World Food India 2025 — Where Flavors Meet Global Strategic Partnerships

IN NEWS:

World Food India 2025 — Where Flavors Meet Global Strategic Partnerships

ANALYSIS:

• The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is organising World Food India (WFI) 2025 from September 25–28, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
• The event will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on September 25, 2025, at 6:00 PM.
• It is positioned as the largest edition of the event so far, with participation from 90+ countries, 2,000+ exhibitors, and thousands of stakeholders across the global food value chain.
• The event aims to position India as a Global Food Hub, connecting international and domestic players in the food processing ecosystem.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS:

• Partner Countries: New Zealand and Saudi Arabia
• Focus Countries: Japan, UAE, Vietnam, and Russia
• Participation: Over 90 countries and 2,000+ exhibitors
• Objective: Showcase India’s food processing strengths, promote innovation, and attract global investments.
• Theme: “Where Flavors Meet Global Strategic Partnerships”

BACKGROUND:

• World Food India was launched in 2017 as a flagship global event by the MoFPI to promote India’s food processing sector.
• Successful previous editions were held in 2017, 2023, and 2024, and the 4th edition (2025) aims to build on their legacy.
• The Curtain Raiser for WFI 2025 was held on July 23, 2025, in New Delhi.
• WFI serves as a global platform connecting food producers, processors, innovators, exporters, and policymakers.

GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES IN FOOD PROCESSING:

• India’s food processing industry has grown significantly due to its strong agricultural base and supportive policy measures.
• India is the largest producer of milk, onions, and pulses, and second-largest producer of rice, wheat, sugarcane, tea, fruits, vegetables, and eggs.
• FDI equity inflow: USD 7.33 billion in the past decade.
• Exports: Agricultural and processed food exports reached USD 49.4 billion (2024–25).
• Employment: About 6.9 million workers employed in the sector (2.23 million in registered units and 4.68 million in unregistered).
• Registered food businesses: Increased from 25 lakh to 64 lakh.
• Infrastructure created:
  • 24 Mega Food Parks
  • 22 Agro-Processing Clusters
  • 289 Cold Chain Projects
  • 305 Processing & Preservation Units
  • 10 Projects under Operation Greens
  • 225 R&D projects (20 patents, 52 commercialised technologies)

KEY SCHEMES & POLICY INITIATIVES:

1. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY):
   • Develops modern infrastructure and efficient supply chains.
2. PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME):
   • Supports micro-units with financial and business assistance.
3. Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI):
   • Outlay: ₹10,900 crore (2021–22 to 2026–27).
   • Objective: Build global Indian food brands.
4. PLIS for Millet-Based Products (PLISMBP):
   • Promotes value addition in millet-based Ready-to-Eat (RTE) and Ready-to-Cook (RTC) products.
5. FDI & Infrastructure Support:
   • 100% FDI allowed in food processing.
   • ₹2,000 crore NABARD Fund for affordable credit to food parks.
   • Reforms under Make in India and digital ease-of-doing-business initiatives.

KEY FEATURES OF WFI 2025:

• Knowledge Sessions & Panels: Interaction with global thought leaders, regulators, and industry experts.
• Exhibitions: Focus on innovation in food processing, packaging, machinery, and cold chain.
• Networking Platforms: B2B, B2G, and G2G meetings for strategic partnerships.
• Culinary Experiences: Chef competitions and food showcases highlighting India’s diverse cuisine.
• Digital Showcase: Smart supply chains, immersive product displays, and tech demonstrations.
• Great Indian Food Street: Live cooking and regional culinary displays.

CONCURRENT EVENTS:

1. 3rd Global Food Regulators Summit (FSSAI):
   • Discusses global harmonisation of food safety standards.
2. 24th India International Seafood Show (SEAI):
   • Highlights India’s seafood export potential and international market linkages.

WFI 2025 & VIKSIT BHARAT 2047:

• WFI 2025 aligns with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision of making India a developed, inclusive, and globally competitive nation.
• It focuses on five strategic pillars:
  1. Sustainability
  2. Infrastructure
  3. Entrepreneurship
  4. Global Leadership
  5. Innovation
• Emphasis on climate-smart technologies, nutrition-focused products, and micro-enterprise growth in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

WFI 2024 RECAP (3rd EDITION):

• Held from 19–22 September 2024 at Bharat Mandapam.
• Participation: 1,557 exhibitors, 20 country pavilions, and 2,390 foreign delegates.
• Achievements:
  • 67 food processing units inaugurated (₹5,135 crore investment).
  • 25,000 beneficiaries received credit-linked support under PMFME.
  • ₹245 crore sanctioned as seed capital to 70,000 SHG members.

CONCLUSION:

• World Food India 2025 represents India’s growing prominence as a global food processing powerhouse.
• It aims to transform India from a food producer to a trusted global partner in food innovation, sustainability, and trade.
• The event reinforces India’s role in ensuring global food security, reducing post-harvest losses, and empowering rural economies.
• With strong government backing, diverse production capacity, and global participation, WFI 2025 marks a milestone toward a resilient and sustainable food ecosystem for the world.

Updated – 24 Sep 2025 ; 1:55 PM | PIB News Source:PIB Delhi