Kolkata is all set to host the 20th International Foodtech Exhibition from August 18th to August 20th, 2023, at the Biswa Bangla Milan Mela Complex. This premier business-to-business (B2B) event is dedicated to showcasing the latest advancements in the food processing, bakery, mithai (sweetmeat), namkeen (savoury snacks), and hospitality industries in Eastern India.
The exhibition will witness the participation of over 180 major foreign and Indian companies, as well as leading brands from the food and hospitality sectors. Notable associations like the Hotel & Restaurant Association of Eastern India, the West Bengal Bakery Association, the All-India Food Processors Association, the West Bengal Bakers Coordination Committee, Paschimbanga Misti Udyog, and others will also join the event.
Zakir Hossain, the Convenor of the 20th International Foodtech Kolkata 2023, highlighted the significance of the event amid a looming global food crisis. He emphasized the need for advanced food technologies and processes to address issues related to affordability, efficiency, and waste reduction in food production.
This year’s exhibition will be 20% larger in scale compared to the previous edition, aiming to showcase emerging technologies, food processing equipment, best practices, and financial solutions. A key focus of the event will be on the bakery, mithai, and namkeen industries, with live demonstrations including cake-making lessons, hi-tech rosogolla (a traditional sweet) manufacturing, and food packaging with a minimal human touch.
The sweetmeat industry in West Bengal holds immense importance, providing livelihoods to over 2.5 million families through more than 100,000 big and small enterprises. In recognition of its significance, a dedicated section under Mishti Udyog (Sweetmeat Industry) will be present at the International Foodtech Kolkata 2023, bringing together sweetmeat manufacturers from across the state.
Similarly, the snacks (chanachur) industry in the state, which is a small-scale sector spread throughout the region, will also receive special attention at the event. Pranab Chandra, Secretary of the Chanachur Association under Mishti Udyog, stated that the exhibition will serve as a platform to create awareness and promote modernization among industry stakeholders. The aim is to encourage them to adopt new technologies, equipment, and processes for a profitable and sustainable future.
Atikram Gupta, Secretary General of the Hotel & Restaurant Association of Eastern India, expressed his enthusiasm for the event, with representatives from 13 states in eastern India participating.
The International Foodtech Kolkata 2023 will cover the entire spectrum of the food industry and related services, encompassing food and beverages, food processing machinery and equipment, food packaging, cold storage systems, waste management systems, bakery, and confectionery equipment, ice cream-making machines and plants, edible oils, spices, essences, colouring additives, industrial refrigeration, industrial kitchen equipment, glass and glassware, tableware, as well as facilitators such as banks and financial institutions and pollution control entities.
As automation and contactless manufacturing become integral to the food industry, the event will host various seminars and discussions on the bakery and confectionery, culinary, sweets, and snacks industries. With the participation of major players, the 20th International Foodtech Kolkata 2023 promises to be an exciting platform for business networking, knowledge exchange, and exploring the latest trends and innovations in the food and hospitality sectors.