“Growing aspirations and quality consciousness among India’s rapidly growing middle class make the market more demanding. Clearly, the Indian retail needs to modernise fast to keep pace with the changing Indian consumer, said Kamal Nath, minister of commerce and industry, government of India.
Nath shared his views in relation to the forthcoming Food Forum India (FFI), 2009, the second edition of the annual food industry magnum opus from the Images Group, which will be held at The Renaissance, Mumbai on March 19-20, 2009.
“This is especially important in the food sector. India is among the largest producers of fresh fruits and vegetables, but looses over 40 per cent of her precious produce due to inefficient supply chain. We all need to come together to contain these massive losses,” added the Union minister.
Supported by the ministry of food processing industries, government of India, FFI 2009 will be the largest congregation of key global and Indian food brands, retailers and restaurants, manufacturers, organisations and minds in the food business. It will span the vast array of food business segments – farm to plate – production and processing, warehousing, packaging, logistics and support, food services and IT.
“The need of the hour is to visualise the future, and plan accordingly. I urge the industry to develop long term perspectives, and to invest innovation and invention in the tremendous opportunities waiting to be captured in India’s vast agricultural and food & grocery retail sectors,” concluded Nath.
The event will comprise of a conference, an exhibition, CEOs conclaves and a glittering Coca Cola Golden Spoon Awards ceremony.
— IndiaRetailing Bureau
