Modi's Melody gift to Meloni hands Parle a viral global push, Italy eyed as next market

PM Modi's surprise gift of Parle's Melody toffees to Italian PM Giorgia Meloni in Rome has gone viral, handing the Mumbai-based Parle Products an unplanned brand boost. VP Mayank Shah flags Italy as the next big market; Melody already sells in 100+ countries. Parle-G maker is also exploring an IPO.

— Source publishedWed, 20 May, 2026, 13:35 IST·First seen Wed, 20 May, 2026, 13:45 IST·Source CNBC-TV18 · Retail

What happened

Parle Products · PM Modi gifted Parle's Melody toffees to Italian PM Meloni in Rome, going viral and boosting the brand. Parle VP Mayank Shah sees Italy as next

Key facts

  • 100 countries
  • 1929
  • 1970s

Why this matters

Italian and broader EU confectionery distributors, co-packers, and shelf-space partners are the immediate targets—lock in exclusive or preferred arrangements now to ride the Melody recognition wave before competitors reframe the category.