Kerala commands nearly ₹5,000 crore in processed food exports and has the potential to become ₹30,000-crore worth industry, KV Thomas, MP and former Union Minister, has said.

Addressing the Agri and Food Processors’ Conclave organised by Assocham here on Friday, he said Kerala could emerge as plantation-based food products exporter through value addition.

Its share in the country’s total food products export is almost 20 per cent despite the limited size of landmass. He said that two-thirds of Kerala’s export income came from processed food.

Low output

Food processing in India is only a meagre 6 per cent while in developed countries it is 60-80 per cent and even in most Asian and Latin American countries, it is over 30 per cent.

Thomas, who was Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs in the UPA Government, emphasised the need to strengthen India’s position in the food processing sector and reducing high percentage of wastage of the agricultural produce.

Constraints

Highlighting the constraints in the backward and forward linkages in the food processing sector, AJ Tharakan, Chairman and Managing Director, Amalgam Foods Ltd, called upon the State government to play a catalytic role by building partnerships with various central government bodies, bankers, financial institutions, technical and management institutions.

Sushama Srikandath, CEO, AVT McCormick Ingredients, said that food processing could not be viewed in isolation for export market, but it could be a way to improve the lifestyles in the Indian rural context. Processed food industry can not only provide employment to the rural communities but can act as a catalyst to the sustainable growth of the region.

Om S Tyagi, Director, Assoham, welcomed the gathering.

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