Pune: India’s food market is estimated at US$550–600 billion and growing at a healthy 6–7 per cent CAGR, experts said on Friday.
They said India was moving from a primary producer to a high-value global processing powerhouse to double agri-food exports beyond the current US$53 billion benchmark through value addition, market access unlocked by the India–EU Free Trade Agreement.
“The vital role of plant-based proteins, advanced processing technologies, and bilateral partnerships is ensuring global food security,” officials and industry leaders said on the sidelines of Anuga Select India and Anuga FoodTec India 2026 organized by Koelnmesse.
The co-located exhibitions were underway at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai, from September 29 to October 1, featuring over 1,100 exhibitors from 43 countries.
The platform spans the entire food value chain from ingredients and finished foods to processing, packaging, automation, and supply chain logistics.
“India’s food market is estimated at US$550–600 billion and growing at a healthy 6–7% CAGR, supported by economic growth and urbanization,” Devesh Deval, I.A.S, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, said.
“The government’s focus is to increase the level of processing across all 16 broad sub-sectors and ensure greater value reaches farmers,” he said, adding that cereals, meat, fruits and vegetables and dairy remain key segments.
Martina Englhardt-Kopf, vice minister, ministry of food and agriculture, Federal Republic of Germany, said ANUGA Select India provides an important platform for strengthening cooperation between India, Germany and Europe across food, agriculture and technology.
“The conclusion of the India–EU Free Trade Agreement is therefore an economically significant milestone, creating a market of around two billion people and liberalizing trade covering 99.3% of EU and 96.6% of India’s trade value,” she noted.
Milind Dixit, MD at India & SAARC Region, Koelnmesse Pvt Ltd, said India’s food processing industry is entering an important phase of expansion, driven by rising domestic consumption, greater value addition, technology adoption and stronger integration with global markets.
“The sector had already reached around US$382 billion in FY2025 and is projected to approach US$689 billion by FY2034, while processed food now accounts for more than 20% of India’s agricultural exports,” he noted.