India Foodex 2013 aims high

FOODEX India is the country’s main platform for local and foreign participants to launch new products and  services. Last  year, it attracted participation from manufacturers of food, processing and packaging machinery, as well as allied industries, from 24 countries.

Now on its fifth year, the international exhibition is scheduled from 23 to 25 August 2013, at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC). The fair is being held together with the 4th edition of GrainTech India 2013, and the DairyTech India 2013, and 2nd Poultry & Livestock Expo 2013.

The event is supported by The Solvent Extractors’ Association of India; All India Food Processors’ Association; Coffee Board; the Roller Flour Mills Federation of India; Spices Board India; The Soyabean Processors’ Association  of  India; All India Rice Exporters’ Association, Indian Oilseeds and Produce Export Promotion Council, CLFMA of India; Indian Biscuits Manufacturers’ Association, and many other associations. 

The local industry

India ranks as the world’s second largest producer of food, next to China. The total valuation of the food processing industry is expected to reach $194 billion by 2015 from a value of $121 billion in 2012. The net export of processed food is expected to surpass the present value of $43 billion, although currently India’s share in international food trade is insignificant.

The food sector has the potential to become a reliable outsourcing partner, given its strength in the primary food segment. The food processing sector employs 13 million, and another 35 million are indirectly employed. Moreover, Indian food brands are rapidly finding prime shelf space in the retail chains across US and Europe.

Prospects are high particularly in canning,  packaging,  refrigeration for dairy,  poultry, fisheries, meat,  ready-to-eat products, cereals and grains, soft drinks, mineral water, consumer product groups like confectionery, chocolates, coco products, soya-based products, and high protein foods, as well as nutraceuticals, health food, and health food supplements.

Government support

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has prepared Vision  2015, targeting an increased level of processing of perishables from 6% to 20%.

Moreover, the government has allowed 51% foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail. This decision, which is part of a spate of economic reforms, has been described as a step forward to open the retail sector into the country. The domestic industry hopes that the new economic reforms would change the international market’s perception of India and contribute positively on its sovereign rating. The government has also approved proposals for joint ventures, foreign collaboration, industrial  licenses  and  100%  EOUs expecting an investment of Rs 19,100 crore ($4.80 billion) during the Twelfth Five-Year Plan period. Out of this, foreign investment is over  Rs 9,100  crore  ($2.2  billion). International  brands in food segment are readily available in Indian markets and they include the multinational Hindustan Unilever, American Garden (US), Agnesi Pasta (Italy), Dana jam and butter cookies (Denmark), Kikkoman sauces (Japan), Olicoop Spanish olives, Ong’s oriental food and sauces (Singapore/China), beverages from UK, chocolates and confectionery (Germany), buttertoffees (Argentina), salad dressings, mayonnaise and mustard oil (Holland), canned seafood and canned vegetables (Australia), sparkling grape juice (France), amongst others.

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