The twin trade fairs, Anuga FoodTec India and Anuga Select India 2025, successfully concluded on 22 August 2025, at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. Organized by Koelnmesse, the three-day expos from 20 to 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 organizers said.
The inauguration was graced by dignitaries such as Seetharaman Raghupathi, executive director, National Dairy Development Board (NDDB); Ahmad Al Ahmari, chargé d’affaires, Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia; Zozo Binti, head of mission, Congo; Labane Gideon, consul general of South Africa; Donnawit Poolsawat, consul general of Thailand; Bastian Mingers, vice president, Food Portfolio, Koelnmesse; Milind Dixit, managing director, Koelnmesse.
Voices from across regions highlighted opportunities in the food and beverage sector. 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, foster collaborations, and bring Saudi dates closer to Indian consumers and businesses.
Zozo Binti emphasized 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, Labane Gideon pointed to Africa’s US$313 billion food and beverage industry, projected to grow to US$1 trillion by 2030, and stressed the critical role of value-added processing, branding, and collaborations with India in driving shared prosperity and sustainable growth.
“Dairy contributes nearly 25% to India’s food and beverage sector, making it a cornerstone of the industry,” said Seetharaman Raghupathi. “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. 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.
On the successful conclusion of the event, Milind Dixit said, “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 leveraged the platform to announce significant business milestones. Lyallji Foods presented a wide portfolio of snacks and sweets while announcing expansion into GCC and African markets. Lotus Dairy unveiled its plans for national growth, supported by a new plant near Kota and the launch of innovative offerings such as non-lactose cold coffee. Paras Dairy (VRS Foods) announced a significant ₹100 crore investment into the cheese category, alongside its ambition to cross ₹3,300 crore in revenue by the end of this fiscal year.
Industry insights were also provided by Rajesh Nath, managing director, VDMA (Germany), who emphasized India’s rapidly expanding market for food processing and packaging machinery, along with opportunities for Indo-German collaborations in automation and sustainable technologies.
VPS Malik, chief marketing officer, VRS Foods (Paras Dairy), said, “At Paras Dairy (VRS Foods), we are entering an exciting phase of growth. With a legacy of over six decades, our expansion into the cheese segment, backed by a ₹100 crore investment, marks a strategic move to diversify our product portfolio. While B2B remains our core, contributing over 60 percent of our business, we are also focused on strengthening our retail portfolio under the Fresh Dairy category, which includes products such as milk, buttermilk, dahi, paneer, cow ghee, and desi ghee, in line with evolving consumer demand. Overall, we aim to achieve a revenue of ₹3,300 crore by the end of this fiscal.”
Girish Chitale, director, Chitale Dairy, added his perspective on consumer trends. He said, “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 of Syntegon, shared his experience, “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 said, “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. The show’s strong branding and connection with Anuga FoodTec Germany attract 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.
