The 16th edition of Anutec was attended by 20,389 visitors, 419 exhibitors from over 52 countries. The current edition with a 38,000 sqm vast exhibition space will be home to around 700 exhibitors, and expects over 40,000 visitors from 28 countries.

India's food and grocery retail market size is projected to reach USD 852 billion in 2025, growing at a CAGR of 8.25% from 2020 to 2025. Also, the Indian food processing industry is expected to reach USD 535 billion by 2025-2026, contributing to 12.8% of India’s GDP.

The event will feature dignitaries such as Rajesh Agarwal, additional secretary, Ministry of Commerce, and Abhishekh Dev, chairman, APEDA. In addition, leaders from industry associations such as N Bhaskar, president, AFSTI, and Raghav Jadli, president, AIFPA, will be present.

The three-day exhibition will be complemented by live demonstrations of full production lines, panel discussions and various education tracks on hot topics like food safety, hygienic designs, and future advancement of the industry. Additional forums like Packaging Theatre, Culinary Corner, and Innovative Trend Zone are set to further enrich visitors' experiences.

The session will witness panel discussions and presentations on topics such as plant-based foods 2.0, Technology & Innovation for a safe and sustainable food ecosystem, revolutionising food processing, amongst others. Key speakers include Sonam Parekh, CEO of Food Collective; C Tara Satyavathi, director of Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR) Hyderabad; Sachin Saxena, head of functional foods at Marico; B Dayakar Rao, CEO of Nutrihub-TBI, principal scientist, ICAR-IIMR and many more.

The event will be co-located with shows PackEx and Annapoorna-Anufood at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, under one roof. India's processed food market is projected to reach a staggering USD 535 billion by 2025, Anutec India's significance will be a catalyst for innovation and growth.

Elaborating on the opportunities in the sector, Prabodh Halde, chairman, All India Food Processors Association Western Region said, “Bolstered by FSSAI's regulatory framework, the sector now catalyses trust and guides a Rs 20,000 crore annual packaged ingredients market.”

“India's food and beverage packaging domain envisions an ascent to USD 86 billion by 2029. The synergistic trio of Anutec, Anufood, and PackEx India emerges as a driving force, fostering innovation and steering the industry towards holistic growth and sustainability,” added Halde.

The exhibitors of the event include Economode Food Equipment (I), Goma Process Technologies, Heat & Control, Shri Vibracion Technologies, Gopal Snacks, Shubham Goldiee Masala, Haldiram Snacks, Wow Momo Sales, and many more.

Milind Dixit, managing director, Koelnmesse India said, "Anutec and Anufood along with the co-located event PackEx is more than just an exhibition; it's a glimpse into the future of food. The revenue in the food market is pegged at USD 900 billion and it is poised to grow at a CAGR of 8.4 % by 2028. It's clear that the industry is undergoing a monumental transformation."