India to Examine Export Potential of some Food items to China
Due to various historical factors and structural reasons the trade deficit between India and China has been steadily widening and now stands at $36.21 billion. Presently India exports raw materials and imports finished goods. To reduce the widening trade gap India is exploring the export potential of various foods like dairy food products, marine, fresh as well as processed products, buffalo meat and cereals. Another sector where India would like to collaborate with China is the tourism sector.
The forthcoming global food and beverage event ‘SIAL China’ is going to be held in Shanghai, during May 6-8 in which about 60 Indian firms will be participating. Speaking at a press conference to announce the event, Chinese Chief of Mission said that China would like to see more Indian companies even though Indian companies have strong competition in China. The Director Commerce Ministry of India, also present at the conference, said that tariff barriers and regulatory issues have limited the export of engineering goods, pharmaceuticals and farm products to China.
Food, Energy and Water Requirements to Increase Considerably by 2050
Speaking at the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture in Berlin Director General FAO said that the need for food is likely to increase by 60% water 40% and energy 50% by 2050. According to him the present agricultural model is no longer sustainable and the world will have to make a shift in food production. They will need to use natural resources like water, energy and land more efficiently and reduce food waste.
The competition between growing food and bio-fuels has brought to the front conflicts over land use. He said that in order to prevent food shortage a mandatory bio-fuel policy was required. The policy needs to be flexible keeping in mind the balance of food production and stocks of various products.
‘Gulfood’ 2015 to take place at Dubai World Trade Centre in February
Gulfood 2015 will host World Food Security Summit from February 8 to 12 at the Dubai World Trade Centre where global food security, action plan and policies are likely to be addressed. Also on the anvil is the Halal Investment Conference which accounts for about one-fifth of the world food trade and is of increasing financial importance for the global food and beverage industry. A dedicated platform, The Food Franchising Forum, will see franchisors, franchisees and investors sharing insights about this growth driver in the regional hospitality market.
Gulfood is a platform for exchange of knowledge for many food related sectors and for high volume trading. The event is likely to address key topics on global food industry so that the region and the world can have a secure and sustainable food future. Regional issues of concern for the GGC are heavy reliance of imports, population growth, an increase in the demand for animal protein, diminishing water supply and food security of relevance to the region.
Haryana based Anant Fresh Launches E-commerce Platform
For the convenience of the consumers Anant Fresh Pvt. Ltd has launched an e-commerce site of international standards. Consumers can access the products available in 500 local shops and place their orders for fresh grocery, fruit, vegetables, dairy products, confectionery, packaged food and personal care products in major Haryana cities. These will be delivered within 24 hours.
Long office hours, traffic jams have dictated these changes in consumer behaviour and buying preferences which have in turn given impetus to e-commerce. Anant Fresh online service is of international standards and they intend to extend their online services to villages also.
Startup: Gourmet Delicacy Introduces new Food Products
Indian markets will soon find a new international brand on the market known as ‘Gourmet Delicacy.’ The brand is the Indian offshoot of ‘Gormetious Foods’ and is based in Rajkot. Having begun with Mediterranean cuisine the start up is all set to bring Arabic, Lebanese, Mediterranean, Mexican, American and other Middle-Eastern cuisine to restaurants and hotels in India.
Started by an Indian Israeli couple the company intends to work in HoReCa (hotels, restaurants and catering) sector and would prefer to be backend service providers. Presently they have launched products like creamy peanut butter, crunchy peanut butter, tahini, hummus (Houmous) and baba ghanouj.
Sankalp to introduce new Off-the-shelf Food Products
Sankalp is all set to venture into the food retailing sector with their new ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook processed foods and will compete for the market share enjoyed by MTR, GITS and McCain. The company has been supplying frozen curries and pastes to its restaurant chains in India US, UK, Australia, Canada, West Asia and other institutional buyers but now intends to include B2C model along with B2B model it is presently following.
They intend to open 500 more outlets which would be a mix of company owned and franchised outlets in order to get a sizeable market. Backed by its restaurant chains the company’s 30% year on year growth is what is attracting PEs. Though they have not patented their popular Mangalore sambar they have had restaurants closed that were using Sankalp as a brand. They have no intention of revealing the secret ingredients of their best selling sambar!
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