Home to one of the most popular and diverse food traditions in the world, India is hoping to translate its culinary prowess into export earnings by moving into the lucrative and fast-growing global market for processed foods.

India’s Agricultural and Processed Food Exports Development Authority (APEDA) had its largest ever participation at the biennial Gulf Food, Hotel and Equipment Exhibition  in Dubai in February.
The recently established authority, a government initiative, is currently eyeing the Middle East market.
The Indian Pavilion, organised jointly by APEDA, the Indian Ministry of Agriculture, the Tea Board of India, the Spices Board of India and housing 15 governmental and non-governmental bodies, covered  more than 185 sq m of pavilion space, a 300 per cent jump from the previous Indian presence at Gulfood.
The 10th Gulfood exhibition, the premier industry exhibition of its kind in the region, housed more than 35 national pavilions from the US to Portugal, and Jordan to China.
Among the top draws at the Indian Pavilion were products ranging from honey to basmati rice to emerging trends such as ready-to-eat Indian ethnic foods.
Apart from the specialty products from the Indian Tea Board and Spices Board, APEDA displayed its full range of Indian processed food products; and the Ministry of Agriculture showcased the country’s latest agricultural initiatives.
Currently, the Middle East accounts for 16 per cent of the market for Indian processed foods, a figure that  officials hope to boost by capitalising on the large population of Indian expatriates in the region and long-standing political, economic and cultural ties between India and the Middle East.
“There is a definite shift in the mindset of the Middle East ministries towards the food industry in India,” said APEDA general manager A S Rawat.
“A few years ago, this region had extremely strict rules and regulations towards Indian exports like meat, but now they are very open to our products and more aware of our quality. We estimate tremendous growth potential in this market in coming years.”
The Indian pavilion at the 10th Gulfood reflected the country’s diversity and ethnicity, with products encompassing every possible region, he said.
The exhibition also marked the start of a renewed economic focus for the Indian government in the food processing industry.
“We are making substantial efforts to showcase India as a major investment destination for food processing industries,” said Rawat.
“In India, this industry is growing by 17 per cent per year, and the government is keen on pushing this as a growth area.
“For us, Gulfood 2005 was the perfect platform not only for Indian companies to target promising markets across the Middle East and beyond, but it was also an opportunity to showcase what we have been able to achieve and what we can help other nations and manufacturers to achieve.”