Current State of the Food Processing Industry in India

India grows an enormous quantity of food – from rice and wheat to mangoes, bananas, milk, and spices. Yet, a surprisingly small share of this agricultural bounty actually gets processed before it reaches consumers. This gap between production and processing defines the current state of India’s food processing industry: a sector with massive potential that is still in the early stages of realizing it.

India’s agricultural strength and processing paradox 🔗

India is the largest producer of milk, spices, and pulses globally, and ranks among the top producers of fruits, vegetables, food grains, tea, fish, and eggs. As per the Second Advance Estimates for 2024-25, horticulture production in India reached approximately 368 million metric tonnes (MMT), including 114 MMT of fruits and 220 MMT of vegetables.

Despite this enormous output, the level of food processing remains low compared to global benchmarks. According to a USDA report citing a Deloitte study, processing levels in India stand at just 4.5% for fruits and 2.7% for vegetables. Compare that with countries like China (23%), the United States (65%), and the Philippines (78%), and the gap becomes starkly visible. Processing penetration is relatively better for food grains (68%), meat (34.2%), milk (21.1%), and fisheries (15.4%), but the fruits and vegetables segment – where India is the world’s second-largest producer – remains significantly underprocessed.

Size and economic contribution of the industry 🔗

The Indian food processing market was valued at approximately ₹30,49,800 crore (US$ 354.5 billion) in 2024. It is projected to grow to around US$ 535 billion by the end of FY26, and could reach US$ 700 billion by 2030, according to estimates by PHDCCI. Long-term projections suggest the sector could touch US$ 2,150 billion by 2047 – aligning with India’s Viksit Bharat vision.

The food processing industry makes up about 32% of the overall Indian food market and contributes roughly 8.80% and 8.39% of Gross Value Added (GVA) in manufacturing and agriculture, respectively. It also accounts for approximately 13% of India’s total exports and 6% of industrial investment. The sector has been growing at an average annual rate of about 7.26% over the past several years.

Employment generation 🔗

Food processing is one of the largest employers in India’s organized manufacturing sector. According to the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) report for 2022-23, the sector accounts for approximately 12.41% of the country’s total organized manufacturing workforce. Within the registered factory sector, the industry employs about 1.93 million people. The unregistered sector adds approximately 5.1 million more workers, bringing the total well above 7 million jobs. Additionally, over 2.27 lakh women workers are employed in the industry, making it an important driver of inclusive employment.

Structure of the industry: organized vs. unorganized 🔗

A defining feature of India’s food processing sector is the dominance of small-scale and unorganized units. Most processing in India is classified as primary processing – cleaning, sorting, grading, and basic milling – which adds relatively lower value compared to secondary processing like canning, freezing, or converting raw produce into packaged consumer products.

The market is highly fragmented. A large number of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) operate alongside a handful of large corporations such as Hindustan Unilever, ITC, Dabur, Parle, and Mother Dairy. The unorganized segment, particularly in categories like pickles and traditional snacks, accounts for a significant share of the industry. This fragmentation creates challenges around quality control, food safety compliance, and the ability to scale up operations.

That said, the sector also boasts over 3,300 recognized startups spread across 425 districts, employing around 33,000 people. These startups are driving innovation in areas like cold chain logistics, food-tech, organic products, and direct-to-consumer brands.

Key challenges holding the sector back 🔗

Despite the sector’s size and promise, several structural bottlenecks prevent it from reaching its full potential.

Inadequate cold chain and storage infrastructure 🔗

Perhaps the single biggest challenge is the lack of cold chain infrastructure. India loses an estimated ₹92,651 crore annually due to inadequate cold storage and supply chain gaps. About 25-30% of fruits and vegetables are wasted after harvest. Post-harvest losses across all major crops range from 3% to 16%, according to the Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology (CIPHET). For perishable produce like fruits and vegetables, wastage rates can be even higher – between 4.58% and 15.88%.

Low value addition 🔗

Most food processing in India remains at the primary stage. The overall level of value addition in food products was estimated at less than 10%, as per CIPHET’s assessments. India’s agricultural exports are still predominantly raw materials, which get processed in other countries – a clear indicator that the country has significant room to move up the value chain.

Regulatory complexity and quality issues 🔗

The presence of multiple regulatory agencies – including FSSAI, APEDA, and BIS – without a single-window clearance system increases the compliance burden, especially for smaller enterprises. Approval timelines of 6-8 months are common. Quality and food safety inconsistencies also affect India’s export reputation; between 2020 and 2024, the EU flagged 527 Indian food products for quality concerns.

Skilled workforce shortage 🔗

Only about 3% of the food processing workforce in India is formally trained. This shortage of skilled labour affects product quality, innovation capacity, and the adoption of modern processing technologies.

Consumer preferences and market fragmentation 🔗

Indian consumers have traditionally preferred freshly cooked food over processed or preserved alternatives. Food habits also vary dramatically from region to region, making it difficult for processors to build nationally scalable product lines. However, this is changing rapidly, especially in urban areas where demand for ready-to-eat, ready-to-cook, and packaged foods is growing steadily.

Government initiatives driving growth 🔗

Recognizing both the challenges and the opportunity, the Indian government has launched several ambitious schemes to modernize and expand the food processing sector.

Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) 🔗

PMKSY is a comprehensive Central Sector scheme aimed at creating modern infrastructure and efficient supply chain management from farm gate to retail outlet. As of early 2025, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries had sanctioned over 1,600 projects under PMKSY – including 41 Mega Food Parks, 394 cold chain projects, 75 agro-processing clusters, and 536 food processing units. The scheme operates with an outlay of ₹6,520 crore for the 15th Finance Commission cycle and is expected to mobilize over ₹11,000 crore in investments.

PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) 🔗

Launched in June 2020 under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the PMFME scheme specifically targets the vast unorganized segment of the food processing industry. With a total outlay of ₹10,000 crore, the scheme provides credit-linked capital subsidies (35% of project cost, up to ₹10 lakh), seed capital for self-help groups, and support for common infrastructure. By mid-2025, over 1.44 lakh micro food processing enterprises had been approved for assistance, and more than 1.16 lakh beneficiaries had received training. The scheme follows a “One District One Product” (ODOP) approach to promote local specialities.

Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLISFPI) 🔗

The PLI scheme for food processing was approved with an outlay of ₹10,900 crore for the period 2021-22 to 2026-27. It incentivizes manufacturing of key food product segments and supports Indian food brands in international markets. As of early 2025, 171 companies had been approved for assistance, with ₹8,910 crore invested across 213 locations and over 2.89 lakh jobs created.

100% FDI and investment climate 🔗

The Indian government allows 100% foreign direct investment in both the food processing sector and retail trading of food products, including through e-commerce. Between April 2000 and March 2025, cumulative FDI in the food processing industry reached approximately US$ 13.1 billion. The Union Budget 2025-26 allocated ₹4,364 crore to the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, including ₹1,444 crore specifically for the PLI scheme.

Emerging trends and the road ahead 🔗

Several trends are reshaping India’s food processing landscape and positioning it for accelerated growth in the coming years.

Rising demand for processed and packaged foods 🔗

Urbanization, a growing middle class, more working women, and changing lifestyles are all pushing demand for convenient, packaged food products. India’s food consumption is projected to reach US$ 1.2 trillion by FY26. The organic food market in India is also expanding rapidly, with consumers increasingly willing to pay a premium for healthier alternatives.

Technology adoption 🔗

Automation, artificial intelligence, blockchain-based traceability, and IoT-enabled quality monitoring are gradually being adopted across the industry. Food-tech startups are bringing innovation to areas like alternative proteins, plant-based products, and farm-to-fork supply chain digitization. The government is also promoting the use of irradiation technology and establishing NABL-accredited food testing labs to improve product safety and shelf life.

Export growth 🔗

India’s food exports have been on a strong upward trajectory. In FY 2024-25, food exports crossed US$ 49 billion, with processed food contributing approximately US$ 10 billion of that total. Key export items include Basmati and non-Basmati rice, spices, mango-based products, and marine products. The government is actively working to diversify export markets and boost the international presence of Indian food brands.

Focus on sustainability and food safety 🔗

There is a growing emphasis on biodegradable packaging, green certification, and the use of renewable energy in processing units. FSSAI continues to tighten standards around labelling, organic food certification, and consumer awareness – all of which are driving better practices across the industry.

Why the gap still matters 🔗

The contrast between India’s agricultural output and its processing capacity is not just a missed economic opportunity – it directly affects farmer incomes, consumer nutrition, and national food security. When fruits and vegetables rot in fields or mandis because there is no nearby cold storage or processing facility, farmers lose income and consumers lose access to affordable, nutritious food. Every percentage point increase in processing capacity translates into less waste, more jobs, higher farmer earnings, and greater export revenue.

The good news is that the trajectory is clearly positive. With sustained government support, growing private investment, increasing consumer demand, and technology-led innovation, India’s food processing industry is positioned for significant transformation. However, bridging the infrastructure gap, simplifying regulations, and building a skilled workforce remain urgent priorities.

What do you think? Given that India produces such vast quantities of agricultural produce, what do you think is the single most important step needed to significantly increase the percentage of food that gets processed? And can technology alone solve the infrastructure gap, or does the solution require deeper structural changes at the farm and district level?

References

1. https://www.investindia.gov.in/sector/food-processing
2. https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=Food+Processing+Ingredients+Annual_New+Delhi_India_IN2024-0014
3. https://www.ibef.org/industry/food-processing
4. https://www.investindia.gov.in/team-india-blogs/indias-food-processing-sector-shaping-future-global-agri-food-value-chains
5. https://www.ibef.org/industry/food-processing-presentation
6. https://www.pmfias.com/indias-food-processing-industry/
7. https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/paper3/food-processing-in-india
8. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2116175
9. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=155134&ModuleId=3
10. https://www.ibef.org/blogs/the-future-of-food-processing-in-india-growth-opportunities-and-challenges