ANUTEC – International FoodTec India 2023 wraps pp, charting a prosperous path for India's food processing & packaging sector

ANUTEC - International FoodTec India 2023, co-located with PackEx India and ANUFOOD India 2023, recently concluded at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, setting the stage for India's food industry growth. These events, known for innovation and collaboration, reinforced their commitment to an industry projected to reach nearly USD 504.92 billion by 2027. This year, ANUTEC – International FoodTec India, boasting 22,447 visitors and over 500 exhibitors within a vast 25,524 sqm space, showcased the participation of more than 1,500 food brands. India's burgeoning food processing sector, poised to create jobs and attract foreign investments, highlights the significance of ANUTEC - International FoodTec India.

The expos welcomed esteemed dignitaries, industry leaders, and government officials, emphasizing their role in promoting innovation, collaboration, and exploration within the food processing sector. Key dignitaries included Prahlad Singh Patel, MOS, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, Mercy Epao, Joint Secretary (SME), Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Government of India, Dr. N. Bhaskar, President, Association of Food Scientists & Technologists India (AFSTI), Dr Raghav Jadli, President, All India Food Processors Association (AIFPA), Mr. Oliver Frese, COO, Koelnmesse GmbH and Milind Dixit, Managing Director, Koelnmesse.

During the event, the dignitaries emphasized Government’s industry upgradation programs like INR 4600 crores for PMKSY and PLI Scheme to advance the food processing industry. They also highlighted the role of MSMEs, programs for female entrepreneurs, sustainability efforts, customized programs, along with India's potential as a global food processing hub, and opportunities for multinational corporations. They imparted knowledge that highlighted the government's dedication to the expansion of the MSME and food processing industries, thereby putting India firmly on the world food supply chain.

In his inaugural address, Prahlad Singh Patel, MOS, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India emphasized, "Today's exhibition is the representation of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat,' that reflects the distinctive power of our market and the technological innovation that underpins India's development. The Government of India has allocated Rs. 4600 crores to sustain PMKSY, and recently, the allocation of an additional Rs. 920 crores to PMKSY, reaffirms its commitment to sector growth and development.”

“India is positioned to become a hub for the world's food supply. There is a great deal of opportunity for multinational firms to see India as the go-to location for food processing and exports on a global scale since we have access to an abundance of raw materials and undeveloped processing capacity.” said Dr. Jitendra Dongare, Deputy AMA, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India.

Reflecting on the event’s success, Milind Dixit, managing director, Koelnmesse, said, “We are delighted by the resounding success of ANUTEC - International Food Tec India. The government initiatives and compelling statistics support the strong growth trajectory of India's food processing industry. By 2024, this industry is expected to produce nine million new employment opportunities and bring in USD 4.18 billion in foreign direct investments. The growth of these industries and the promotion of innovation are the top priorities of Koelnmesse India. We appreciate the contributions of the exhibitors, guests, and partners. Together, we will keep bringing about constructive changes in the sector.”

ANUTEC - International FoodTec India is now 'Anuga FoodTec India'

Koelnmesse at the sidelines of ANUTEC – International FoodTec India also announced the introduction of ANUGA FoodTec India. The significant development is poised to reshape the landscape of India's food processing sector, offering unprecedented growth opportunities, and fostering collaboration. Building upon the success of ANUTEC – International FoodTec India over the years, Koelnmesse is now rebranding the event as ANUGA FoodTec India. The event will be held from 28-30 August, 2024 at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai in the coming year.

The event has seen a 15% whooping growth over the 2022 edition with new categories leading the charge like Safety & Analytics, Digitalization, Automation, Software, AIDC And IOT Solutions, and Cold Chain Services. Notable trends observed included Sustainable Packaging and Automation/Digitalization in Food Processing. Over 85 new exhibitors participated in the event displaying range of innovative products. With over 130 international participants from 27 countries, the international representation was significant, reflecting a global interest in India's food technology sector. Key participating countries include Italy, Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Indonesia, Netherlands, Italy, Japan, Poland, South Korea, Spain, Singapore, Turkey and USA to name a few.

The event was supported by industry stakeholders and associations like All India Food Processors Association (AIFPA), Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), The Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA), Federation of Freight Forwarders' Associations in India (FFFAI), The Society of Indian Bakers (SIB), and Association of Food Scientists & Technologists India (AFSTI) & some more.

Moreover, ANUTEC – International FoodTec India went the extra mile by hosting specialized forums like the Packaging Theatre (showcased by the Knowledge Partner ‘Innova Market Insights’), Intralogistics, and the Material & Storage Pavilion. These dedicated forums not only enriched the event but also added immense value and relevance for industry professionals. Attendees had the opportunity to delve deep into key aspects of their fields, stay updated with the latest trends, and explore innovative solutions, making ANUTEC – International FoodTec India an even more indispensable event on their calendars.

The positive feedback underscores the event's success and the favorable impression it left on those who participated, attended, or have an extensive experience in the industry. Such praise serves as a testament to the event's excellence and its ability to meet the expectations of diverse stakeholders.

Bonfiglioli India praised the event on their social media platform, “The event provided us with a remarkable platform to engage with our customers and OEM partners in meaningful ways. Our team had a privilege to interact with a diverse range of industry professionals, allowing us to showcase our latest products & solutions. These interactions not only reinforced our commitment to delivering excellence but also provided invaluable insights into the evolving needs and challenges of our valued customers and partners.”

Clearpack Group mentioned, “Clearpack is a leading player in India's packaging machinery industry, consistently participating at PackEx exhibition to showcase our latest innovations. This year, we are thrilled to unveil our cutting-edge products, including the Rotary Net Weight Filling Machine and Shrink-Wrapping Machine. Our commitment to this event spans multiple years, and each year reaffirms its value. We return annually because exhibitions like these provide a crucial platform for us to display our state-of-the-art packaging technology, offering tangible benefits to companies across various sectors in need of advanced packaging solutions.”

Kiron Food Processing Technologies shared, “We had a fantastic experience at Anuga FoodTec India 2023 in Mumbai! We had the privilege to meet and showcase equipment to both our valued existing customers and new acquaintances from all corners of India. Our heartfelt thanks go out to our customers and esteemed principals for their continuous support. Together, we are shaping the future of food processing technology!”

Subhash Desai, Former Minister of Industries of Maharashtra, said, “I am fortunate to visit this event. Year on year, this organization is growing from strength to strength. I could see the technology, the range of products, the manufacturers as well as the distributors, retailers etc. the entire supply chain is here! I can say that here, we could find A to Z of the food industry. The quality of the event is very good. This is the one & only place in India, which has end to end solutions. I congratulate to the organisers for organizing such a fabulous event & wish them every success in the future endeavor. In one word, the event is Fabulous!”

The event contributed to the development of India's food processing infrastructure and supply chain, aligning with the Indian government's initiatives, such as creating Mega Food Parks and schemes for food processing. ANUTEC – International FoodTec India continue to shape a promising future for the industry, showcasing trending processing & packaging technology excellence and business potential globally.

ANUTEC - International FoodTec India is organized by Koelnmesse (formerly known as Koelnmesse YA Tradefair).