15th International FoodTech India 2016 in Kolkata

15^th International FoodTech India 2016 in Kolkata

Eastern India's largest annual business-to-business (B2B) exhibition on food and hospitality industry – the 15^th International Food Tech India Bakery Tech & Hotel Tech Exhibition – was flagged off today at the Milan Mela Exhibition Complex in Kolkata. The exhibition will be held from August 26 to 28, 2016. Over 100 foreign and Indian companies and global brands are participating in the Exhibition spread over 100,000 sq ft area displaying their latest products and technology. The West Bengal Government is also participating in the Exhibition in a big way.

“The 15^th Food Tech India 2016 this year has gathered a new dimension with the Indian Government allowing 51% FDI in multi-brand retail and clearing investment proposals worth Rs 19,000 cr for joint ventures, collaborations, industrial licences and 100% export-oriented-units (EoUs). Many foreign companies have evinced interest in India and are scouting for business opportunities in the food and hospitality sector. Food Tech India 2016 offers a perfect B2B platform for foreign and Indian companies in the areas of food production, food packaging, food and the hospitality sector,” said Mr Zakir Hossain, Regional Head of N K Kapur & Company and the Chief Convener of the International Exhibition.

India's food and hospitality sector together is growing at a rate of 17% per annum with Kolkata emerging as a hub in the eastern region. India is the second largest food producer in the world but accounts for less than two per cent of the International food trade. “With Government policy changes and technological innovation and transfer, India's share in International food trade is like to grow rapidly in the coming years creating multifaceted opportunities for growth and collaborations. The food habits of Indians are changing and with rising per capita income and new class of buyers have emerged in the food sector. People have become more hygiene and quality conscious. In order to cater to this new generation of buyers the Food & Horticulture Industry has been going through a huge diversification,” Mr Hossain said.

Some of the biggest multinational brands like Adani Wilmar, Cargil India, Morde Chocolate, Salva Italy, AB Mauri, Bunge India, VKL Seasonings, Tata Chemicals, Danisco Singapore, Frigerito Allana, DP Chocolate, etc would be participating at the 15^th International Food Tech India 2016 Kolkata.

The mega exhibition will showcase under one roof the latest products and services cutting across hotel, confectionery, equipment, catering equipment, tableware, food packaging technology, food flavours and additives, industrial refrigeration, hotel and food chain consumables & Bengali Sweet & snacks.

Food Tech India 2016 has three main segments namely Food Processing, Bakery & Confectionery and Hospitality sectors.  Over the three days of the Exhibition there would be seminars, conferences, product launches, buyer-seller meets, interactive sessions with students, culinary competitions and free-sampling. The Indian food industry, which is currently valued at US$ 39.71 billion is expected to grow at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11 per cent to US$65.4 billion by 2018. Food and grocery account for around 31 per cent of India’s consumption basket. The combined market growth in the hospitality, food processing and confectionery and bakery sector in West Bengal has been around 20 per cent per annum which is one of the highest in India.