Annapoorna Foodtech showcases India’s food processing & consumer evolution

The 17th edition of FICCI’s Annapoorna Interfood Exhibition, held from 11 to 13 November in Mumbai, highlighted India’s growing prowess in food processing and its potential to transform agriculture, rural livelihoods, and consumer experiences.

Speaking at the inauguration, Avinash Joshi, secretary, ministry of food processing industries (MoFPI), called the event “a window into the potential of India’s food processing industry.” He emphasized that as agricultural productivity rises, India must strengthen its processing, value-addition, and food-safety infrastructure to ensure both farmers and consumers benefit.

“Through policy support, subsidies, and credible regulation, we aim to ensure this sector flourishes—for everyone,” Joshi said.

The three-day exhibition, organized by FICCI in collaboration with MoFPI, drew participation from leading food-processing companies, buyers, and trade professionals representing more than 17 countries, including delegations from Africa, Europe, the UAE, the US, and Australia.

Joshi highlighted flagship government schemes such as the PM Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) and PMFME Scheme (Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises), which provide financial support ranging from 35-50% for setting up cold-chain facilities, incubation centers, and food-processing units. He noted that special incentives and seed funding are helping self-help groups, especially women-led ones, to enter the processing ecosystem.

“Through these programs, we are not just processing produce, we are transforming rural livelihoods, boosting employment, and offering consumers better quality and diverse products,” he added.

The event spotlighted evolving consumption trends. Nandini Roy Chowdhury, principal consultant at Future Market Insights, presented an industry report on the rise of Gen Z consumers. She said Gen Z demands transparency and authenticity from brands and is driving growth in sectors such as domestic kitchen appliances—projected to grow from US$ 32.1 billion in 2027 to US$ 50 billion by 2035.

“For Gen Z, transparency isn’t a value-add—it’s the bare minimum. They want to know where products come from and how they impact the world,” Nandini observed.

Adding a state-level perspective, Rajesh Rathod, executive director, Madhya Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation (MPIDC), said his state is fast emerging as a preferred destination for food-processing units due to improved infrastructure and connectivity.

Balvinder Singh Sawhney, assistant secretary-general, FICCI, underscored the importance of such platforms in the post-pandemic era. “The pandemic accelerated demand for convenience, quality, and safety. Annapoorna reconnects the value chain—producers, processors, regulators, and buyers—fostering innovation and growth,” he said.

Ashwani Pande, CEO of VA Exhibitions, reaffirmed Annapoorna’s role as one of India’s most established food-processing showcases. The exhibition, he noted, not only features emerging products but also provides valuable insights into processing standards, food safety norms under FSSAI, and export protocols guided by APEDA.

Now in its 17th year, FICCI’s Annapoorna Interfood continues to be a premier platform spotlighting India’s evolving food ecosystem—bridging farmers, innovators, policymakers, and global markets under one roof.

(This information has been processed from a PIB release)