Food Processing to Play Key Role in India’s Economic Strategy: ITPO Chairman
Food processing will play a central role in India’s broader economic strategy, as the sector is labour-intensive and largely driven by small-scale industries that generate significant employment, value addition, and export opportunities, said Jawed Ashraf on Monday.
Ashraf made the remarks during the curtain-raiser press conference for the upcoming AAHAR – International Food & Hospitality Fair, scheduled to be held at Bharat Mandapam.
The 40th edition of AAHAR, one of Asia’s leading B2B platforms for the food and hospitality sector, will be inaugurated by Piyush Goyal on March 10. The five-day international exhibition will run from March 10–14, 2026, bringing together industry stakeholders from across the globe.
Highlighting the sector’s significance, Ashraf noted that the broader food ecosystem—covering agriculture, food processing, hospitality, and exports—has emerged as a key pillar of India’s economy. He emphasised that the sector is closely linked to the livelihoods of farmers as well as the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises.
India remains among the world’s largest producers of agricultural commodities such as dairy, sugarcane, pulses, food grains, fruits, and vegetables. However, Ashraf pointed out that greater value addition through stronger food processing capabilities is essential to convert this production strength into higher farmer incomes and enhanced global competitiveness.
One of the major challenges facing the farming community, he said, is the perishability of agricultural produce and the long supply chain between farms and consumers, particularly for small-scale farmers. Strengthening food processing capacity can help reduce wastage, improve supply chain efficiency, and create more employment opportunities in rural areas.
Ashraf also noted that India’s trade agreements with key markets such as the European Union, United Kingdom, and European Free Trade Association are expected to open new avenues for Indian food exports, further supporting the sector’s growth.
According to him, India’s food processing industry is currently valued at around USD 354 billion and contributes nearly 9 percent to the country’s manufacturing gross value added while accounting for about 13 percent of organised sector employment. The sector has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 7.5 percent over the past decade and is projected to reach approximately USD 700 billion by 2030.
The AAHAR – International Food & Hospitality Fair is expected to feature over 1,700 exhibitors, including more than 140 international participants from around 23 countries. Organisers anticipate over 100,000 business visitors during the five-day event. The exhibition will showcase a wide range of products and technologies, including food processing solutions, beverages, dairy products, organic and processed foods, packaging innovations, cold chain technologies, and hospitality equipment, offering a major platform for global business networking and industry collaboration.