The three-day event is likely to witness a turnout of about 104 exhibitors and 5,000 visitors from all over the globe. On an average, the expo is said to be growing at the rate of 15-20 per cent every year.
The event was inaugurated by Sanjay Khaira, managing director, UBM India; Milind Dixit, group director, exhibitions, and Natasha Berow, brand director, Fi. "This year, we have extended a two-day show to three days at the industry's request, as this would also allow them to transact more," Sanjeev Khaira informed FnBNews at the event. Khaira said that it was a positive response and was a biggest achievement that we have.
This year's event is also expected to feature exclusive ingredients made by the leading players like BASF India; Ajinomoto; National Starch Food innovation; ITC Colors; Piramal Healthcare; Tata Chemicals; Adani Wilmar; Mafco Shanghai EEMEA; Parry Nutraceuticals, and Roquette India.
Speaking at the event, Khaira further said that the food processing industry was the fifth largest in India in terms of consumption, production, export and that it expected growth. The sector was one of the fastest growing divisions of the food industry and all set to attract investments to the tune of $33 billion in the next three years.
Apart from the exhibits, the event would also see a host of knowledge-sharing sessions conducted in association with experts from different fields in the food industry and that the seminar would address the issues from the growth of nutraceuticals and functional foods to licensing issues in the Indian food industry.
"The three-day expo would facilitate interface between international and domestic players, create unlimited possibilities for long-term partnerships and encourage knowledge sharing that would support in the industry in the growth phase," Khaira said.
"Fi India 2012 is looking to facilitate more companies that could address the issues of shelf life of the food that pose as one of the challenges in the food industry and also newer ingredients as the food ingredients solely was growing at an annual rate of 15-20 per cent," Dixit said.
He then said around 2,400 countries are participating with the US and Malaysia as the focus countries this year, adding that the food ingredients sector was growing at a rate of 15-20 per cent due to the increasing demand of the processed food.
He added, "The event would specifically focus on promoting and identifying the trends in the natural ingredients, health ingredients and the dietary supplements allowing different international exhibitors to deliver the innovations in the sector."
Extending support to FI India 2012, M A Tejani, president, All India Food Processors' Association (AIFPA), said, "The food processing industry is a natural offshoot of the rich and varied agricultural produce that India is known for. By bringing Indian and international suppliers and buyers on a common platform, Fi India promotes quality, novelty and exposure key drivers of the food industry."
