NDIA-MIDDLE EAST COLLABORATION IN FOOD & AGRUCULTURE
At Gulfood 2024, over 350 Indian companies showcased their diverse products, highlighting India’s growing influence in the global food industry. This turnout cemented India’s status as a trusted supplier to the UAE and beyond. While India has long exported grains, cereals, and pulses to the UAE, the substantial presence at Gulfood marked a significant transition. Beyond exhibiting culinary expertise, Indian companies ventured into new trade opportunities in the UAE and neighboring regions, reflecting the nation’s evolving role as a key player in the international food market. Trade Fair Times-Arabia’s Editor Consult Shaneer N Siddiqui interviewed the Indian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates H. E. Sunjay Sudhir during the Gulfood 2024.
Shaneer N Siddiqui : Gulf Food is one of the largest food exhibitions in the world. Among 127 countries, how do you see India’s presence this year?
H. E. Sunjay Sudhir : ndia is always a proud partner at Gulfood. Like last year, India was the largest participant in this mega food event. Gulfood is an excellent platform for Indian exporters to meet potential buyers not only from the UAE market but also well from beyond the GCC, the Middle East, and rest of the world. India is perhaps the strongest food security partner for the UAE and our participation in Gulfood is a clear indicator
Shaneer N Siddiqui : The Indian Food and Beverages market, which is currently more than $299 billion, is expected to surge to over $620 billion by 2029, marking an impressive growth rate of 11%. What do you think, how Middle East market can support this target?
H. E. Sunjay Sudhir : India is a world leader in several agricultural and dairy products. It occupies the top position in global milk production and accounts for about 25% of global production. India is also the world’s largest producer of pulses and jute and ranks as the second-largest producer of rice, wheat, sugarcane, groundnut, vegetables, fruit, and cotton. It is also one of the leading producers of spices, fish, poultry, livestock, and plantation crops. India has conscious export targets in these areas. Due to proximity, historical trade and people to people-to-people links and similar food habits, the Middle East can be a major market for Indian agricultural food products.
Shaneer N Siddiqui : India is a leading Agri-tech country. UAE is also adopting new technologies in the agriculture and farming sector. Where these countries can collaborate in future agriculture technologies, as they are doing very well in business, IT, artificial intelligence, and startup sectors?
H. E. Sunjay Sudhir : While being a leading producer of agriculture and dairy, India is also emerging as a leader in agricultural technologies. Many of these technologies are currently being exported globally. Agricultural technology in India is supported by not only research in agriculture but also the IT, AI, and startup revolution which is being witnessed in India. As a result, India has a lot to offer to the world in the sphere of Agritech.
Shaneer N Siddiqui : There are opportunities for substantial investments in food processing technologies, skills, equipment, canning, dairy, specialty processing, packaging, frozen food, refrigeration, and thermos-processing. Is anything at the government level that is under consideration or in the pipeline?
H. E. Sunjay Sudhir : Considering the importance of food processing, India has a separate Ministry for Food Processing which deals with enabling policies for optimizing opportunities in the food sector. According to a recent E&Y Report, the start-up sector in India is playing a major role in the agriculture and food sector and agritech startups offer an opportunity of US$ 24 billion. Rural microfinance is acting as a catalyst for the agriculture and food processing sectors leading to the rapid growth in private equity investment in the sector which totals approximately INR 66 billion. The Government of India has also launched in 2021, a digital agriculture mission to help agri startups leverage cloud computing, remote sensing, data, and AI/ML models.
We are also closely working within the I2U2 framework on developing integrated food parks which will bring the best technologies from India, UAE, US, and Israel and address demand beyond I2U2 countries.
Shaneer N Siddiqui : Indian traditional export products like basmati and non-basmati rice, Spices, wheat, processed vegetables, fresh fruits, meat, and vegetables, are India, looking to explore some new products and areas for the Middle East market. If yes then what are that areas?
H. E. Sunjay Sudhir : In addition to the export of primary agricultural commodities, there is an enormous focus on value[1]added and processed foods. There is also a new emphasis on millets. The year 2023 was designated by the United Nations as the “International Year of Millets”. This makes healthier options available for the people. Millets in addition to being healthy, and regarded as superfoods, also consume at least 20% less water, making them more eco-friendly.
Shaneer N Siddiqui : How do you see the future of Indian exports to the Middle East after the completion of the India, the United States, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreement for regional railway connectivity?
H. E. Sunjay Sudhir : During India’s chairmanship of G-20 last year, a major connectivity initiative connecting India, the Middle East, and Europe, by the name of IMEEC, was launched. It includes India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, the US, Germany, Italy, France, and the EU. Showing the commitment of India and the UAE, the two countries signed a framework agreement on IMEEC during Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visit to the UAE on 13th February 2024. IMEEC will offer alternate supply routes providing additional opportunities and impetus for exports.