Sources
- KVIC Project Profile — Popcorn Manufacturing Unit (PMEGP)
- PMEGP sample project report — Popcorn (prepared by Udyami/Samadhan)
Data review: 6 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Report it. For information only — not legal or financial advice.