270 Indian Firms, Trade Bodies To Attend Food Fest In Dubai

As many as 270 Indian companies and trade associations, including the likes of Priyagold and Parle, will take part in a major food exhibition here to showcase their products and exchange ideas.

In one of the largest such gatherings, besides the indigenous companies and trade associations, many government organisations will be participating in the 'Gulfood', scheduled to be held from February 8-12.

India has actively and regularly participated in Gulfood and this year is no exception, a statement from the Indian consulate in Dubai said.

Major Indian brands showcasing their products at the expo are Allanasons, Amira, Bonn, Cremica, Dukes, India Gate, Parle, Priyagold, MTR, Mothers Recipe,Ramdev and Rasna among others.

The major government enterprises expected to take part in the expo are the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA),Cashew Export Promotion Council, Coffee Board of India, Indian Oilseed & Produce Export Promotion Council and the Tea Board of India.

The assortment of products and services that would be available at the expo range from agro commodities, biscuits, frozen meat, cashew, coffee, fruit beverages,oilseeds, processed food, ready-to-eat foods, rice, spices, tea among others.

India is one of the world's major food producers but accounts disproportionally less in the international food trade arena. This indicates vast scope for both investors and exporters, it said.

The Indian food sector was valued at $157 billion in 2012 and is expected to reach $258 billion by 2015.

The food processing industry is 32 per cent of the total food market and is one of the largest industries in India.

India's worldwide export of all agriculture products in 2012-13 was $37 billion whereas during 1998-99 it stood at just $5.8 billion.

Food items (cereals, sugar, fruits & vegetables, tea, meat and seafood) comprise Indian exports to the UAE, India's third largest trading partner for the year 2013-14 after China and US with a trade value of nearly $60 billion.

Source : economictimes.indiatimes.com