Introduction With a huge agriculture sector, abundant livestock, and cost competitiveness; India is fast emerging as a sourcing hub

of processed food. India's food processing sector covers fruit and vegetables; spices; meat and poultry; milk and milk products, beverages, fisheries, plantation, grain processing and other consumer product groups such as confectionery, chocolates and cocoa products, soya-based products, mineral water, high protein foods etc. The Indian food services industry is estimated to be nearly worth Rs 75,000 crore (US$ 13.79 billion) and is growing at a healthy compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17 per cent, according to a Franchise India report released at the Indian Restaurant Congress. The Indian food services industry is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of around 12 per cent during 2012-2015, as per a RNCOS research report titled, 'Indian Food Services Market Forecast to 2015'. Moreover, India's market for organic food consumption has also been recognised as one with the largest potential worldwide, as per RNCOS research report titled, 'Indian Organic Food Market Analysis'. The report further highlighted that the sector will grow at a CAGR of 15 per cent during 2011-2013. Key Players Nestle India Ltd has acquired 26 per cent stake in Indocon Agro and Allied Activities Pvt Ltd, which is engaged in milk collection business in western India Indonesian food products company, Inbisco, plans to produce 20,000 tonnes of food products in the initial phase from its Sanand plant in Gujarat. It also plans to roll out products from January 2014 Your Foods, the fledgling spin-off from Priya Biscuits, is looking at exporting its range to the US, Australia, New Zealand, West Asia and East African markets. The biscuit market in India is estimated to be Rs 10,000 crore (US$ 1.84 billion) and the company is also gearing up to aggressively tap the medium and premium segment within the country over the next couple of years Twinings India, a subsidiary of the UK-based Associated British Foods, is gearing up to bring malted drink brand Ovaltine to India. The tea major has earmarked Rs 50 crore (US$ 9.19 million) as investment for this fiscal and expects to make its top-line grow five times in the next three years ITC will invest Rs 1,000 crore (US$ 184 million) in food and consumer goods sector in India in the next two to three years McCain Foods India Pvt Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Canadian major McCain Foods, will invest another US$ 69 million at its potato processing plant in Mehsana, Gujarat

Food Processing Industry

The Indian food processing industry accounts for 32 per cent of India's total food market. The industry is estimated to be worth US$ 121 billion, it is one of the largest industries in India, and is ranked fifth in terms of production, consumption and exports. The fruits and vegetables export from India in April-December 2012 was recorded for Rs 37.02 billion (US$ 681.14 million). Of the total exports, fresh grapes was recorded to Rs 5.45 billion (US$ 110.72 million), while walnuts were Rs 1.29 billion (US$ 23.76 million) and fresh mangoes stood at Rs 2.23 billion (US$ 40.99 million). The Ministry of Food Processing receives a number of proposals from private industries for establishing food processing industries in the country. The total amount released by the Ministry under the aforesaid scheme during 2012-13 (as on February 15, 2013) is worth Rs 145.74 crores (US$ 26.81 million). The food processing industries attracted foreign direct investments (FDI) worth US$ 1,681.97 million between April 2000 to December 2012, according to the latest data published by Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP). Beverages The ready-to-drink tea and coffee market in India is expected to touch Rs 2,200 crore (US$ 404.78 million) in next four years, according to estimates arrived at the World Tea and Coffee Expo 2013. In India, the branded tea segment is valued at Rs 6,000 crore (US$ 1.10 billion) on back of growing affluence of Indian consumers. India is the world's largest consumer, second largest producer and fourth largest exporter of tea and accounts for nearly 30 per cent of global output, as per an industry report. Hatsun Agro Product Ltd plans to set up a 250,000 litre a day milk processing plant in south Tamil Nadu. The company will invest about Rs 50 crore (US$ 9.19 million) in the plant to come up in Tirunelveli. Government Initiatives Mr Tariq Anwar, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Government of India, at a meeting with Dr Agnes Kalibata, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Republic of Rwanda, has expressed his willingness to intensify mutual cooperation in the field of agriculture between the two countries. The Government of India plans to construct 11 new food grain godowns at different locations in the State of Assam to strengthen the public distribution system. In 2012-13, the total food grain production will be over 250 million tonnes (MT). The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana intends to mobilise higher investment in agriculture and the National Food Security Mission is expected to bridge yield gaps. In the Union Budget 2013-14, Mr P Chidambaram, Minister for Finance, announced the provision of Rs 9,954 crore (US$ 1.83 billion) and Rs 2,250 crore (US$ 413.98 million), respectively, for the aforesaid two programmes.

Additional provision of Rs 10,000 crore (US$ 1.84 billion) for National Food Security Act has been allocated in the Union Budget 2013-14. The Act is expected to be passed soon by the Parliament. The National Policy on Food Processing aims at increasing the level of food processing from 10 per cent in 2010 to 25 per cent by 2025. The Government allows 100 per cent FDI in the food processing sector. The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has formulated a Vision 2015 Action Plan that includes trebling the size of the food processing industry, raising the level of processing of perishables from 6 per cent to 20 per cent, increasing value addition from 20 per cent to 35 per cent, and enhancing India's share in global food trade from 1.5 per cent to 3 per cent. Some of the other initiatives include:

The oilmeal export from India has registered a growth of 35 per cent to touch 656,948 tonnes in February 2013, due to improved demand for soyameal. Oilmeal import by South Korea between April 2012 and February 2013 was at 844,015 tonnes (717,274 tonnes) consisting of 173,568 tonnes of soyameal, 313,613 tonnes of castor meal The Government of Andhra Pradesh is coming out with a five-year plan for the food processing sector involving significant doses of private investments for infrastructure development The Centre has also planned to set up 30 food parks, as per Mr Rajesh Kakkar, Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing and Industries

Road Ahead With massive scope for value addition, growing trend in the consumption pattern of processed food products in India and many fiscal incentives being planned by the Government, the sector is estimated to be capable of maintaining the growth momentum in the future. Anticipating the future growth, many big international players are entering the Indian market by partnering the domestic players. This trend will emerge more strongly by 2015, providing opportunities to local players to widen their product portfolios.

Today, there are many companies in India which are successfully marketing their food products. The best among them are listed below:

1. Nestl

Nestl is a Swiss Multinational Food and Beverage Company headquartered in Vevey, Switzerland. Nestl's deals in baby food, bottled water, breakfast cereals, coffee, confectionery, dairy products, ice cream, pet foods and snacks. Nescaf, Nestea, Sunrise, KitKat and Maggi are few of nestle brand products which are widely marketed in India. And talking about Maggi, it is one such noodle which we all have tasted for endless times since our childhood.

2. PepsiCo

PepsiCo Inc. has its headquarter located in Purchase, New York, United States. Indra Krishnamurthy Nooyi has been severing as the chief executive of PepsiCo since 2006. PepsiCos foods division offers a wide variety of products such as Aliva, Cheetos, Kurkure, Lays, Lehar Namkeen, Quaker Oats and Uncle Chipps. PepsiCos iconic refreshment beverages include Pepsi, 7UP, Nimbooz, Mirinda, Slice and Mountain Dew. While its other popular products are Aquafina (packaged drinking water) and Tropicana fruit juice.PepsiCos iconic refreshment beverages include Pepsi, 7UP, Nimbooz, Mirinda, Slice and Mountain Dew. While its other popular products are Aquafina (packaged drinking water) and Tropicana fruit juice.
3. Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut is an American restaurant chain and international franchise that offers a great variety of delicious pizza along with side dishes including salad, pasta, breadsticks, and garlic bread . Double Cheese, Teekha Chicken Masala, Kadhai Chicken, Veggie Crunch, Tandori Paneer.What shall you order first? For all pizza lovers, pizza huts are always their one most sort after destination. You can enjoy an international dinning experience with your family and friends while dinning at pizza hut Restaurants.
4. KFC

Indians were never so fond of eating fried chicken, unless KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) arrived in India. KFC was founded by Harland Sanders, who first started selling fried chicken from his roadside restaurant in Corbin, Kentucky, United States, during 1930s. Sanders was the one who pioneered the concept of restaurant franchising, and thus the first "Kentucky Fried Chicken" franchise was opened in Utah in the early 1950s. Even after Sanderss death in 1980, his image continues to be used for branding purposes.

5. Hindustan Unilever

In India, there is no general retail shop or a household, which does not accommodate Hindustan Unilever products. HUL is one of India's leading producers of consumer goods. It deals in foods, beverages, cleaning agents and personal care products. As in this article we are mostly talking about food and beverage, so HULs few famous products in this division are Bru, Kissan, Korr, Red Label, Lipton, Brook Bond Tai Mahal, Modern Bread kwality Walls. HUL tea products give the Asili India Chai Ka Mazaa.
6. McDonald

Are you one among the 68 million customers who eat at McDonald's serving daily? This number is huge right but it true. McDonald is one among the largest chain of fast food restaurants in world. Few most popularly delicious food dishes of McDonalds are Mc Veggie, Mc Chicken cheeseburgers, Veg Mc Muffin, Egg and Cheese Muffin, french fries, breakfast menu, soft drinks, milkshakes and desserts.
7. Amul

Amul, a dairy product manufacturing company, is jointly owned by 3.03 million milk producers in Gujarat. Amul, since its inception in 1946, has spurred India's White Revolution and made our country the world's biggest producer of milk and milk products. Amul's produces a wide range of dairy products which includes Milk Powders, Milk, Butter, Ghee, Cheese, Masti Dahi, Yoghurt, Buttermilk, Chocolate, Ice Cream, Cream, Shrikhand, Paneer, Gulab Jamuns, Flavoured Milk, Basundi, Amul Pro Brand, Stamina Drink, Mithaimate, Kool Koko Chocolate, Amul Kool, Masti Butter Milk; Kool Cafe, Amul's Icecreams. Amul is a reputed brand, which maintains both quality and taste, toh jisne india mein reh reh ke Amul butter ya amul ghee nahi khaya.toh ushne kya khaya!!!
8. Coca-Cola

The best TV Campaign Thanda Matlab Coca-Cola, with Aamir Khan as a Mumbai 'Tapori', made every Indian thirsty for coca cola. A carbonated soft drink Coca-Cola is sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines all over the world. It is manufactured by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia. The Coca-Cola Company has also introduced other cola drinks under the brand name Coke. Most common of these are Diet Coke, Caffeine-Free Coca-Cola, Diet Coke Caffeine-Free, Coca-Cola Cherry, Coca-Cola Zero, Coca-Cola Vanilla, and special versions with lemon, lime or coffee.

9. Kelloggs

Kellogg Company is a transnational food manufacturing company based in Battle Creek, Michigan, United States. Kellogg is a major producer of cereal and convenience foods, including cookies, crackers, toaster pastries, cereal bars, fruitflavored snacks, frozen waffles, and vegetarian foods. The company's focuses mainly over providing high quality nutritional food products at a reasonable price. Kelloggs brands include Corn Flakes, Frosted Flakes, Rice Krispies, Special K, Pringles, PopTarts and Nutri-Grain.
10. Haldiram's

Haldiram's is one of India's largest sweets and snacks manufacturers, based in Nagpur. It was originally founded in 1937 by Gangabisenji Agrawal, as retail sweets and namkeens shop in Bikaner, Rajasthan. Haldiram's Products range includes Sweets (Soan Papdi, Gulab Jamun, Besan Ladoo, Rasgulla), Cookies, Sharbat (Badam, Pineapple, Kush, Mango, Orange), Minute Khana (Microwaveable Food), Papads, Pani Puri, Bhel Puri, Chips (Boletos, Takatak, Whoopies), Royal Temptations (Packaged Dry Fruits), Gujrati Snacks, South-Indian Snacks, Nimbu Masala, Mixture, Bhujiya and Namkeens. Haldiram's also has a range of restaurants in major Cities on India. While hanging out with friends and families in these places dont forget to taste Raj Kachori which is one of the most popular snacks, served with different kinds of sweet and sour chutneys. INDIA'S $182-BILLION food processing industry has been growing at over 13 percent despite the global slowdown. And now the government is aiming to double the turnover in the next five or six years by setting up mega food parks to attract global capital. The vision: Bring about a three-fold growth in the size of the country's food processing business, increase the level of processing perishables from six percent to 20 percent, raise the value addition from 20 percent to 35 percent and increase India's share in the global food trade from 1.5 percent to three percent. "We have seen the revolutions in the information technology and biotechnology. I now feel the time has come for a revolution in food technology," said Minister of State for Food Processing Subodh Kant Sahai. "People say whatever the circumstances, one will need food. So, this is one industry that will never close down," Sahai, who holds independent charge of the ministry, said in an interview. He has statistics as well to back his confidence. The country's gross domestic product (GDP) saw a decline in growth to 5.3 percent for the third quarter of this fiscal from 8.9 percent in the like period of the previous year, with both manufacturing and agriculture actually registering a decline

in output. But the food processing sector continued to maintain a positive growth rate. "In the midst of the global economic meltdown and with the growth in our manufacturing sector also having fallen, the food processing industry is growing at a robust 13.7 percent today, from levels of 6.7 percent in 2004-05," said Sahai. Agreed Pradeep Chordia, chairperson of the Chordia Food Park at Shirwal in Maharashtra: "Food is an essential item. I don't think that the global recession will have any effect on the food industry in India." According to the India Food Report 2008 prepared by leading markets data provider Research and Markets, the Indian food industry was estimated at over $182 billion, accounting for about two-thirds of the country's total retail sector. "We expect this market to grow to $300 billion by 2015, which is not very far. And by 2025, it is expected to be worth $344 billion," said an official in the ministry of food processing industries. India's food industry on the path of high growth INDIA IS THE THIRD LARGEST PRODUCER OF FOOD GRAIN AND THE SECOND LARGEST PRODUCER OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. INDIA'S $182-BILLION FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY HAS BEEN GROWING AT OVER 13 PERCENT DESPITE THE GLOBAL SLOWDOWN. PACKED AND PROCESSED FOOD IS INCREASINGLY BECOMING POPULAR.SOME FACTS ARE WELL KNOWN AND BACK THE AMBITIOUS VISION SET BY THE GOVERNMENT: ! India is the world's largest producer of milk. ! It has the largest number of livestock in the world. ! It is the world's second largest producer of fruit and vegetables. ! It is the third largest producer of food grain. ! It has the third largest output of fish. ! It the largest producer, consumer and exporter of spices. At the same time, while processing of food to consumable standards are at levels of up to 80 percent in some developed countries, the overall processing level in India has languished at single-digit level till recently. "While the whole world was processing at 70-80 percent, we were processing just six-seven percent. Now, after four years, this has gone to 10 percent," said Sahai, adding that India's share in exports of processed food in a global market is just 1.5 percent at $3.2 billion. The main reason for this is that much of the farm and horticultural produce goes waste or farmers are compelled to dispose them of in distress sales as there is no adequate infrastructure to process and preserve the produce and especially increase its shelf life till it reaches retail stores. The wastage level of fruit and vegetables in India currently stands at a whopping 35 percent, explain ministry officials, adding it was to bring a complete turnaround to this scheme of things that the government launched the ambitious Vision

2015 programme. An essential part of the programme is the flagship Mega Food Parks Scheme, which is instilling a lot of hope among stakeholders - from agriculturists to industrialists - and 10 such projects are already in the pipeline across the country. The idea behind these parks is to make the country's farm sector more market-driven than supply-driven. In other words, farmers will need to produce what the markets demand rather than what they feel like. "Through food parks, processors will tell farmers, 'Look! this is what you will produce now since this is what is needed. We need so much of this produce every year. This is the current market rate, this was what you were getting, and this is what we will pay you'. So all sides are happy," explained the ministry official. "What we want is the farmers should get more and more market information." Each of these parks is expected to generate 30,000 direct jobs and several times of it in indirect opportunities. Based on the success parameters of the first 10 parks, the number will be scaled up to 30 in the next five years. These initiatives are also seen opening up new opportunities for youth and that is why the government is setting up the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM), not far from the national capital. "Courses in the institute will start from the 2010 session," said Sahai, adding a series of laboratories for carrying out research and development work at various institutes was also in the pipeline. The minister said India's food processing industry - which has the potential to attract Rs.1,000 billion ($20 billion) worth of investment, now needed to link better with the world market to achieve its full potential. "We will become the food factory of the world." I