The broad categories of the Indian food processing industry include dairy, fruits and vegetable processing, grain and cereal processing, meat and poultry, fisheries and various consumer food products such as beverages, packaged foods and packaged drinking water. The food processing industry in India is still at a very nascent stage, considering that only a very small percentage of the overall agricultural and food produce is actually processed before being consumed. This holds out a lot of potential for the industry’s development, especially with the rising income of the country’s population. The dairy sector holds one of the largest shares in the food processing industry. The food processing industry has witnessed rapid changes in recent times, given that a lot of new products have been introduced in the market, along with the increase in organised retail and more foreign direct investment into the sector. The government is also providing a lot of encouragement to the sector, as it prioritises the agro-processing division and provides various export-related benefits. At the same time, more investment all along the supply and value chain, technological upgradation and research and development continue to be some of the biggest challenges facing the industry. Hide this