Anuga FoodTec commences in Mumbai

Anuga FoodTec India and Anuga Select India 2025 commenced on 20 August at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, setting the stage for the food and beverage value chain in South Asia. Organised by Koelnmesse India, taking place from 20 to 22 August 2025, the events are designed to drive South Asia’s F&B growth by championing innovation, facilitating international partnerships, and enabling opportunities for trade and knowledge exchange.

The inauguration was graced by a panel of dignitaries, including Seetharaman Raghupathi, executive director, National Dairy Development Board (NDDB); HE Ahmad Al Ahmari, Charge d'Affaires, Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia; HE Zozo Binti, head of mission, DR Congo; HE Labane Gideon, the consul general of South Africa; HE Donnawit Poolsawat, the consul general of Thailand; Bastian Mingers, vice president, food portfolio, Koelnmesse GmbH; Milind Dixit, managing director – India and SAARC, Koelnmesse; and Sameer Mithia, the group director, Koelnmesse.

Speaking at the ceremony, Raghupathi said, "India’s food and beverage sector is growing rapidly, backed by 180-million hectares of arable land, food processing valued at INR 75-trillion, and food expenditure making up over 40% of consumer spend. Dairy contributes 25% of this sector, with India producing one-fourth of the world’s milk, worth INR 12-trillion." Raghupathi added, "With 17 million farmers across 235,000 villages, 35% of whom are women, dairy cooperatives return 75% of the consumer rupee, channeling INR 2.1-billion daily into the rural economy. Initiatives like White Revolution 2.0, which aims to establish 75,000 new cooperatives by 2028–29, will further boost this growth."

HE Al Ahmari said, "Saudi Arabia’s rich history, culture, and future are deeply connected with one of nature’s most generous gifts, dates. The kingdom is home to more than 37.1-million palm trees, producing around 1.1-million tonnes annually, across 123 kilometres of farmland and over 300 unique date varieties. Sharing dates is a way of sharing culture, while also meeting global demand for sustainable, organic, and health-conscious products. Nations, businesses, and investors are invited to join this journey and partner in bringing this blessed fruit to every corner of the globe."

HE Binti said, "The Democratic Republic of Congo, with a population of 112-million, over 80-million hectares of arable land, 87% of the world’s cobalt reserves, and vast potential in fisheries, forests, and hydrocarbons, stands as a land of immense opportunity at the heart of Africa."

HE Gideon said, "Africa’s food and beverage industry, valued at USD 313-billion, is projected to reach USD 1-trillion by 2030, offering immense opportunities for jobs, prosperity, and integration into the global economy. With agriculture still accounting for over 60% of Africa’s value chain, compared to 22% globally, investments in value-added processing and branded products are critical to unlock this potential. South Africa, with a strong food processing industry and key exports including wine, fruit juices, and food additives, recognises India, home to 1.4 billion people and one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, as a vital partner."

"It is encouraging to see such vibrant participation and meaningful exchanges that reaffirm India’s role as a fast-growing hub for food, beverage, and technology innovation," said Gerald Bose, president and chief executive officer, Koelnmesse GmbH

Commenting on the occasion, Milind Dixit said, "With the global food processing market projected to surpass USD 4-trillion by 2030 and India expected to emerge among the top three markets worldwide."

This year’s edition features a lineup of over 1,100 exhibitors and representation from industry-leading companies such as Parag Milk Food, Tata Consumer Products, Milky Mist, Chitale, Goldie Masala, DS Spiceco, Society Tea at Anuga Select India, whereas Anuga FoodTec India has representation from Syntegon, Mespack, Kiron Food Processing, Heat and Control, Alfa Laval, Kanchan Metals, and many more.  

Supporting the platform are associations such as the All India Food Processors’ Association (AIFPA), Association of Food Scientists & Technologists of India (AFSTI), Indian Flexible Packaging & Folding Carton Manufacturers Association (IFCA), and SIES School of Packaging. Strengthening the international connection, dedicated pavilions from Saudi Arabia, Germany, Thailand, Sri Lanka, South Africa, France, the USA, Italy, China, Australia, the Netherlands, Turkey, South Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Iran, and Taiwan are showcasing their innovations.

Reflecting on the opportunities in India’s food processing and ingredients sector, Nilesh Amritkar, managing director, Envirocare Labs said, "India’s food processing and ingredients sector is expanding at a healthy 8.8% CAGR and is set to double by 2030, establishing our country as the food factory of the world, from farm gate to global plate. At the same time, India’s food-tech ecosystem in areas like hardware, software, AI, cold chain, and precision processing is expected to outpace global benchmarks at over 14% CAGR by 2030. This shows how innovation is no longer important; India is now exporting food technology to the world.

Beyond the expansive show floor, there are a series of knowledge forums and interactive features. Anuga FoodTec India is also introducing a dedicated Product Launch Showcase — a platform where exhibitors unveil their latest innovations in food and beverage technology. From machinery to sustainable packaging solutions and breakthrough processing tools, visitors gain an exclusive first look at what’s launching live at the show.

The F&B Manufacturing Conference will spotlight automation, sustainability, and energy efficiency, while the Live Demo Factory will deliver hands-on demonstrations of advanced processing and packaging systems. The India Food Supply Summit convened policymakers, logistics experts, and supply chain leaders to deliberate on food security, cold chain efficiency, and AI-driven transformation. Adding to the vibrancy, the Culinary Corner featured chefs such as Zeba Kohli, Shipra Khanna, and Altamsh Patel, unveiling contemporary menu concepts for HoReCa and institutional buyers. The inaugural edition of ScaleUp Palate highlighted the journeys of India’s most dynamic food entrepreneurs from Chings, Rebel Foods, The Whole Truth, and Bartisans. Meanwhile, the Expert Zone enabled focused discussions on digital transformation, export preparedness, and the future of food safety.

On the outlook for India’s food processing and packaging machinery sector, Rajesh Nath, managing director, German Engineering Federation (VDMA) said, "India’s food processing and packaging machinery sector is on a strong growth path, with the processing equipment market projected to reach USD 1.5-billion by 2033 and packaging machinery expanding from USD 4.59-billion in 2023 to USD 6.62-billion by 2030. While India’s growth rates of 3.7% to 5.4% are slightly below global averages, the opportunities are immense given the scale of consumer demand and the rising need for automation, hygiene, and sustainable packaging.

German companies already play a vital role, accounting for nearly 42% of India’s imported packaging machinery, and are increasingly adapting solutions to local needs through modular designs, SME-friendly cost structures, and energy-efficient technologies. At the same time, Indo-German collaborations in R&D, technology transfer, and training are paving the way for advanced automation, predictive maintenance, and eco-friendly packaging solutions to be developed for Indian conditions.

Gajendra Nagar, joint managing director, VRS Foods (Paras Dairy), said, "Recently, we launched our Galacia Cheese portfolio in March, designed specifically for our HORECA partners, QSR, and institutional kitchens. While we began with a focused presence in North India, as part of our expansion strategy, we are now entering the western and southern markets." To support this growth, VRS Foods has invested over INR 100-crore in setting up a cheese plant in Maharashtra. Looking ahead, the group plans to bring Galacia Cheese to retail outlets within the next six to eight months, with the vision of becoming one of the top five cheese players in India.

In terms of retail presence, we are already among the leading brands in the fresh dairy category, which includes milk, buttermilk, paneer, and ghee. With the addition of cheese in retail, we aim to increase the retail segment’s contribution to 40% of our overall revenue.”

Launching their range of products, Rohit Kharbanda, founder and director, Lyallji Foods (India), said, "At Anuga FoodTec India and Anuga Select India 2025, we are excited to showcase Lyallji Foods’ wide range of snacks, bakery products, and sweets — from namkeen, fox nuts, and millet-based innovations to desi ghee sweets like chana barfi, laddu, and our famous peanut gachak." With 60% of Lyallji's business in India and 40% exports to markets like Canada, the USA, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, the group aims to expand into the GCC and African regions while strengthening our presence in Indian metros. Backed by its Ludhiana facility, strict quality controls, and use of healthier oils like cottonseed, groundnut, and pure desi ghee, this expo is an opportunity to connect with the right partners and take Lyallji’s authentic Indian taste to new geographies.