A year of mega food deals and shows

As we close the last print issue of 2025, it has been an eventful year for IndifoodBev and the food industry as a whole, with developments and events across India – including our own maiden FoodTekPack Conference, which was a resounding success.

A few major recurring themes emerge from 2025 — sustainability, food loss, and climate change — as we report in this issue. Food loss and waste were the cross-sectoral focus of the FoodTekPack Conference, held in Greater Noida in December.

India’s food industry is estimated to be around Rs 86 lakh crore or US$ 950 billion, roughly 20% of its GDP of US$ 4 trillion. Food loss and waste are as high as 75 million tons or 51 kilograms per capita per year (UNEP’s Food Waste Report 2024).

Global food loss and waste contribute to 10% of climate change. Around 40% of food produced is either lost or wasted, implying that 24% of the global calories are wasted annually. The urgent need and most lucrative opportunity for the industry – from farm to fork – is to find ways and means to reduce food waste, which can feed millions. And that was precisely the focus of the FoodTekPack Conference.

Meanwhile, a new report points out how food waste is a ‘bio-economic’ asset waiting to be tapped. A national strategy on food loss and waste, with clearer targets, data, and coordination between ministries, is needed, it says. It points to food waste valorization, which means converting inedible or unavoidable waste into products such as biogas, fertilizers, biofuels, animal feed, bioplastics, and nutraceuticals—turning what was once discarded into something of value.

At the FoodTekPack conference, startups promoted a circular food economy by converting farm rejects, such as an odd-shaped pumpkin or carrot leaves or twin onions, into dips and spreads, and global processing leaders highlighted food processing innovations that can convert underutilized or discarded side streams into safe, functional, and commercially viable food ingredients.

As the newest analysis from the World Food Programme warns, even a 1°C rise in global temperature can sharply increase hunger levels worldwide, pushing millions of people into acute food insecurity and amplifying existing crises driven by conflict and economic pressures. According to the WFP report, a simultaneous 1°C warming across 45 countries would raise the number of acutely food insecure people from 252 million to 322 million—an increase of about 70 million.

Another report reconfirms that India’s agriculture is under mounting strain as escalating temperatures threaten to undermine crop yields, food systems, livestock productivity, and rural livelihoods. The Asia-Pacific Disaster Report 2025 identifies Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh as the five countries consistently at high risk of agricultural heat stress.

In a new flagship report, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) also warns that feeding a projected 10 billion people by 2050 will demand bolder and smarter decisions in managing the world’s land, soil, and water. Expanding agricultural areas, it says, is no longer a viable option, as these natural resources are finite.

A vibrant industry

On the brighter side, the numerous food-related shows such as drinktec, Anuga, Brews and Spirits we attended across the year, particularly in the last quarter, point to the vibrancy of India’s down-to-earth and brick-and-mortar industry becoming the key to a sustainable economy. India’s food sector saw a flurry of deals as investors — both domestic and global — poured capital into promising consumer brands, and early investors cashed out with substantial returns.

Reliance Consumer Products acquired a majority stake in Chennai-based Udhaiyams Agro Foods; Tilaknagar Industries purchased the Imperial Blue whisky brand from France’s Pernod Ricard; Singapore’s Wilmar International acquired a stake in AWL Agri Business; and Temasek, IHC and Alpha Wave Global purchased minority stakes in Haldiram Snacks Food.

Vixar acquired a significant minority stake in homegrown dessert and waffle chain The Belgian Waffle, while Orkla India, part of Norwegian consumer goods group Orkla, is scouting further acquisitions in India to expand its portfolio.

India’s organic food exports, steadily declining over the previous four years due to sluggish global demand, trade uncertainties, and certification challenges, showed signs of recovery in FY 2024–25, according to government data.

2026 begins on a promising note with two mega shows – the IndusFood F&B trade show, and the food processing technology exhibition IndusFood Manufacturing – in January in Delhi-NCR. IndiFoodBev is present at both shows to bring you the latest updates and insights from the food industry. So, the circular food economy rolls on!