Khaini is the type of smokeless tobacco made from cured tobacco leaves. It may be sweetened and flavored with licorice and other substances. It comes in the form of loose tobacco leaves, pellets or “bits” (leaf tobacco rolled into small pellets), plugs (leaf tobacco pressed and held together with some type of sweetener), or twists (leaf tobacco rolled into rope-like strands and twisted). It is placed in the mouth, usually between the cheek and lower lip, and may be chewed. Chewing tobacco contains nicotine and many chemicals. Also called spit tobacco.
Use of a mixture of sun-dried tobacco and slaked lime, known in some areas as khaini, Sada, Surti in India and Nepal, Khaini in Bangladesh, is widespread in Maharashtra and several states of North India, Bangladesh and Tarai belt of Nepal. A regular khaini user may carry a double-ended metal container, one side of which is filled with tobacco and the other with slightly moistened slaked lime.
The tobacco production and its allied products' sales in the country have played a prominent role in the development of nation's economy. The smokeless tobacco has historically been served as a tradition in India for many decades. Presently, the smokeless tobacco is the largest tobacco product category in India. On account of the fact the majority of the Indian tobacco consuming population consumes beedis, snuff and smokeless tobacco, including gutka, khaini and zarda, the tobacco market is majorly held by chewing and beedi tobacco products.
The global smokeless tobacco market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.7% during the forecast period (2019 - 2024). The revenue forecast in 2025USD 22.24 billion. Chewing tobacco including loose leaf, plug, and roll forms is the fastest-growing segment with a CAGR of 8.1% from 2019 to 2025. Rising demand for chewing tobacco types among consumers due to their low and effective pricing is anticipated to boost the smokeless tobacco products' market growth. The market is also driven by the use of the product for a longer time interval than smoke products, which get finished in a few minutes. Moreover, the availability of various types such as a loose-leaf, twist, and plug, along with packaging types, is likely to fuel the growth of the segment over the forecast period.
The India chewing tobacco industry was estimated to expand at a high CAGR over the forecast period. Demand is anticipated to rise due to the adoption of products by women and the old age population in India. Women contribute to about 19.3% and 20% of the consumption of chewing tobacco products such as leaf and pan masala in Pakistan and India, respectively. As a whole any entrepreneur can venture in this project without risk and earn profit.
Few Indian major players are as under
Ashok & Company Pan Bahar Ltd
Baghban Packers Pvt. Ltd.
Ventures Pvt. Ltd.
Godfrey Phillips India Ltd.
Golden Tobacco Ltd.
Kothari Products Ltd.