Successful Anuga FoodTec India and Anuga Select India 2025 highlight India’s Growing Global role in the Food Industry

The twin trade fairs, Anuga FoodTec India and Anuga Select India 2025, successfully concluded on August 22, 2025, at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. Organized by Koelnmesse Pvt. Ltd., the three-day expos (20–22 August) brought together the entire food and beverage value chain under one roof, delivering a vibrant showcase of innovation, collaboration, and market opportunities.

Held at a defining moment for the sector, when India is among the fastest-growing food processing markets and 100% FDI is permitted, the shows served as a powerful stage for international partnerships, innovation showcases, and sustainability-led solutions.

The inauguration was graced by dignitaries such as Mr. Seetharaman Raghupathi, Executive Director, National Dairy Development Board (NDDB); H.E. Ahmad Al Ahmari, Chargé d'Affaires, Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia; H.E. Zozo Binti, Head of Mission, D.R. Congo; H.E. Labane Gideon, Consul General of South Africa; H.E. Donnawit Poolsawat, Consul General of Thailand; Bastian Mingers, Vice President, Food Portfolio, Koelnmesse GmbH; Milind Dixit, Managing Director, Koelnmesse Pvt. Ltd.

Voices from across regions highlighted opportunities in the food and beverage sector. H.E. Ahmad Al Ahmari emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s renowned date industry sees India as a key growth market, given the country’s strong consumption and cultural affinity for dates. Platforms like Anuga Select India and Anuga FoodTec India create valuable opportunities to strengthen bilateral trade and foster collaborations.

H.E. Zozo Binti highlighted the Democratic Republic of Congo’s vast natural resources and agricultural potential, noting how platforms like Anuga FoodTec and Anuga Select India 2025 foster innovation and stronger international partnerships. 

Adding to this, H.E. Labane Gideon pointed to Africa’s USD 313 billion food and beverage industry, projected to grow to USD 1 trillion by 2030. He stressed the critical role of value-added processing, branding, and collaborations with India in driving shared prosperity and sustainable growth.

Mr. Seetharaman Raghupathi, Executive Director at National Dairy Development Board (NDDB):

"Dairy contributes nearly 25% to India’s food and beverage sector, making it a cornerstone of the industry. Platforms like Anuga FoodTec India and Anuga Select India play a vital role in advancing innovation and sustainability, and the upcoming dedicated Anuga FoodTec India – Dairy edition will provide an important opportunity to address the sector’s unique challenges and future growth potential."

The exhibitions drew over 1000 exhibitors and more than 43,500 trade visitors, making them one of the largest industry gatherings in India. Exhibitors leveraged the platform not only to showcase products but also to announce strategic investments and expansion plans.

Trade visitors explore the bustling exhibition halls at Anuga FoodTec India and Anuga Select India 2025, held at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, bringing together over 1,000 exhibitors and 43,500 attendees from across the globe.

Anuga Select India 2025 featured leading domestic brands such as Parag Milk, Paras Milk, Tata Consumer, Milky Mist, Chitale, Society Tea, Goldie Masala, DS Spices, and Dilecta, along with national pavilions from Meghalaya, Sikkim, Spices Board of India, National Turmeric Board, Coconut Board of India & Start-up pavilions. Anuga FoodTec India 2025 showcased advanced food technology solutions from Syntegon, Mespack, Kiron Food Processing, Heat and Control, Alfa Laval, Kanchan Metals, and the Taiwan Pavilion, among others.

Mr. Milind Dixit, Managing Director at Koelnmesse Pvt. Ltd:

"The remarkable participation of leading international exhibitors and high-powered buyer delegations underscored India’s growing prominence in the global food and beverage industry. Anuga FoodTec India and Anuga Select India 2025 served as a vital platform to showcase sustainable solutions, next-generation technologies, and foster meaningful collaborations that will drive long-term growth for the sector."

The 2025 edition was further reinforced by partnerships with AIFPA, AFSTI, IFCA, and SIES School of Packaging, and featured international pavilions from over 9 countries, including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Iran, South Korea, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, USA & Taiwan.

Beyond the bustling show floors, attendees immersed themselves in interactive knowledge forums and dynamic live experiences. The Product Launch Showcase spotlighted the latest sustainable solutions, while the Live Demo Factory offered hands-on exposure to cutting-edge processing and packaging systems. Important convenings such as the F&B Manufacturing Conference and the India Food Supply Summit delved into pivotal topics like automation, cold-chain efficiency, food security, and AI-powered supply chains.

Meanwhile, the Culinary Corner, featuring celebrated chefs Zeba Kohli, Shipra Khanna, and Altamsh P⁠atel, added a flavourful touch to the learning experience. Notably, the inaugural ScaleUp Palate - designed to reflect the spirit of StartUp, highlighted the most promising Indian food-brand founders, such as Chings, Rebel Foods, The Whole Truth Food, and Zoff Foods, underscoring its role as a powerful platform for entrepreneurial storytelling and innovation.

A special highlight was the Anuga Select India Conference & Seminar series- “Food Forecast 2030: Consumer Trends Driving Innovation in F&B,” “Quality vs Quantity: Tackling Shelf-Life, Taste Consistency & Safety in Scale-Up,” and “Beyond the Shelf – Winning Consumers Across Channels in Food Retail,” among others—providing attendees with thought-provoking insights into industry evolution.

Exhibitors used the platform to announce major milestones. Lyallji Foods showcased a wide range of snacks and sweets while revealing plans to expand into GCC and African markets. Lotus Dairy announced national growth plans with a new plant near Kota and launched innovative products like non-lactose cold coffee. 

Paras Dairy (VRS Foods) unveiled a ₹100 crore (USD 12 million) investment in the cheese segment and aims to cross ₹3,300 crore (USD 398 million) in revenue this fiscal. Mr. Rajesh Nath, Managing Director, VDMA (Germany), highlighted India’s fast-growing food processing and packaging machinery market and opportunities for Indo-German collaboration in automation and sustainability.

VPS Malik, Chief Marketing Officer at VRS Foods Ltd. (Paras Dairy):

"At Paras Dairy (VRS Foods), we are entering an exciting phase of growth. With over six decades of legacy, our ₹100 crore (USD 12 million) investment in the cheese segment marks a strategic step to diversify our portfolio."

"While B2B contributes over 60% of our business, we’re also strengthening our retail line under the Fresh Dairy category, including milk, buttermilk, dahi, paneer, cow ghee, and desi ghee. Our goal is to achieve ₹3,300 crore (USD 398 million) in revenue by the end of this fiscal year."

Mr. Girish Chitale, Director at Chitale Dairy:

"Plant-based and lactose-free options are not a threat but an opportunity for India’s dairy sector to diversify and meet evolving consumer needs. Rising input costs challenge farmers, but advanced technologies, scientific farm practices, and aggregate models are helping boost productivity without steep price hikes."

"At Chitale Dairy, we are formalizing the supply chain with farmer-focused interventions and strong cold chain systems to improve quality and livelihoods. While India produces 24% of the world’s milk, our share in global trade is just 0.25%. By raising standards in safety, packaging, and pricing, we can deliver world- class dairy to consumers and build global competitiveness."

Ashish Deshpande, Managing Director at Syntegon Technology India Pvt. Ltd:

"Anuga FoodTec India has consistently been a great platform for us to connect with customers and enhance our brand visibility. The exhibition’s well-structured segmentation, especially for packaging, allowed us to reach the right audience seeking our solutions. It provides an excellent opportunity to showcase customized solutions and technological innovations, and I strongly encourage others in the industry to participate."

Venkatesha Parthasarathy, National Sales Manager at Heat and Control Pvt. Ltd:

"Anuga FoodTec India has been a fabulous experience for us. With live demo machines on display, visitors could see the latest advancements in seasoning and packaging technology firsthand."

"high-profile visitors, providing unmatched value. It offers the best platform for processors and equipment manufacturers to discover advanced technologies while enhancing brand visibility and recognition."

Concluding on a note of optimism, Anuga FoodTec India and Anuga Select India 2025 reaffirmed their status as catalysts for industry growth, sustainability, and global collaboration. With a unique dual focus on food products and food technology, the events not only drove business opportunities but also underscored India’s readiness to shape the future of global food innovation.