The 18th edition of Fi India & 6th edition of ProPak India 2024 both commenced with great momentum at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), bringing together key stakeholders from the food, health, packaging, and processing sectors. 

The grand opening of the esteemed expos was graced by the distinguished dignitaries including Suresha, president AFSTI, Bangalore Chapter; Nilesh Lele, president, Chamber For Advancement of Small and Medium Businesses; Prasad Balan Iyer, director, SIES School of Packaging; Sagar Singh, joint director, chemical department, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) under Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India; Rajeshwar S. Matche, chief scientist; CSIR- Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysuru, Karnataka; Chakravarthi AVPS, global ambassador, World Packaging Organisation; Yogesh Mudras, managing director, Informa Markets in India and Rahul Deshpande, senior group director, Informa Markets in India. 

Suresha, president AFSTI, Bangalore Chapter said, “India's food industry is witnessing significant growth, with exports increasing nearly sixfold. As the largest producer of millets and milk, India aims to boost milk production from 230 to 300-million metric tons by 2030. Additionally, grain production has surpassed 330-million metric tons, and the country is the second-largest meat producer, emphasising a focus on expanding exports. The packaging industry, growing nearly sixfold compared to a decade ago, plays a crucial role in supporting this expansion. Government initiatives like Atma Nirbhar Bharat are further fuelling growth in food processing, offering benefits for women-led startups, including no GST for the first five years and additional subsidies. As Bangalore continues to strengthen its position as a hub for food industry R&D, these trends highlight the critical role of both ingredients and packaging in shaping the future of the industry."

Chakravarthi AVPS, global ambassador, World Packaging Organisation said, "India's ascending economy is poised to receive a significant boost from its food and agriculture sector, which is projected to emerge as a vital contributor. Spearheading this transformation are platforms like FI India and ProPak India, providing a dynamic convergence point for innovators and stakeholders. Notably, India's packaging industry has already surpassed USD 85-billion, while globally, it has reached USD 1.05-trillion, highlighting the critical role of sustainable and customer-centric packaging in shaping the future of food processing and nutrition. The evolution of machinery and processing technologies, which once relied on imports, now thrives with domestic advancements. These developments are crucial for extending shelf life, enhancing food safety, and supporting India's growth as a key player in global exports.”

Speaking on the occasion, Yogesh Mudras, managing director, Informa Markets in India said, "India's food processing sector is undergoing a transformation, supported by initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY), ensuring efficient farm-to-retail infrastructure. As a global leader in food production, India stands out in spices, producing over 11 million tons in 2022-23. Our diverse agro-climatic conditions allow for the cultivation of cereals, pulses, and vegetables. The rapid growth of the food packaging industry, driven by convenience and sustainability, is evident, as seen in Fi India & ProPak India 2024's success, showcasing innovation and collaboration.”

“Bangalore remains a pivotal market due to its strong agritech ecosystem and strategic location in South India, making it the perfect hub for driving growth in food processing and packaging,” he added.

Expert Sessions and Fi India Awards 

The 2024 edition of Fi India & ProPak India featured over 25 insightful sessions and discussions focusing on current industry trends and challenges with contributions from organisations like the Good Food Institute India (GFI) and the Alternative Protein Innovation Center (APIC). Fi India included sessions on diverse topics such as holistic food experiences with glocal ingredients, global and FSSAI regulations for food additives, and cleaner production possibilities in ingredient solutions. Panel discussions like good food, good health: towards sustainable food and supply chain management and scaling the smart protein ingredients supply chain for india: exploring capabilities and opportunities, highlighted the growing importance of sustainability and innovation in the sector. 

On the ProPak India side, the event featured a presentation by  Sagar Singh, joint director (Chemical Department), BIS, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, on the regulatory framework for printing inks and packaging in India. Additionally, the event hosted panel discussions on novel food packaging technologies and bioplastic, biodegradable, and recycled materials for food packaging, delving into sustainable alternatives in packaging. Key sessions also explored packaging regulations and safety evaluation for food packaging and decoding consumer attitudes: Navigating global sustainability and ethical behaviour, offering insights into the consumer-driven shift towards eco-friendly practices.

ProPak India on Day 2 featured critical topics such as sustainable packaging solutions, packaging innovation – concept to commercialisation, packaging development: optimisation and circular economy, and fitting a packaging application: challenges and troubleshooting. 

Industry Growth and Market Insights

The post-pandemic era has ushered in significant growth in the online food sector and packaged food products. According to a report by IMARC India, the market size for packaged food is projected to reach USD 3.4 billion by 2027. The Indian food processing industry, which represents 32% of the country’s total food market, stands as one of India's largest sectors, contributing approximately 14% to the manufacturing GDP, 13% to exports, and 6% to total industrial development. By 2025-2026, this sector is expected to be valued at over USD 535 billion.

Driving this growth are advancements in food processing technologies such as encapsulation, nanotechnology, and enzyme engineering, which enable the creation of novel ingredients with enhanced functionalities. These innovations allow manufacturers to improve taste, texture, nutritional value, and shelf life, aligning with consumer preferences for healthier, more convenient, and flavorful food products. Additionally, food technology breakthroughs have facilitated the extraction and use of natural ingredients, catering to the rising demand for clean-label and natural products. This continuous innovation fosters healthy competition among ingredient suppliers, encouraging investment in research and development to bring new and improved ingredients to market.