Agarbatti Business in India – Process, Profit & Cost Guide

"Learn how to start an agarbatti business at home in India. Explore the agarbatti making process, setup cost, and profit potential for beginners."

Agarbatti Business
author-image
Anjali Singh

7 mins read

Published: 3 October 2025

Updated: 3 October 2025

The agarbatti business in India has been growing over the years. Incense sticks are an important part of our daily lives. You use them for prayers and religious rituals. So there is always a demand for them. You can start this business with a small investment. You just need a simple production process, and you can enjoy good profits. This makes it a great opportunity for you as an entrepreneur.

Let's explore how you start an agarbatti business and how you can get funding for your business.

Why Start an Agarbatti Business?

Starting an agarbatti business can be profitable and rewarding for you. Here is why you go for it:

  • High Demand: Incense sticks are used daily. You see them in households, temples, offices, and yoga centres. You can see a big increase in sales during festivals and religious events.
  • Low Initial Investment: You can start with a small setup at home. You just need to invest as little as ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh.
  • Flexible Business Scale: You can first start a business at home. Later on, you can increase your scale to a larger manufacturing unit.
  • Profit Potential: Agarbatti business profit can range between 15 and 35%. It depends on the quality, packaging, and distribution channels.

If you plan the right strategy and marketing, you can get a steady income from this business. It can also grow well when you have a good distribution connection.

Agarbatti Making Process

The agarbatti making process is straightforward but requires attention to quality. Here is what you should follow:

1. Raw Materials Required

  • Bamboo sticks: They can serve as the base for the incense.
  • Charcoal powder or wood powder: It gives you a structure to the incense paste.
  • Jiggery or natural gum: It acts as a binding agent.
  • Essential oils or fragrance powders: They give your sticks an aroma.
  • Colour powders: They are optional. You can use them for coloured sticks.

2. Preparation of Paste

  • First, you mix charcoal or wood powder with jiggery or gum and water.
  • Then you need to knead it into a smooth and consistent paste.
  • You can add fragrance oils or powders. It is according to the desired scent.

3. Rolling the Sticks

  • Take the bamboo sticks and you need to coat them gently with the prepared paste. Make sure you roll them carefully so the paste sticks well.
  • Make sure the coating spreads evenly. Keep the sticks straight while doing it.
  • This step can be done manually or with semi-automatic rolling machines for higher efficiency.

4. Drying

  • Spread the coated sticks in a ventilated area.
  • Dry them for 12 to 24 hours. It depends on humidity and sunlight.
  • You need to dry the sticks properly. This helps them burn evenly and stay intact.

5. Packaging

  • You need to sort and bundle sticks into packets. It is usually 10 to 50 sticks per packet.
  • You can increase your sales by using attractive packaging. It makes your product more appealing to customers.
  • Include branding and fragrance information to distinguish your product.

This method is suitable for both home setups and small-scale manufacturing units.

Investment & Cost per Kg

The cost of starting your agarbatti business depends on how big you want it to be. Here is a rough idea of the expenses you might face.

Expense Head

Estimated Cost (₹)

Bamboo sticks (per kg)

400 to 500

Raw materials (powder, gum, oil)

800 to 1,200

Machinery (roller, dryer, etc.)

50,000 to 70,000

Packaging materials

5,000 to 10,000

Miscellaneous expenses

5,000 to 10,000

Total Investment

60,000 to 1,00,000

You can start a small setup at home with just a little money. Later, you can grow it into a bigger production unit by investing in machines.

Agarbatti Business Profit & Profit Calculation

The profit in the agarbatti business is substantial due to low production costs and high demand. Let’s go through a sample calculation so you can understand it better. This will make it easier for you to see how it works:

  • Cost of manufacturing agarbatti: ₹1,200 for 1 kg
  • Selling price of agarbatti: ₹1,600 for 1kg
  • Profit per kilogram: ₹400
  • Monthly production: ₹20,000 profit for 50 kg

You can earn more money from your agarbatti business. You can improve your packaging, sell branded products, and you can reach more customers. You should have smart marketing. It can help you to make a 20 to 35% profit margin.

How to Start Agarbatti Business at Home

Starting your business at home keeps your costs low. It makes it easier for you to manage production. You just need to know a few important things to get started:

  • Space Requirement: You can use a small room or a balcony as your manufacturing area. Make sure that it has proper ventilation for drying the sticks you use.
  • Raw Material Procurement: You can start by buying small quantities from local suppliers. You can switch to buying in bulk to save money when your business grows.
  • Manual or Semi-Automatic Production: Manual rolling costs you less. But it takes more time when you do it. Using semi-automatic machines can help you work faster. You will also get more consistent results.
  • Packaging and Branding: You can use simple and attractive packaging. It can increase your market appeal.
  • Sales Channels: You can sell your agarbatti through local shops or online marketplaces. You can also offer them at religious stores and fairs.

Starting at home gives you flexibility. It can also help you to reduce financial risk.

Agarbatti Business Plan

A clear business plan helps you with growth and funding. The important elements you should include:

  • Product Differentiation: You can try making unique fragrances. You can also create eco-friendly sticks.
  • Distribution Channels: You can sell in local shops and online platforms. You can also distribute in wholesale markets.
  • Marketing Strategy: You can use social media to promote your business. Festive offers can attract more people to your company. You can also try local advertising to reach nearby customers.
  • Scaling Up: You can invest in machinery and expand your production.
  • Financial Planning: You can estimate how much the business will cost you every month. You can also work out how much money you will earn. This helps you see the profit margins clearly.

You need a clear plan to move in the right direction. It also makes it easier for you to grow your business smoothly.

Agarbatti Business for Sale

If starting from scratch feels challenging, you can also buy an existing agarbatti business for sale. Consider these points carefully:

  • You need to check how much you can produce. And you should also look at the type of customers you have. See if your business is making a good profit.
  • You can compare the cost of buying an existing unit with starting a new one.
  • Buying an established business can save time and provide immediate revenue streams.

Government Loans and Support for Agarbatti Business

Funding is crucial to grow your agarbatti venture. The Indian government and fintech platforms provide multiple options:

  • Mudra Loan: For small business units, including home-based agarbatti production.
  • MSME Schemes: Financial support, machinery subsidy, and working capital loans.

Need capital to start your agarbatti unit? Apply for a Business Loan with My Mudra today. We give you hassle-free funding for your venture. Our loans make it easy for you to start small and expand your business over time. With My Mudra, you do not have to strain your finances.

Conclusion

The agarbatti business has high demand. It does not need a big investment. You can start it from home or set up a small area. You can start with careful planning and good-quality production. This way, you can make it profitable. You can turn your incense stick idea into a successful business with My Mudra’s easy loans. Watch your small venture grow into a profitable enterprise.

Also Read:
- 25 Low Cost Business Ideas with High Profit in India (2025)
- Most Successful Small Business Ideas in India

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the agarbatti making process I should follow? +

You will need raw materials. Use bamboo sticks, charcoal, gum, and fragrance oils. You mix these together to make a paste and you coat the paste on the sticks. After that, you let them dry. Then you pack and sell them.

How much does it cost for me to start an agarbatti business? +

A home-based setup can cost you between ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh. It depends on the machinery, raw materials, and packaging you use.

What is the average profit in the agarbatti business? +

You can usually earn a profit of 15 to 35%. It depends on various factors. They can be on how big your business is, the quality of your products, and how you market them.

Can I start an agarbatti business at home? +

Yes. You can start with a small space. You can use manual production and local sales before you expand into machinery and larger markets.

How can I get funding for my agarbatti business? +

You can apply for various loans. They can be Mudra loans, MSME schemes, or a business loan. You can do this through My Mudra.

Is it better to buy an existing agarbatti business or start a new one? +

If you buy an existing business, you can start earning money right away. When you start a new you get to decide the brand and how your products are made. The option you choose depends on your budget and what you want to achieve.

Share:

author-image
Anjali Singh Assistant Manager
Linkedin-Logo

Hey there, I'm Anjali Singh. With over 6 years of experience in finance, I specialize in creating content on banking, loans, and financial planning. My goal is to simplify complex financial topics and help readers make informed decisions through my articles.

💬 Comments

Leave a comment or ask a question!

VIEW ALL BLOGS