Food Processing In f&b Industry

The Indian food processing industry plays a significant role in the country's F&B industry by providing the restaurants with a consistent supply of ingredients and aids it in reducing the preparation time as well as ensuring consistency in the palate. The food processing industry's support helps the restaurants to focus on service and thus enhance the customer experience while, at the same time lowering costs and expanding menu options. Ashok Malkani while presenting an all-embracing view of the industry provides details of how it offers an enterprising entrepreneur opportunity to venture into this prospering industry.

- Ashok Malkani

India's Food and Beverage (F&B) sector, driven by urbanisation, rising disposable incomes and changing consumer preferences, due to increased international travel, is on a remarkable growth trajectory and, according to UJA, projected to grow at compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7% from 2024 to 2030, According to GourPro India's food and beverage market is on fire, growing faster than ever. Valued at $332 billion in 2023 to more than double, reaching over $691 billion by 2030.

There has been an enormous growth in the F&B outlets in the country. It may be pointed out that this growth has been made possible due to the assistance of the food processing industry. One may ask how the food processing industry is responsible for the growth of F&B industry? There are several factors for this. Some of them are:

Steady Supply: A steady flow of ingredients, regardless of seasonal variations or weather conditions. Restaurants can rely on pre-processed vegetables, fruits, grains, and other items, minimizing disruptions to their operations.

Reduced Preparation Time and Labor Costs: Due to Pre-cut vegetables, precooked sauces, and ready-to-bake items, the meal preparation time and labour costs are reduced.

Food safety: As food processing facilities adhere to strict hygiene and quality control standards risk of foodborne disease is reduced.

Extended shelf life helps reduce wastage: As compared to fresh ingredients processed foods have longer shelf life reducing wastage. Thus one can purchase ingredients in bulk resulting in cost savings.

All these advantages would increase F&B industry's support to the food processing segment which, in turn, is likely to attract intrepid entrepreneurs (including restaurateurs) to invest in the food processing industry.

Progress of Processing industry