The Indian government has announced its expectations of attracting investments exceeding INR 75,000 crore in the food processing sector during the upcoming second edition of World Food India. This international event is scheduled to take place from November 3 to November 5 in the national capital. The first edition of World Food India was held in 2017, but subsequent editions were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister of State for Food Processing Industries, Prahlad Singh Patel, expressed the government’s intention to have Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurate World Food India 2023 at Pragati Maidan, with the President of India attending the closing ceremony.
India’s food processing sector presents numerous investment opportunities, with several companies already indicating their commitment to invest, to be officially announced during the World Food India 2023 event.
In a strategic move, the government has chosen not to invite China to the event.
World Food India 2023 is expected to witness the participation of around 16 countries, 23 state governments, 11 Union ministries, and central bodies. The event is likely to host 950 exhibitors and attract approximately 75,000 visitors.
The Netherlands has been selected as the partner country for World Food India 2023, while Japan and Vietnam are the focus countries for the event.
Minhaj Alam, Additional Secretary in the Food Processing Industries, presented information indicating an approximate investment commitment of INR 642 crore from companies like Britannia, GreenGrahi, Foods and Inns Ltd., St Peter & Paul Sea Food Exports, as well as US-based General Mills. There have also been verbal investment commitments from Swiss-based Buhler Group, US-based Mondelez and Coca-Cola, and UAE-based Lulu Group, with expectations to surpass the INR 75,000 crore investment mark this time.
Regarding the status of investments from the first edition of World Food India, the official revealed that they had received commitments for INR 75,000 crore, of which INR 23,000 crore has been realized. These investments were initially expected to materialize within three years, but the pandemic caused delays.
The focus areas for the event include millets, unlocking growth potential, positioning India as a global hub, creating an efficient ecosystem, and promoting sustainable development.
One unique highlight of the event will be the attempt to set a Guinness World Record with 60 to 80 chefs preparing the world’s longest ‘Millet dosa,’ spanning over 100 feet.