Saudi Arabia and South Africa Explore India’s Food Tech for Production Growth

Innovative Partnerships for Food Security

Saudi Arabia and South Africa, both recognized for their agricultural strengths, are looking to India’s advancements in food technology to enhance food security and boost production.

Growth Potential in Africa’s Food Industry

Labane Gideon, Consul General of South Africa in Mumbai, pointed out that Africa’s food and beverage sector, currently valued at $313 billion, is anticipated to hit $1 trillion by 2030. This growth offers substantial opportunities for employment and economic integration.

With agriculture accounting for over 60% of Africa’s value chain—compared to just 22% globally—investments in value-added processing are essential. Gideon emphasized this point during his address at Anuga FoodTec India and Anuga Select India 2025 expo, organized by Koelnmesse India in Mumbai.

Strengthening Ties for Technological Advancement

He noted South Africa’s established food processing industry, which includes significant exports like wine and fruit juices. “We consider India a vital partner in advancing agricultural technology, as we are still catching up in this area,” he remarked.

Majed Al-Otaibi, Charge d’Affaires at the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, echoed similar sentiments. He highlighted Saudi Arabia’s commitment to India, particularly mentioning its vast production of dates, with over 37.1 million palm trees yielding approximately 1.1 million tons annually.

Expanding Global Reach of Dates

Al-Otaibi expressed Saudi Arabia’s desire to bring its date products to a global audience. “We invite nations, businesses, and investors to join us in exploring diverse opportunities together,” he stated.

India’s Rapidly Growing Food Processing Sector

India’s food processing and ingredients market is experiencing robust growth, projected to rise at an 8.8% CAGR and double by 2030. Food-tech is expected to surpass global growth rates, achieving a CAGR of 14%, according to industry experts.

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The increasing appetite for clean-label, functional, and health-oriented foods is spurring advances in AI, IoT, and digital traceability throughout the food and beverage (F&B) value chain.

Investment Opportunities in F&B

The government has responded positively by allowing 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the F&B sector, reflecting the tremendous opportunities in India’s growing food processing landscape. Nilesh Amritkar, Managing Director of Envirocare Labs, remarked on India’s potential to become the “food factory of the world.”

He added, “India’s food-tech ecosystem in hardware, software, AI, and precision processing is moving ahead at over 14% CAGR, emphasizing that innovation is paramount, with India now exporting its food technology globally.”

Resilience Amidst Challenges

Despite facing challenges like tariffs and export controls, the industry has shown remarkable resilience by adapting supply chains and exploring new markets. Strong government support through various initiatives is fostering an environment ripe for growth and innovation.

Future of India’s Dairy Sector

At the same event, Seetharaman Raghupathi from the National Dairy Development Board discussed the White Revolution 2.0 initiative, which aims to establish 75,000 new cooperatives by 2028-29. This initiative is poised to significantly enhance the dairy sector and contribute to food security in India.

Market Outlook for Global Food Processing

Milind Dixit, Managing Director of Koelnmesse Pvt. Ltd., noted that with the global food processing market expected to exceed $4 trillion by 2030, India is set to emerge as one of the top three markets internationally. The Anuga FoodTec India and Anuga Select India 2025 events provide essential platforms for leveraging new technologies and forming sustainable partnerships.

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What do you think about the potential collaborations between these nations?