With the festive season of Deepavali on the horizon, Hyderabad’s passion for sugary treats remains as strong as ever. A recent LocalCircles survey, gathering over 84,000 responses from 303 districts nationwide, reveals that nearly three-quarters of households in the city enjoy sweets multiple times a month. This local trend perfectly reflects a broader increase in sugar consumption and diverse sweet preferences observed across urban India.
Specifically in Hyderabad, where 8,830 residents contributed to the study, the findings are quite telling. A notable 7% of households enjoy traditional Indian sweets daily. Furthermore, 24% consume them between 15 and 30 times a month, while 32% indulge eight to 15 times. Another 14% partake in sweets three to seven times monthly, and a mere 4% report no sweet consumption whatsoever.
The city’s fondness for packaged sweets – including cakes, biscuits, ice creams, shakes, chocolates, and candies – is even more pronounced. A significant 13% of respondents reported consuming these items daily, with 28% indulging 15 to 30 times a month, 21% doing so eight to 15 times, and 22% enjoying them three to seven times monthly.
A significant portion of Hyderabad’s population appears to be grappling with sugar addiction. The survey found that 15% of households reported everyone in their family being addicted to sugar or sugary products, and another 18% estimated addiction among half to three-quarters of their family members. Interestingly, 26% stated no one in their household showed signs of addiction. This widespread dependence, however, doesn’t negate a desire for change; 21% of respondents confirmed they would ‘for sure’ switch to products with 30% less sugar if available, while an additional 18% indicated a ‘high likelihood’ of doing so.
These trends in Hyderabad are not isolated; national data from the LocalCircles survey mirrors this pervasive sweet preference across urban India. The survey revealed that 74% of urban Indian households consume traditional Indian sweets at least three times a month, with 5% indulging daily – a striking 40% increase compared to the 2024 survey. Similarly, 79% of households consume packaged sweet foods three or more times monthly, and 11% do so daily. This clearly illustrates that both traditional and modern sugary delights are deeply embedded in urban consumption habits.
Furthermore, the national survey indicated a strong consumer demand for healthier options, with 70% of urban households ‘highly likely’ to switch to products containing 30% less sugar. This signals a clear opportunity for brands to innovate with health-conscious offerings. Despite this, a concerning 43% of respondents admitted that most members of their households are addicted to sugar or sugary products.