MUMBAI, India: "Fi India 2011", South Asia's leading exhibition & conference for the food ingredients and food processing industry, organised by UBM India, was inaugurated successfully by Shri Satej Patil, State Minister for Home, Rural Development and Food & Drug Administration, Maharashtra. The sixth edition of the 2 day exhibition & conference opened today at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Goregaon, Mumbai. "India's total processing strength of it produce is expected to reach 35% of the total produce by 2025.We are happy to note that with 'Fi India 2011', UBM has taken the right step in promoting this sector and has strengthened the government's hands in providing a platform to promote the food & food ingredients industry & the role it would play in establishing safety standards.", Shri Satej Patil said.

India's food ingredients market itself is expanding at a 9% growth rate year-on-year, well above the 5-6% global average. What was once a small market valued at $470 million in 2007, only a meagre 1.6% of the global market, is now getting worldwide attention from major food and beverage manufacturers and food ingredient companies.  Mr. Sanjeev Khaira, MD, UBM India said, "The factors aiding this remarkable shift are changing lifestyle and eating habits, increased per capita income and increasing nutritional awareness, which has led to the demand of healthy, nutritious, and cost effective convenience foods."

The aim of the 4 conferences is to guide the food and beverage processing business in India to the next level with sessions covering innovations in Bakery, Dairy, Ingredients, Health & Wellness. Also, Fi India has emerged as the biggest congregation of the Indian nutraceuticals fraternity in India and South Asia. The Nutraceutical sector is fast gaining acceptance globally for its ability to address demand generated by the burgeoning wellness industry.

Food Ingredients India 2011 offers a unique networking opportunity for a cross sector representation that includes companies showcasing ingredients for food & beverages, food & dietary supplements, functional foods, health foods, nutraceuticals, natural foods and organic foods.

FiIndia 2011 will feature two specialised pavilions on China & the Nutraceutical sector at the exhibition. Companies such as Cargill, DSM, DKSH India, Insta Foods, Kerry, Kancor, Kamani Oils, Novozymes, Novastell, Piramal Health Care Ltd., Roha, Roquette, Saraf Foods, Solae, S. A. Pharma Chem etc., along with Malaysia Cocoa Board, Spices Board of India were among the  few exhibiting at Fi India 2011.

With over 120 exhibitors participating, nearly 4,500 industry visitors are expected, including those from the USA, Singapore, UAE, Australia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Dubai, Taiwan, Korea, Italy, Belgium and France. Fi India 2011 has grown year-on-year remarkably.

Contact: +91-22-661-22600, Bipin Sinha, bipin.sinha@ubm.com