ARCHIVED MEDIA RELEASE
PA/18/07 11 October 2007
Joint India-Australia study on food processing highlights benefits from greater Australian participation
The Final Report of the Australia – India Joint Study on Opportunities in the Indian Food Processing Sector was jointly launched today by the Honourable Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Mr Subodh Kant Sahay and Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Mr John McCarthy.
With strong growth in food retail, only two per cent of fresh products being processed at present and a burgeoning middle class demanding higher quality, safer and more readily available food products, the Indian Government has identified the development of its food processing sector as an area of high priority.
Significant opportunities exist for Australian participation in the Indian food processing sector, as Australia has widely recognised expertise in areas such as agri-technology, food production and processing, supply chain and cold chain logistics and retail services.
Australian participation is likely to be through investment, collaboration and partnerships with Indian businesses and through the provision of the products, services and expertise that India needs to assist it to develop its capabilities to meet its rapidly growing demand.
The Report identifies areas in the Indian food processing chain where significant opportunities for Australian participation exist and where Australia has strong expertise and capabilities. The focus of the report was three agribusiness sectors of significance to both India and Australia: fruit and vegetables, dairy products and grains. The report also highlights the potential for investments in integrated logistics management services – including cold chain infrastructure – to reduce significantly the current 30 – 40 per cent losses of fresh produce in India.
Australian businesses with capabilities and expertise in the areas identified as being of highest potential in the Report are being alerted to the opportunities by the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade). Austrade would be happy to discuss with Indian businesses the range of Australian business capability available in this sector and identify possible partners interested in collaborating with Indian businesses in the food processing sector.
For further information, please contact Mr Michael Carter, Trade Commissioner, Austrade, on +91 11 4139 9961.