Makhana (fox nut): India
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YEAR-WISE DEVELOPMENTS
As of 2025
Shruti Sonal, February 15, 2025: The Times of India
Makhana prices have zoomed as Indians go nuts about fox nuts but farmers in Bihar, who labour over harvesting and popping, say the profits are being pocketed by middlemen
In Bihar, makhanas (fox nuts) have seeped their way into festive cuisines, folk songs, community rituals, and more. Miles away from the state, however, Delhi boy Rishab Jain grew up not liking makhanas too much. Then, one day, he came back home craving a snack, and his house help tossed the makhanas with a mix of homemade spices. “It was an aha moment!” says the 33-year-old entrepreneur who went on to set up Mr Makhana.
Popular not only in India, but 15 other countries, his snack brand offers foxnuts in all kinds of flavours: peri peri, cream and onion, and even truffle and cheddar cheese, catering to a wide range of palettes. It’s part of the healthy snacks segment in India, which is growing 1.2 times faster than traditional snacks, as per a 2024 report by consumer research firm NielsenIQ. From makhana bhel to makhana pasta, dozens of products have flooded the market, offering people a healthier snack alternative. Dr Shweta Panchal, a Mumbai-based clinical nutritionist, extols its benefits. “Around 100gm of makhanas has close to 10gm of protein, but no cholesterol or fat. The fiber content is high too, along with good amounts of micronutrients like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus,” she says. As a result, everyone, from men looking to build muscles to pregnant women, can consume the new ‘superfood’. “It is fast becoming the new popcorn,” she adds.
