Food Processing

India's vast agrarian sector is the world's 2nd largest producer of food grains, fruits and vegetables.

Last updated: September 8, 2025

India recorded 15% rise in export of agricultural and processed food products in April-October

$46.4 Billion

India's export of agricultural and processed food products in 2023-24

5.35%

average annual growth rate of the Food Processing sector over the last 8 years, ending in 2022-23.

12.41%

employment in the total registered/organized sector is provided by the food processing sector

323 MMT

Production in FY23, showcasing India’s agricultural capacity.

95% share of cereal exports

Accounted for by rice (Basmati & Non-Basmati), with key export destinations including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Benin, UAE, and Vietnam.

41 Mega Food Parks (24 operational)

With a combined processing capacity exceeding 4 MMT (MoFPI).

76 Agro-Processing Clusters

With a sanctioned capacity of over 2 MMT.

400 Cold Chain Projects

Adding more than 35 MMT of storage and preservation capacity.

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana

Announcements related to farmers
Agriculture Export Policy

Framed with a focus on agriculture export oriented production, export promotion, better farmer realization and synchronization with policies and programmes of GoI, the Policy will also give a big push to food processing/manufacturing.
Scheme for Creation / Expansion of Food Processing & Preservation Capacities (CEFPPC)

The main objective of the scheme is creation of processing and preservation capacities and modernization /expansion of existing food processing units which will help in increasing the level of processing, value addition and thereby lead to reduction of wastage and enhancement of farmers’ income.
Mega Food Park Scheme

Based on extensive feedback and consultations with various stakeholders, the earlier scheme of Food Parks during the 10th Five Year Plan was revised and reformulated as the Mega Food Parks Scheme (MFPS) during the 11th Five Year Plan.
Dairy Processing & Infrastructure Development Fund

The project will focus on building an efficient milk procurement system.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana

PM Kisan SAMPADA Yojana is a comprehensive package which will result in creation of modern infrastructure with efficient supply chain management from farm gate to retail outlet.

NABARD affordable Credit

Loan is extended by NABARD from the fund to various categories of promoters in food processing sector.
Nivesh Bandhu - Food Regulatory Portal

The Food Regulatory Portal aims to aid global and Indian food companies to explore business opportunities in India.
Integrated Cold Chain Projects

The objective of the scheme is to provide integrated cold chain, preservation and value addition infrastructure facilities without any break.
Agro Processing Cluster

The scheme aims at development of modern infrastructure and common facilities to encourage group of entrepreneurs to set up food processing units based on cluster approach by linking groups of producers/ farmers to the processors and markets through well-equipped supply chain with modern infrastructure.

National Fisheries Policy

The Indian fisheries sector is set in a unique and diverse set of resources ranging from the pristine waters of the Himalayas to the sprawling Indian Ocean.
Nivesh Bandhu

An Investor Facilitation Portal to be Launched during World Food India 2017
Operations Greens

In the of Union Budget 2018-19, a new Scheme “Operation Greens” was announced on the line of “Operation Flood”, with an outlay of Rs.500bn to promote Farmer Producers Organizations (FPOs #), agri-logistics, processing facilities and professional management.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana

Proposals are invited under Scheme for Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure of PRADHAN MANTRI KISAN SAMPADA YOJANA for setting up Integrated Cold Chain Projects in the country.
Scheme for Formalization of Micro food processing Enterprises

The unorganized food processing sector in the country comprising nearly 2.5mn food processing enterprises which are unorganized and unregistered.

Phase I of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana

The first phases of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP) spread across the March - June 2020 period saw the distribution of over 111.52 LMT of food grain to 73 crore beneficiaries.

Implementation of the Consumer Protection Act 2019

The Act will facilitate the creation of the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) to protect the rights of consumers and regulate the e-commerce,

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana

The policy is expected to foster responsible development in the fisheries sector through the Blur Revolution.

Scheme for formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (FME)

The scheme aims to empower the sector through improved financial access, integration of the unorganized sector and providing impetus to production in tribal districts among others.
Bill to amend the Essential Commodities Act

The amendment to the Act would allow the Central Government to regulate food supply in extraordinary circumstances including natural calamities, famine and war.

PLIs announced as part of Aatmanirbhar Bharat 3.0

Production Linked Incentives for ten sectors have been announced as part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat 3,0 stimulus package.
Launch of projects worth US$ 3bn

Seven projects aimed at strengthening the Agro-Processing Cluster (APC) have been launched by the government in States including Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Karnataka and Gujarat,

PLI Scheme for Food Processing Industry

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Central Sector Scheme - "Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI)" to support creation of global food manufacturing champions commensurate with India's natural resource endowment and support Indian brands of food products in the international markets .
MoU signed between Spices Board India and UNDP

Spices Board India under Ministry of Commerce and Industry andUNDP India’s Accelerator Lab today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with the aim to build a blockchain based traceability interface for Indian spices to enhance transparency in supply chain and trade.

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India

011-24369458

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FSSAI regulates manufacturing, storage, distribution, sale and import of food products to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority

+91-11-26513204, 26513219,

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Leads development of industries relating to the scheduled products for export by way of providing financial assistance or otherwise for undertaking surveys and feasibility studies.

National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management

+91-130-2281060

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The institute intends to act as a centre of excellence and an apex world class centre of global standards in the area of food technology and management.

All India Food Processors' Association

+91 11 26510860, 41550860

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To promote, encourage and support Indian food processing industries and raise the technical standards, product quality and safety to match global standards.

Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer's Welfare

+91 11 23382651

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The ministry is the apex body for formulation and administration of the rules and regulations and laws related to agriculture in India.

List of institutions - Dairy, Meat, Fish

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Ministry of Food Processing Industries

Investment Opportunities

  • Mega and medium food park projects and related infrastructure.
  • Cold chain and logistics infrastructure to support the food industry.
  • Packaging of dry food, beverages, meats, fish, vegetables and fruits.
  • Agri-technology research and innovation for improved production.
Useful Links:

Key Investors

India has a well-oiled enterprise promoting machinery that is backed by strong legislative, judiciary, executive and capital establishments

Nestle - World's largest food company manufactures and markets in India

Kraft Heinz, an American food giant, produces and markets a range of products in India, under its portfolio of global brands

Hindustan Unilever produces and supplies a variety of ready-made products

Pepsi manufactures cereals, beverages and packaged snacks in India

CoaCola manufactures beverages, fruit juices, frozen desserts in India

Del Monte markets sauces, fruit drinks, pasta, exotic fruits and vegetables

ENABLING ENVIRONMENT

India has a well-oiled enterprise promoting machinery that is backed by strong legislative, judiciary, executive, and capital establishments

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