Shaping the future of food at Fi India & ProPak India 2025 

The 19th edition of Fi India, co-located with the 7th edition of ProPak India, concluded successfully from 3 to 5 September 2025 at India Expo Mart (IEML), Delhi. The shows brought together stakeholders from across the food ingredients, processing, packaging, and supply chain ecosystems, offering a dynamic platform for collaboration and innovation. With strong international participation, 340+ exhibitors, and over 15,000 professionals in attendance, the event facilitated high-value sourcing, partnerships, and investments. Reinforcing its position as a key enabler of growth, the platform continues to shape the future of one of the world’s fastest-growing F&B markets.

The  inauguration ceremony was attended by a panel of industry leaders and government representatives, including Prabodh Halde, chairman, Chamber for Advancement of Small and Medium Businesses; Dinkar B. Kamble, president, AFST Delhi; Nilesh Lele, president, Chamber for Advancement of Small and Medium Businesses; Hitesh Patel, chair, Ingredients and Extract Committee, Health Foods and Dietary Supplements Association (HADSA);  Umesh Kamble, secretary General Chamber For Advancement of Small and Medium Businesses (CASMB); Sagar Kurade, MD, Suman Project Consultants; Yogesh Mudras, managing director, Informa Markets in India and Rahul Deshpande, senior group director, Informa Markets in India.

Halde said India’s food processing and ingredient industry holds immense strategic importance in the current global geopolitical scenario, with the market already valued at $8–9 billion and steadily expanding. 

“Growth is being driven by Ayurveda, herbal, organic products, and initiatives such as FSSAI’s Aahara food standards, which emphasize actives and nutraceuticals. Unlike in 2006, when international participants dominated, today India’s presence has strengthened not only domestically but also across global platforms in Dubai, the UK, and beyond, reflecting the industry’s transformation. Strengthening food processing is critical, as it directly enhances farmer incomes—supporting nearly 68% of India’s population—and adds value through exports. Ingredients such as turmeric, exemplify the dual role of Indian spices in promoting both taste and health, contributing to lower rates of mortality during Covid and neurological disorders compared to global averages.” 

This evolution, Halde said, underlines the importance of platforms like Fi India, which have consistently partnered in the sector’s growth, enabling small and medium businesses, empowering farmers, and driving consumer well-being. With the 20th edition ahead, the industry is poised to build further on this remarkable journey with collective efforts under the vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.”

Hitesh Patel said India’s food and beverage industry has always held tremendous potential, and platforms like Fi India & ProPak India have been instrumental in unlocking it. Unlike the early 1990s and 2000s, when organized exhibitions were lacking, today such expos bring every stakeholder—from technology providers and packaging experts to ingredient suppliers and buyers—onto one platform, he said. 

“This convergence not only supports branding, marketing, and innovation but also empowers Indian entrepreneurs to compete confidently with global markets.”

Nilesh Lele said “Having been associated with Fi India for over a decade, both as the President of AFSJ Mumbai Chapter and later as the National President of the Association of Food Scientists and Technologists of India, it is encouraging to witness how this platform has consistently supported the food industry through conferences, seminars, and now the Fi Awards.”

Yogesh Mudras said “The Indian food processing sector is undergoing a transformative phase, driven by rising health consciousness, growing preference for organic and plant-based foods, and a notable shift in dietary patterns. With the organic food market projected to touch ₹75,000 crore by 2025, and a majority of consumers willing to pay a premium for healthier alternatives, the industry is seeing rapid expansion across fruits, vegetables, and plant-based offerings. Against this backdrop, Fi India & ProPak India serve as a catalyst for the industry—showcasing innovation, encouraging meaningful dialogue, and enabling businesses to align with the evolving needs of consumers. By facilitating knowledge exchange and spotlighting breakthroughs, it strengthens India’s position in the global food ecosystem while opening new avenues for value addition, exports, and employment generation.”

Comprehensive industry showcases

Fi India 2025 presented a deep cross-section of the ingredients value chain – flavors & colors; spices & herbs; essential oils; natural ingredients; sweeteners; protein-based ingredients & extracts—with leading companies including Brenntag Ingredients India, K.P. Manish Global Ingredients, Synthite Industries, Kerry Ingredients India, Symega Food Ingredients, IMCD India, Biospringer by Lesaffre, Plant Lipids, Azelis (India), Biomed Ingredients (P), Rettenmaier India, Sudeep Nutrition, and Novozymes South Asia. Top international exhibiting countries included the USA, Italy, Denmark, Poland, France, Brazil, Republic of Korea, Vietnam, Japan, and the UAE.

ProPak India 2025 was the India edition of the globally recognized ProPak exhibition series spanning Asia, Africa, and the Middle East—bringing international processing and packaging innovations to the Indian market while fostering global connections. Prominent exhibitors included Clearpack Automation, Glatt Systems, Goma Engineering, Harikrushna Machines, Konica Minolta, Prompt Equipments, SACMI, Starpac India , Wraptech Machines and more. The show featured 80+ exhibitors showcasing sustainable machinery, smart packaging solutions, and advanced processing technologies serving food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and household goods.

The events were supported by AFSTI (Association of Food Scientists & Technologists India), Delhi Chapter, CASMB, AIFPA (All India Food Processors’ Association), HADSA (Health Foods and Dietary Supplements Association), IBA (Indian Beverage Association), SIB ( Society of Indian Bakers), and ASPA (Authentication Solution Providers’ Association). At ProPak India, attendees explored the MSME Pavilion, leverage business matchmaking, experienced live demonstrations and product launches, and engaged with decision-makers from India and overseas.

Feature-rich experiences  

Fi India featured a diverse line-up of sessions covering critical themes across product development, nutrition, and innovation in the food and beverage sector. Day 1 witnessed discussions on the ‘Basics of product design and development’, ‘Selection of food ingredients’, ‘Regulatory aspects of additives’, and ‘Sensory analysis for new product development’. Expert-led sessions by BENEO and others focused on plant-based, prebiotic, and protein-enriched solutions, alongside insights into the utilization of insoluble dietary fibers for nutritional and functional attributes. Marketing strategies for innovative ingredients and products were explored, complemented by panel discussions hosted by HADSA on “Ingredients – the Backbone of Product Development and Efficacy” and on Novel food ingredients and their applications”.

Day 2 spotlighted the bakery sector with discussions on the ‘Versatility of palm oil’, ‘The structural and nutritional advantages of oil palm in meeting trans-fat regulations’, ‘Health trends in baking, innovative ingredients,’ and ‘The role of fortification in creating nutritious products’. Experts also highlighted ‘Strategies for setting up future-ready industrial bakeries and shared insights on healthy bread innovations’. Day 3 brought a sharper focus on entrepreneurship and investment, featuring a fireside chat with investors moderated by Mr. Prashant Naigaonkar, Partner, RampUp Advisory LLP, followed by Fund Quest organised by CASMB and RampUp Advisory LLP, connecting innovators with potential investors. The event featured a host of rich experiences and knowledge platforms that fostered learning, networking, and innovation within the food and beverage industry.  

Alongside these sessions, the event offered engaging experiences and knowledge-driven platforms such as the Global Trend Zone with Mintel, unveiling emerging consumer and regulatory insights, and the Innovative Product Showcase featuring breakthrough launches. Live culinary demonstrations, a comprehensive conference with 25+ expert speakers, and the Fi India Awards celebrating innovation and excellence further enriched learning, networking, and collaboration across the F&B ingredients ecosystem.

Day 1 of ProPak India featured a series of insightful sessions and panel discussions covering critical aspects of the food processing and packaging industry. The agenda included “A Brand’s Journey in Packaging: Design to Delivery” chaired by Bhagyashri Mhatre, founder, Food Monk Consultant, with perspectives from Snigdha Pandey (founder, Mooogly) and Garima Gupta (founder, Vedic Mix). Discussions further delved into ‘Processing Pressures: Building Adaptive Food Supply Chains’ and ‘Packaging Innovations for Ready-to-Eat and Frozen Foods: Balancing Shelf Life, Safety, and Appeal.’ A sponsored session by Becquer Energy, presented by Sankha Dip Datta (president, Industrial Business Development, Solar Hardware), highlighted ‘Reducing Operating Unit Costs for Packaging Production Through Robotic Solar Hardware.’

Carrying the momentum forward, Day 2  featured high-impact dialogues including ‘Empowering Brands, Protecting Consumers: Authentication & Traceability in Action,’ a panel on ‘Innovating Beyond Compliance: Technology’s Role in Meeting EPR and Packaging Regulations’ by Virendra Landge (director, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs, Coca-Cola India), and a session on ‘EPR: Encouraging Businesses to Rethink Packaging Design’ by Abhishek Garg (founder & CEO, A Gen). The day addressed industry challenges in ‘Impact of Tariff on the Food Processing Industry,’ fostering solutions for a more resilient and sustainable sector.

The third edition of the Fi India Awards was held in the after hours on Day 1 with the theme ‘Toast of Triumph – Honouring the Maestros of Food and Beverage Excellence’. The awards were set to recognize and celebrate outstanding achievements, innovations, and contributions that are shaping the future of food and beverage manufacturing in India. This year’s edition acknowledged excellence across diverse categories including Excellence in Packaging, Excellence in Product Rebranding, Excellence in Cold Chain Management, Health & Wellness Product of the Year, Outstanding Contribution to Food Safety, Excellence in Food Training & Education, Excellence in New Brand Launch, Excellence in Product Innovation, Excellence in Research & Development, Excellence in Sustainable Practices, and Start-up of the Year.

Industry growth & market insights

India’s food processing industry today stands as one of the largest globally, accounting for 32% of the nation’s total food market. It contributes nearly 14% of manufacturing GDP, 13% of exports, and 6% of total industrial investments, highlighting its pivotal role in the economy. According to a Deloitte–FICCI report, the sector contributes 7.7% to India’s overall manufacturing output while supporting more than 7 million jobs directly and indirectly. Beyond its economic weight, the industry is instrumental in driving rural industrialisation, reducing post-harvest losses, and positioning India as a key hub for processed and value-added food products on the global stage