Indusfood 2025 - Processed Food as Key to India's Development, Highlights Chirag Paswan

[ABS News Service/09.01.2025]

The Union Minister of Food Processing Industries, Chirag Paswan inaugurated the 8th edition of Indusfood 2025 on 8 January, 2025 at Expo Centre, Greater Noida. Baba Ramdev was the guest of honour. Mohit Singla, Chairman TPCI, Abhishek Dev, Chairman APEDA, Aashish Agrawal, MD, Bikharam Chandmal, Aakash Shah, Director, Everest Food Products along with the distinguished guests, industry leaders, and buyers from all over the world were present during the inauguration.

The Union Food Processing Industries Minister Paswan, in his address said, “Over the years, Indusfood has emerged as one of India’s finest and most globally recognized trade exhibitions, providing international market linkages for the F&B sector and providing a strong impetus to India’s F&B exports. It is a visionary step by the Trade Promotion Council of India to transform Indusfood into a comprehensive farm-to-fork trade fair.”

Mr. Paswan during the inaugural address highlighted that, “Due to the evolving lifestyle and changing family configurations; processed food demand will grow manyfold and is the future, as it holds immense possibilities for growth. I am sure that the processed food segment of the industry will be a major contributor to the Prime Minister’s vision and resolve to make India ‘Viksit Bharat’.”

The Minister pressed upon the need to make Indian cuisine grow across the world and reach every dining table. The minister stated that, “My government is working toward food security to the world with the mission that no one should sleep hungry, and here India can play a major role as agri producer and exporter.” Applauding the Indian taste and food diversity, The Union Minister noted that, “Swaad Seemayon ka Mohtaaz Nhi Hota”. We are moving ahead with this thought to grow our agri and food export to reach the global shelves of the world.

Highlighting the need for food safety, The Minister said, “Food safety is equally important as food taste. The FSSAI will be hosting a regulatory summit soon to ensure a greater compliance. We have opened food testing labs as mandated in the Union Budget and 100 new testing labs will be added to ensure food safety to all.”

Shri Paswan informed that his Ministry is also working toward increasing the longevity of perishable items so as to have a long shelves life and minimize the losses.

Shri Paswan assured the industry that the government is committed to bridging the gap between the policy and the industry and will support the industry in every possible way.

Baba Ramdev in his address described Indusfood as “Aahaar ka Mahakumbh”, where representatives of the world hailing from 130 countries, along with the presence of a large number of chefs, serve as a testimony that the world is here to explore Indian cuisine and food. He further noted that, "Indian food, Indian behaviour and Indian thought is respected across the world and we know that it is India’s strength, which the entire world acknowledges.”

Chairman APEDA, Abhishek Dev in his address noted that, “India is already a global powerhouse holding seventh position in global food export, touching 50 billion USD in exports last year. This year we will be setting new records in terms of export growth.

The opportunity is immense as the global market size is 4 trillion USD and we are just 2.4% of it. Processed food as a segment has also great potential and our aim is to increase value added export by 40% in 3 to 4 years. The organic food market is 147 billion USD and we have a very small share of 2.5%. Moving forward, we have to grow 4 times in the next 5 years.

Speaking at the inaugural event, Mohit Singla, Chairman TPCI noted that, “This year, as we celebrate another remarkable milestone, we’re not just looking at numbers or deals. We are celebrating the relationships we’ve built, the trust we’ve earned, and the shared vision that brings us all here—to redefine what the food and beverage industry can achieve together. For three days, we’ll transform this space into a vibrant ecosystem of possibilities.”

Indusfood continues to show strong YoY growth with 1,800 exhibitors over 80,000 sq m of exhibition space in this edition. The international exhibitor pavilion launched last year has nearly doubled in terms of representation, with exhibitors from around 30 countries now participating, Chairman TPCI noted.

Mr. Singla informed that, “We are proud to host the first Asian President’s Forum in India in collaboration with the Indian Federation of Culinary Associations, which will feature around 35 international chefs and 100 Indian delegates. This creates a dynamic environment for cross-cultural exchange, innovation, and partnerships that will provide lucrative opportunities for Indian exhibitors in the hospitality industry.”

The event format of Indusfood 2025, with three concurrent trade fairs – Indusfood Food & Beverage, Indusfood Manufacturing and Indusfood Agri-Tech, has been meticulously designed to foster seamless cross-domain synergies across the farm to fork value chain.