APEDA India best in intl. category at ProFood/ProPack 2012

The ProFood/ProPack 2012 held from 6-8 July at BMICH Colombo yet again provided an excellent platform to around 45 participating Indian companies to showcase their wide range of agro and food products to the Sri Lankan public and business community. There was strong buyer interest in the Indian products such as wine, fresh fruits like mango, pomegranate, apples from Kashmir and Himachal, table honey, ready-to-eat snack foods, pulps, fruit juices, health foods, curry paste and fresh ginger.

The Indian companies participated in the exhibition under the banner of Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and from Kerala. APEDA is an apex body set up under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India for the development and promotion of export of agricultural products including floriculture, fresh fruits and vegetables, processed foods, livestock products, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, cereal products, groundnuts, peanuts and walnuts, pickles, papads and chutneys, etc. Under the banner of APEDA, around 20 Indian companies had successfully participated in the ProFood/ProPack 2011. APEDA pavilion was adjudged the best pavilion in the international category at the ProFood/ProPack 2012.

The visitors to the exhibition had a special opportunity to sample premium Indian wines from seven wine companies from India, namely, John Distilliers, Chataeu ‘d Ori, Renaissance Winery, Nashik Vinters, Vintage Wines, Vallonne Vineyards and Valle De Vin.  The Indian companies were encouraged by the interest shown in the good quality Indian wines and noticed the potential demand for sweet wines/dessert wines in Sri Lanka.

High Commission of India in association with APEDA, All India Wine Producers Association and Taj Samudra Colombo also organised a function ‘Appreciating Indian Wines’ at the Taj Samudra in the evening of 8 July which was graced by High Commissioner of India Ashok K. Kantha and attended by representatives from Sri Lankan tourism and hospitality sector like hotels, restaurants, prominent chambers of commerce and industry, government officials from concerned departments and private sector companies.

India produces more than 13.5 million litres of wine annually and the Indian wine industry, according to Business Chamber Assocham, growing at a rate of 35% is expected to reach turnover of Indian Rs. 2700 crores in 2012. Indian wines are fast developing a reputation in the world market.