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In rapidly-growing food processing sector, convenience prevalent trend
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Wednesday, 29 October, 2014, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Abhitash Singh, Mumbai
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fiogf49gjkf0d The Indian food processing industry is growing rapidly and industry experts opine that convenience is one of the main trends at present. This is attributable to the flexible working hours, an increase in the number of working women across the globe, and a rise in the number of single households. It is convenience that is driving the demand for products that are easy to handle.
Kalpesh Kumar, owner, Jay Pharma Equipment Pvt Ltd, said, “As far as food processing machinery and equipment manufacturers are concerned, there is no new agenda or trend right now. But hygiene, energy consumption and the saving of resources are at the top of the list. Keeping the interests of the consumers in mind, hygiene is of major importance in the food processing industry.”
“In order to clean the machinery easily, its components and lines have to be constructed in such a way that it prevents dirt and micro-organisms from taking hold. In a food processing machinery and equipment industry, hygienic design is key, because it is beneficial for processing, filling and packaging lines for companies in the food and drinks industry,” he added.
“Hygienic design eliminates microbiological risks, and enables a quicker and simpler cleaning of the machines,” Kumar said, adding, “The machinery and equipment available in India are expensive. So manufacturers and big food processing companies import food processing and machinery equipment in bulk from China because it is cheaper.”
At a recent event in Mumbai, food processing minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal said, “In India, the technology used in food processing machinery and equipment is outdated. So we are dependent on international machinery and equipment to increase our output. We are putting in efforts to make prime minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Make in India products come true.”
“This can be achieved by starting the manufacturing of the machinery and equipment for the food processing industry in India, and for that we would be having tie-ups with the international companies manufacturing machinery and equipment for food processing sector,” she added.
Chetan Gosrani, joint managing director, Goma Engineering Pvt Ltd, Thane, said, “The demand for critical technology is on the rise, because this region has ample opportunities in the food processing industry, and the reason the demand is rising for the technologies related to equipment and machinery for the same.”
According to industry estimates, the growth of the food processing equipment and machinery sector was around 25 per cent last year,” he added.
“In 2013-14, the Indian market for food processing industry equipment and machinery was worth $3.5 billion, and and it witnessed growth at the rate of approximately 10-15 per cent. But imported machinery accounts for over 90 per cent. In India, the food processing equipment starts at around Rs 20,000 for small- and medium-sized industries,” Gosrani said.
“The major country that exports equipment and machinery to India is the United States, followed by Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. They mainly provide three types of machinery (namely, processing machinery and equipment, packaging machinery and utility services),” he added.
Gosrani added, “Since the food processing industry is witnessing an expansion in northern India. The hilly regions of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are excelling in fruit juices, jams and dry fruit processing units.”
“Big states like Uttar Pradesh have zones for basmati rice and meat processing units in the western parts, and many processing units have come up in recent times in Bihar. To export the good quality of processed foods, there is a need for the right equipment and machinery to support the demand,” he added.
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