An array of exciting expert speakers is lined up to speak at this year’s Fresh Produce India event, which takes place on 4-6 April at the Sheraton at Brigade Gateway Hotel in Bangalore.
With its rapid growth as a consumer market and its huge horticultural capacity, India is attracting growing interest from major fresh produce companies both locally and internationally.
Now the path is technically cleared for foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country’s supermarket sector, global retail chains are also eyeing India with greater intent.
Ernst & Young on foreign entry strategies
Delivering the keynote address for this fifth edition of Fresh Produce India, Paresh Parekh of Ernst & Young will provide an overview of the country’s shifting socio-economic landscape.
Parekh – a vocal commentator on FDI in India and a partner in the consumer and retail sector practice of Ernst & Young – will provide expert analysis of the latest FDI regime, key macro political reforms and the future outlook for foreign entrants.
While many international fresh produce companies have tended to look upon India solely as an import-export opportunity, the second session will investigate the potential for them get more involved on the ground, be it through strategic investments or sharing technical expertise. It will also examine the scope for India to play a bigger role on the global stage in the fresh fruit and vegetable business.
Univeg CEO sees big future for India
Francis Kint, CEO of the fresh produce business for Belgium-based global giant Univeg, will be on hand to outline the opportunities he sees for India, and he will be joined by Vivek Dhume, director of Indian retail giant Future Group, and Sumit Saran of agribusiness consulting company SCS Group.
India’s apple imports have witnessed impressive expansion over the past 10 years. Turning the focus to emerging growth areas of the country’s fresh fruit import market in the third session will be Rajesh Prasad of major wholesale chain Metro Cash & Carry (speaking on citrus), RK Growers’ Giacomo Nocentino (on kiwifruit and new apple varieties) and Alan Pollard, CEO of Pipfruit New Zealand (on apples). Bangalore has proven a fertile ground for marketing new varieties, and Harish Ishwardas of local import operation Trinity Fresh Produce Trading will share his views on the regional opportunities.
Putting the supply chain on track
A key stumbling block to India’s bid to deliver on its vast potential as a supplier and a market is the country’s multi-layered supply chain and inherent infrastructural shortfall. But a high-powered panel will share the latest developments on public and private initiatives to put the sector on the right track.
NK Jawa, who established Fresh Supply Chain as a managing partner last December, will map the key gains and challenges for infrastructural investments in Indian horticulture over the past six years, and assess the future outlook. Praveen Dwivedi, president of Future Ventures, will discuss the group’s ambitious project near Bangalore to develop a huge food park designed to bridge the gap between farmers and consumers in India. Meanwhile, MS Manjunath, leader of business creation for Ingersoll Rand International (India), which runs a cold chain consulting service in India, will discuss some of the latest innovations, from solar-based to rural micro cold chains.
Broader banana appeal?
Fresh Produce India’s conference programme will conclude with a focus on the new export opportunities opening up for different sectors of India’s fresh produce business. Guy Goves, president of Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals Corporation (DFPC), will discuss India’s plans to become a major player on the global banana market, Sunil G Awari of Namdhari Farm Fresh will outline the opportunities in the exotic vegetable sector while reefer specialists from Maersk Line (India) Ruchika Kuthari and Arindam Datta will discuss developments across a range of products, not least grapes.
Study tours
This year’s Fresh Produce India will feature an extended study tour programme, with delegates having the option to choose between the Production Track and the Market Track. The Production Track will feature a tour of the farms and facilities of leading GlobalGAP-accredited exporter Namdhari Farm Fresh, as well as visiting one of the company’s specialist fruit and vegetable retail stores. The Market Track will visit Bangalore’s bustling APMC wholesale market before taking a tour of food retail stores run by giants Metro Cash & Carry, Auchan and Reliance.
This year’s event is sponsored by a number of high-profile names in the local and international business, including Maersk Line, Fruit Logistica, Saarrthie, IG International, Suri Agro Fresh, FROM, Pear Bureau Northwest, Oneonta, the Washington Apple Commission and Goodfarmer.
First-rate opportunities to network with the movers and shakers in the Indian business feature throughout the event, with the Fresh Produce India Expo showcasing a range of products and services from key local and international companies.
