Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the three-day mega food event ‘World Food India 2023’ at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. Over 1,200 exhibitors and participants from over 80 countries participated in it. The theme for the event was 'Processing For Prosperity'.

 

Gujarat, as a state renowned for its investor-friendly policies in the food processing and agro sector, participated in World Food India as a partner state. On the first day, the state organised a knowledge session on the theme: Food Processing – A Sun Rise Sector of Amrit Kaal, which was followed by an elaborate exhibition with food samples and insights of the sector. The partner state exhibition and knowledge session was organised by Indext-A, which is a dedicated cell of the Government of Gujarat to foster investments in the agribusiness sector of Gujarat, under the aegis of the Department of Agriculture.

 

The knowledge session was inaugurated by Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Cow Breeding and Fisheries, Government of Gujarat, Raghavji Patel. During his address, he said, 'Gujarat's food processing sector has seen a notable upward trend in recent years and has attracted investors due to climate, connectivity and ease of doing business. The state shall look forward to hosting you at Gujarat Pavilion.'Prior to it, he attended the Prime Minister’s session and did an inauguration of the stall.

 

In the flow of events, opening remarks were delivered by A K Rakesh, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture, Farmer Welfare and Cooperation Department, Government of Gujarat. He shared, 'Gujarat's notable strength in the dairy sector includes. its extensive network of milk cooperative, 18,000 village-level milk societies and 3.6 million milk producer members. Gujarat has been ranked the 4th largest milk-producing state in India.'

 

The session showed presentation from Secretary, APEDA, Dr Sudhanshu who spoke about Exports of Processed Foods from Gujarat: 'A Cluster Approach.'

 

It was followed by an insight from Amaan Khan, brand VP, HUL, on New Vistas of Food Processing Sector in New India. He said 'Peanut butter has seen an enormous growth in India. It is a #3000 crore category. It is a rapidly growing category and also the most affordable category and Gujarat accounts for 44 per cent of peanut butter production in India.'

 

Pranav Doshi, Director, Gujarat Mega Food Park, spoke on 'Enabling Ecosystem for Food Processing Sector in Gujarat.' During his presentation, he said, 'Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation (GAIC), promotes agricultural activities at the ground level and has helped create many facilities for post-harvest management such as the integrated pack house, Gamma radiation facility, and centre for perishable at Ahmedabad among others.'

 

The audience were invited to the Pre-Vibrant Summit on December 7, 2023, in Amul Auditorium, Anand, Gujarat. The theme of the event is based on the theme of 'Leveraging Infrastructure Strengths of Gujarat for Agro and Food Sector' and it is a prelude to upcoming Vibrant Gujarat.

The first-ever shipments of 77 tonnes of potatoes have arrived from India for domestic consumption in Bangladesh - traditionally an exporter of the root vegetable - amid government efforts to ease the price.

 

A company named Gore International of Chapainawabganj brought two trucks of potatoes through Sona Masjid land port on Thursday after getting the government’s approval.

 

The company did not want to disclose the import cost. The agriculture ministry said the government has granted permission for imports of 107,000 tonnes of potatoes in three days starting on Tuesday.

 

Abu Bakar Siddique, the manager of Arham Nitex which is among the firms that got the permission to import potatoes, said they would start imports after analysing the volatile market by taking into consideration a 33 percent duty on potato imports.

 

Potatoes are now being sold at Tk 60 to Tk 80 (USD 0.55 to 0.73) per kg in Dhaka markets – the highest in the country's history. In India, one kg of potato costs 20 rupees. Potato prices have seen a sharp increase recently despite "sufficient" production in Bangladesh.

 

It produced 11.1 million tonnes of potatoes last season against the annual demand of around 8 million tonnes. Traders also exported 13,000 tonnes of potatoes at the beginning of this year.

 

Earlier, 68,773 tonnes of potatoes were exported in the 2020-21 season while the government approved permission to export 78,910 tonnes in 2021-22. This time the government has given permission to import 50,000 tonnes of potatoes in two days.

Eager to grab a slice of the half billion-dollar global orchid market, the state horticulture department has launched the Tropical Orchids Production project. It is being touted as a game-changer for floriculturistsacross the state. A sprawling naturally-ventilated polyhouse or orchid garden, open to tourists and orchid aficionados, has been set up in Jalpaiguri’s Mohitnagar.

 

Beneficiaries in Darjeeling and Kalimpong are being provided subsidies and training to replicate the project as Bengal awaits bumper crops in the next two to three years. It started in a derelict horticultural farm under the aegis of the West Bengal State Food Processing Horticulture Development Corporation Limited(WBSFPHDCL), which then signed an agreement with the Siliguri-based North Bengal Floritech. The Utsarika Horticulture Farm, now registered with the National Horticulture Board, and named Urvi-Zara, was set up. 'The demand for orchids, with their resplendent colours and complex designs, is driving the global market like never before,' said Subrata Gupta, additional chief secretary, state department of food processing industries and horticulture. As polyhouses made of steel tube are expensive, the horticulture department designed bamboo-based polyhouses for Rs 45,000, with Rs 22,500 as subsidy. But this, too, was beyond farmers’ means. The scheme was tweaked. The beneficiaries were asked to bring the bamboo from their own plantations. Components for the structureswere provided by the state government. Thus, 2,513 polyhouses have come up in the Hills. Another polyhouse is being planned at Mohitnagar.The revenue earned from these polyhouses would be ploughed back for the expansion of orchid cultivation in north Bengal, officials said.

 

Return airfares from Mumbai to north states soar for Diwali; Ranchi & Raipur hit Rs 40,000

Airfares for non-stop flights from Mumbai to northern states during Diwali week have been extremely high this year. Ranchi and Raipur have the highest fares, with return fares of Rs 40,000. Return fares to cities such as Prayagraj, Patna, Lucknow, Gaya, Darbhanga, and Agra have crossed Rs 30,000. However, fares to destinations like Goa, Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, and Hyderabad are under Rs 10,000. The high fares are due to the limited number of flights to northern destinations compared to southern cities.

Return airfares from Mumbai to north states soar for Diwali; Ranchi & Raipur hit Rs 40,000

Airfares for travel during the Diwali week from Mumbai to northern states have hit record highs this year. Return fares to cities like Ranchi and Raipur have reached Rs 40,000, while fares to other cities like Prayagraj, Patna, and Lucknow have crossed Rs 30,000. In contrast, fares to destinations like Goa and Hyderabad remain under Rs 10,000.

Odisha govt begins process for installation of Wi-Fi facilities in state public university campuses

The government of Odisha has initiated the process of installing Wi-Fi services at state public university campuses to improve the academic environment. The higher education department has requested universities to submit cost estimates for approval. Some universities, such as Utkal University and Rama Devi Womens University, have already implemented free Wi-Fi using university funds. The government aims to fulfill its promise of providing free Wi-Fi and 1 GB data for students, as stated in the ruling party's election manifesto.

Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) is preparing to host the 12th edition of The Speciality Food Festival, the MENA region’s only dedicated gourmet and fine food trade show. Taking place from  November 7-9, 2023, The Speciality Food Festival will offer influential buyers from the region’s fast-growing markets a platform to network and track down the right premium or niche product, while visitors will have the opportunity to uncover the latest news and emerging trends in the speciality food industry.

 

Bringing together industry leaders and decision makers from the retail, hospitality, food service, manufacturing, import/export and wholesale industries, the festival will tap into current food trends and address the opportunities and challenges across these sectors, focusing on six core themes: Vegan & Plant Based, Horeca & Food Service, Speciality Beverage, Health & Wellness, Artisan & Gourmet, Organic & Free-From.

 

Trixie LohMirmand, executive vice president, Dubai World Trade Centre, commented, “Gastronomy is booming both in Dubai and across MENA, evidenced for example by the arrival of world-renowned gastronomy guides Michelin and Gault et Millau in the region. Next month’s The Speciality Food Festival will continue to be a powerful driving force behind this boom, enabling buyers and visitors to encounter a huge variety of innovative and trend-led global speciality foods, exhibitors to showcase their product and service offerings, and all participants to build new business connections”.

 

Specialist buyers of premium products from across MENA will be able to discover a vast array of speciality foods from over 250 exhibitors, including global brands like Monin, Mamame Whole Foods and Truffle House. Exhibitors will display a dazzling array of products from sectors including artisanal and gourmet, plant-based and organic, and beverage including: award winning olive oils from Italy, Spain, Greece; 100-year-old traditional balsamic vinegars; olive preserves, pastes and pastas, caviar and family-owned handcrafted burrata and stracciatella. More than 25 countries will be represented on the show floor, including Italy, Egypt, Hong Kong, Greece, the Philippines, Korea and Singapore.

 

Top Table Gourmand

Gulfood stalwart Top Table will return to The Speciality Food Festival this year, with more than 40 interactive masterclasses from 20 homegrown chefs who are helping shape the region’s unique culinary identity. Big names set to give visitors first-hand experience of the latest culinary ideas and innovations include Chef Alessio Pirozzi, head chef at the Michelin-starred TornoSubito, Chef Kelvin Cheung of Jun’s, Chef Alexander Stumpf, executive chef & co-owner of BB Social Dining, Chef Roberto Segura, head of culinary at InfiniConcepts Agency and Tabu Dubai; and Chef Junior Nadje, founder of Diner Modern.

 

Youth X

Young, aspiring chefs are having an ever-growing influence on the regional and global gastronomic scene. To recognise and reward this contribution, YouthX will convene up and coming young chefs from four of the region’s leading hotels for the Young Chef Challenge, and give them a unique chance to showcase their culinary skills in a thrilling competition.

 

At a culinary casting earlier this month organised by YouthX partner the International Centre for Culinary Arts (ICCA), 10 teams were whittled down to four. The winning teams that have secured their spots in the regional finals and will face off at Top Table Gourmand on the second day of the The Speciality Food Festival, are Atlantis The Palm (Ossiano), led by Chef Gregoire; Jumeirah Mina A'salam, led by Chef Kevin; Kempinski Palm Dubai; and the SLS Dubai. The regional winners will then move forward to the international final at Gulfood next February.

In fact, the continent presents a convenient avenue for the country to grow its exports by leveraging on logistical advantages, relations and existing trade agreements.

 

In his recent column in The Sunday Mail, President Mnangagwa indicated that Africa provides the strongest defence of Zimbabwe’s interests.

 

He also said Zimbabwe would strive to unlock economic opportunities from its good relations with countries on the continent.

 

The country’s economic diplomacy agenda — being spearheaded by the Second Republic through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade — is expected to pave the way for local products across the continent.

 

The focus on Africa is not by chance. It is a deliberate strategy rooted in the realisation that the continent has abundant opportunities, most of which have been exploited by countries from other continents.

 

For example, Africa has a huge market for meat, but it imports most of it from outside the continent. According to Trade Map, Africa’s meat and edible offal import bill grew to US$4,7 billion in 2022, up from US$4,5 billion a year earlier.

 

The biggest exporters of meat and edible offal to the continent last year were Brazil (US$1,4 billion), India (US$711 million), the United States (US$691 million), Netherlands (US$212 million) and Poland (US$202 million).

 

Other exporters to Africa accounting for a sizeable share are Spain, Belgium, South Africa, Türkiye, Germany and the United Kingdom.

 

The fact that Africa is prepared to look across the world for meat and edible offal must excite livestock farmers.

 

Meat market in Africa

 

The meat market in Africa is huge.

 

Statistics show that the continent is failing to meet its own demand for the product, as most countries are sourcing it from other continents. Currently, Egypt is Africa’s biggest importer of meat and edible offal. Frozen bovine meat constitutes the largest share of the imports at around US$1 billion.

 

Other top imports from the sub-sector in Egypt in 2022 were edible offal (US$186 million), fowl meat and edible offal (US$90 million), fresh or chilled bovine meat (US$21,2 million), and sheep or goat meat (US$10,1 million).

 

Leading suppliers of Cairo last year were India, Brazil, the US, Australia, Sudan, Paraguay and Colombia.

 

Closer to Zimbabwe is Angola, which is the second-biggest importer of meat and offal in Africa.

 

According to Trade Map, the country’s imports grew from US$356 million in 2021 to US$578,9 million in 2022.

 

Of last year’s total import bill of meat and edible offal in Angola, fowls, specifically chickens, accounted for the largest share (US$405,5 million), followed by swine meat (US$76 million), edible offals (US$50 million) and bovine meat (US$31,7 million).

 

In terms of source markets, the bulk of meat imports in Angola come from the US (US$195 million), Brazil (US$193,8 million), Portugal (US$21,6 million), Netherlands (US$21,4 million) and Poland (US$21,3 million).

 

Other top countries that import meat to Angola include Germany, Argentina, Belgium, Italy and Spain.

 

Considering that Luanda has a huge market for meat and is willing to buy from other continents, local exporters can take advantage of distance to benefit from the situation.

 

Local companies can also ride on existing trade instruments — especially the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Trade, and the African Continental Free Trade Area.

 

South Africa is Africa’s third-largest importer and second largest in Southern Africa. However, South Africa’s imports have been fluctuating in recent years, recording US$403,6 million in 2022, US$524,3 million in 2021 and US$426 million in 2020.

 

Last year, imports of meat and edible offal in South Africa were largely made of fowl meat and edible offal (US$278,7 million), edible offal of other animals (US$54,5 million) and swine meat (US$51,7 million). Most of the meat imports in South Africa come from Brazil (US$222,8 million), the US, Argentina, Spain, the UK, Australia and Ireland.

 

In the SADC region, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has also been growing its meat imports, from US$99,1 million in 2021 to US$109,9 million in 2022.

 

ZimTrade — the national trade development and promotion organisation — has organised several programmes to link Zimbabwean exporters and buyers in the DRC, where interest in local products has been growing.

 

Engagements with leading buyers have shown a huge market for Zimbabwean beef in provinces such as Kinshasa, Haut-Katanga, Lualaba and Haut-Lomami.

 

Currently, most imports of meat and edible offal in the DRC come from Poland, Netherlands, Brazil, Belgium, Germany and Italy.

 

As it stands, there are buyers in the DRC that are prepared to import meat from Zimbabwe.

 

Local exporters who can supply consistently can engage ZimTrade for linkages with the leading distributors.

Aimed at making Kerala a carbon-neutral state, the government is considering introducing a multi-crop system in the plantations, according to P Prasad, State Agriculture Minister.

 

Addressing the annual general meeting of the Association of Planters of Kerala (APK), the Minister called upon planters to introduce more value-added products from plantations in the market so as to remain competitive. Plantation crops can provide a major revenue contribution to the State’s economy.

 

He also assured the planters body of extending government support to the sector for their meaningful demands.

 

K Mathew Abraham, Vice President, United Planters Association of South India (Upasi), said that he urged the government to give the freedom to convert a large percentage of their land under plantations for alternate crops and other activities. Alternate crops will provide a cushion for economic sustainability when traditional crops are not performing well in the market.

 

He suggested the introduction of a robust policy mechanism to integrate agroforestry in Kerala plantations so that the State can become a leading timber producer and exporter. This will enable employment generation, climatic resilience, and soil and water conservation besides saving a huge foreign exchange for the country. More area in plantations would be allowed for silviculture for the survival and sustainability of the plantations, he added.

 

A K Jaleel, the outgoing chairman, said that he urged the government to permit 30 per cent of the plantation area to take up agro-based products and agroforestry. He added that such a step would make Kerala, which is perennially importing fruits, vegetables, and cereals, a self-sufficient state. He pointed out that scientific and technical research is the need of the hour in the sector to increase productivity for which the government should create a special purpose fund.

 

The annual general meeting elected Prince Thomas George of Kanan Devan Hills Plantations Co Ltd as the new chairman of APK, while T R Radhakrishnan of Aspinwall & Company will be the vice chairman.

To promote export of agriculture and allied sector products from Arunachal Pradesh, the state Agriculture Marketing Board has inked an MoU with Dubai-based Lulu Hypermarket. The MoU was signed in New Delhi on Friday on the sidelines of the World Food India 2023 event, officials said. Taking to X,CM Pema Khandu said, 'Delighted to share that Arunachal Pradesh Agriculture Marketing Board has signed a five-year MoU with Lulu Hypermarket LLC, Dubai, UAE, for supply of oranges and vegetables to Gulf countries.' 

 

Election Commission inks MoU to take electoral literacy to classrooms

 

The Election Commission of India has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Education to educate school and college students about electoral literacy. Under this agreement, electoral education will be integrated into the curriculum for students in classes 6-12 and at colleges and universities. The initiative aims to prepare students for their first vote and instill democratic values in their minds. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar stressed the importance of educating young voters so they can make informed choices in a democracy.

SRM AP signs MOU with University of South Florida

SRM University-AP has signed an MOU with the University of South Florida to promote research, student exchanges, faculty interactions, and cultural engagement. The partnership will facilitate academic exchanges, joint research initiatives, and collaborative projects. Both institutions aim to provide students and faculty with global exposure and world-class research opportunities. The MOU will leverage the strengths and resources of both universities for the benefit of their respective communities.

Tata Passenger Electric Mobility signs MoU with JLR for licencing global EV platform

Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd (TPEM) and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) have signed an agreement for the licensing of JLR's electric modular architecture (EMA) platform. TPEM will pay a royalty fee for access to the platform, which will be used for the development of TPEM's premium pure electric vehicles series Avinya. The EMA platform will also be used by JLR for its next generation of pure electric mid-sized SUVs. The partnership will help TPEM enter the high-end EV segment and reduce development time and costs.

To boost exports of agricultural products to the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCCs), the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with global retail major Lulu Hypermarket LLC. The MoU, which is aimed at promoting Brand India globally was signed in the presence of Chairman, APEDA, Shri Abhishek Dev and Chairman-cum-Managing Director of LuLu Group, Mr Yusuf Ali MA at the World India Food (WIF) 2023 on November 3, 2023 in New Delhi.

 

With the MoU, APEDA would promote Indian agricultural products, including Millets across the GCC as the LuLu Group International (LLC) has its presence across the GCC, Egypt, India and the Far East with 247 LuLu stores in operation and 24 shopping malls. The LuLu Group is the fastest growing retail chain in the Middle East and Asia.

 

The MoU will also facilitate promotional activities for APEDA’s scheduled products with the LuLu Hyper market retail chain. As per the MoU document, Lulu Group will actively promote and showcase a wide range of products in APEDA basket of agricultural and processed food products in their retail outlets.

 

A dedicated shelf space (special sections or aisles) will be allocated within LuLu Group’s stores to display APEDA’s products prominently and to enhance their visibility.

 

APEDA and LuLu Group will engage with consumers through interactive events, sampling/tasting campaigns, season specific campaigns for fruits and vegetables, new product launch and the promotion of products arising from Himalayan/North Eastern States, organic products, etc.

 

APEDA also facilitated signing of MoUs of Arunachal Pradesh Marketing Board, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology, Jammu and Meghalaya Agricultural Marketing Board with Lulu group aimed at boosting exports potential from Himalayan and North Eastern states. 

 

The promotional activities will enable maximum dissemination of information and awareness about the benefits of ethnic, unique, and GI- tagged agri-products to the consumers in the destination country. Further feedback from consumers will be actively sought to improve product offerings.

 

The MoU also stated that APEDA and LuLu Group would jointly work to explore opportunities to facilitate the export of agri products through its international network of stores, thereby expanding the global reach of Indian agricultural products and accessibility to consumers.

 

Both APEDA and LuLu Group would jointly facilitate export-oriented promotional programmes such as Buyer-Seller meets (BSM), R-BSMs/B2B meetings, trade fairs/road shows in association with the Indian Missions abroad and concerned stakeholders.

 

LuLu Group will provide its assistance in the labelling of products according to the requirements of different importing countries, the MoU paper said, adding that both the parties would mutually decide the commercial matters and applicable terms.

A total of 61,950 pieces of eggs entered the land port on a Sunday evening, and more shipments are expected to follow, as confirmed by representatives of the importers. 

 

BDS Corporation, a Bangladeshi importer located in the West Rampura area of Dhaka, received permission to import 1 crore eggs but has, for now, brought in only 61,950 eggs. 

 

According to the invoice, the total cost of the imported eggs was $2,988.40, which translates to an import price of Tk5.43 per egg. 

 

However, once various expenses such as import duty, C&F charges, transport costs, and other fees are factored in, the price of each egg stands at Tk9.50 in Bangladesh.

 

To mitigate the escalating prices of eggs, the government permitted 15 companies to import a total of 15 crore eggs in several phases last September. Of these, four companies were granted permission on September 18 to import four crore eggs.

 

These imported eggs are expected to be retailed at the government-set price of Tk12 per piece, according to Md Haider Ali, the public relations officer of the commerce ministry.

 

Haider Ali also explained that the delay in the arrival of the eggs was due to challenges in obtaining certification from the exporting country's competent authority, ensuring that there was no avian influenza present.

 

Several conditions have been imposed on each shipment of imported eggs, including the requirement for a certificate proving freedom from avian influenza or the bird flu virus, as well as the absence of harmful bacteria. These certificates must be provided by the exporting country's government, and importers are obligated to pay the prescribed duties or taxes determined by the government, he added. 

 

Rezaul Karim, the acting director of the Benapole land port, stated that the port authority is actively assisting in expediting the release of the imported egg consignments from India. 

 

Since there is no egg testing equipment available at the port, clearance of the egg consignments is based on certificates issued by Indian authorities.

 

Each dozen eggs were sold for Tk150 in the markets of the capital city on Monday.

Issues related to developing collaboration in agri-food products between Greece and India were discussed at meetings of Greek Agricultural Development & Foods Lefteris Avgenakis with Ministers Parshottam Rupala (Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries) and Piyush Goyal (Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution) during his visit to New Delhi on Friday.

 

According to a Greek ministry statement, Avgenakis discussed among other things the exchange of technical know-how with Minister Rupala while they agreed on exchanges of business delegations to strengthen collaboration between the two countries. They also discussed the issue of new certifications for Greek dairy products exported to India.

 

Avgenakis then met with Minister Goyal. At talks with both ministers, the Greek official discussed the creation at a Greek port of a Center of Safety and Origination for imports of Indian products to Europe and the Middle East. This would certify the safety of Indian foods imported into Greece and the European Union, the statement said.

 

Among other issues of mutual interest discussed were sectors such as water and irrigation infrastructure, foods and the export of Greek kiwi fruits, oranges and apples to India, and herbs and pharmaceutical plants.

 

As Avgenakis said, Greece and India have common values and inerests, which forms a strong foundation to boost trade relations in agri-food.

 

On Saturday, Avgenakis is scheduled to meet with Minister of Food Processing Industries, Pashupati Kumar Paras, at the exhibition center Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.