Maliban Partners with Reliance Consumer Products to Enter Indian FMCG Market

Maliban Group of Companies, one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic heritage brands, announced a landmark strategic partnership with Reliance Consumer Products Ltd. (RCPL), a subsidiary of Reliance Retail and a fast-growing player in India’s consumer sector.

This collaboration marks Maliban’s formal entry into the Indian market, positioning the company not merely as an exporter but as a mainstream regional brand. At the same time, it reflects Reliance’s commitment to diversify and premiumise its FMCG portfolio with trusted heritage names.

The partnership stands out for its alliance-based structure. Rather than an acquisition, it is built on shared innovation and long-term regional value creation. It combines Maliban’s seven-decade expertise in biscuit manufacturing and product development with Reliance’s unmatched retail presence, manufacturing scale, and consumer intelligence. This model is seen as a blueprint for cross-border brand integration in South Asia.

Speaking on the significance of the partnership, T. Krishnakumar, Director of Reliance Consumer Products, said, “Maliban brings with it a premium heritage and differentiated product portfolio that complements our vision. Together, we are curating a new FMCG ecosystem that reflects both tradition and transformation.”

For Maliban, the move represents a defining milestone in its regional expansion journey. With products already exported to over 40 countries, the entry into India enables the brand to scale in South Asia’s largest consumer market, home to more than 1.4 billion people.

Kumudika Fernando, Chairperson and Group Managing Director of Maliban, commented, “Maliban has been part of Sri Lankan households for over 70 years. This partnership with Reliance enables us to carry that same trust and quality into India on a scale never before possible. Our vision is not only to grow in India but to set a new standard for South Asian collaboration in the FMCG space.”

The structure of the alliance ensures that Maliban retains its brand identity while Reliance accelerates its market penetration through distribution, retail reach, and consumer insights. This balance between scale and authenticity is designed to deliver premium quality at accessible price points.

Adding further perspective, Ravi Jayawardena, Group CEO of Maliban, stated, “This is a carefully structured business alliance, designed to leverage Reliance’s strengths in scale and reach while preserving Maliban’s unique identity. The roadmap ahead includes localized manufacturing, product innovation tailored to Indian consumers, and supply chain integration that ensures speed, efficiency, and sustainability.”

As a pioneer in the Sri Lankan biscuit industry for over 70 years, Maliban continues to innovate and expand its reach globally. This partnership with Reliance marks another milestone in its journey to becoming a regionally rooted, globally relevant FMCG brand.

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