1st November 2009

The Food Processing industry in India is one of the largest in terms of production, consumption and exports growth.   The Food industry is estimated to be worth over $200 billion and would grow to $310 billion by 2015.  

Though the industry is large in size, it is still at a nascent stage in terms of development. Of the country's total agriculture and food produce, only 2 per cent is processed. The highest share of processed food is in the dairy sector,  where 37 per cent of the total produce is processed, of this only 15 per cent is processed by the organized sector.

Mr S Sivakumar, Chairman, Foodpro 2009 said that the food processing Industry assumes greater significance for India's development because of the vital linkages and synergies that it promotes between the two pillars of the economy, namely Industry and Agriculture.  To harness the value-creating potential of food processing sector, superior market mechanism and infrastructure are required to be created.  More private sector investments is required in the areas of infrastructure especially in warehousing, cold chain and logistics in order to harness the full potential of the Indian food processing sector, he added.

Mr. Suresh Saraf, Managing Director, Saraf Foods Ltd, an exhibitor at Foodpro 2009 said that the domestic market is growing and the need for processed food is also increasing which is doing a lot of good to the food processing market. The slowdown didn't really affect this market thought it had some affect on exports, he added.

TTK Healthcare Ltd,  participating at  Foodpro 2009 in the processed food segment  showcased  innovations such as; potato based and multi-grain cereal based snack,  pellets with built in spices with onion and garlic flavor to suit the Indian palate. Spokesperson at TTK Healthcare said that processed food market is growing rapidly and there is a tremendous potential for growth.