The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) held a roundtable discussion with leading figures from the bakery and confectionery industry on December 18, 2024, at Vigyan Bhawan Annexe, New Delhi. Led by the Secretary the meeting aimed to identify challenges and explore solutions to propel the sector’s growth and enhance its global competitiveness.
The discussions centered around several key areas crucial for the industry’s advancement:
- Raw Materials and Supply Chains: Participants explored opportunities to improve the availability of high-quality raw materials and streamline supply chains to ensure efficient production and distribution.
- Regulatory Reforms: The need for regulatory reforms to support both large and small-scale manufacturers was a key focus. Discussions aimed to identify ways to simplify processes and create a more conducive business environment.
- Investment and Scaling: Industry representatives highlighted the potential for increased investment across the value chain, particularly for small-scale and specialty manufacturers, to enable them to scale their operations and meet evolving consumer demands.
- Formalizing the Informal Sector: Integrating informal sector units into the formal ecosystem was emphasized as a crucial step to improve efficiency, scalability, and quality standards within the industry.
- Ease of Doing Business: Simplifying regulatory frameworks and aligning policies to create a more enabling business environment emerged as a pivotal theme.
- Sustainability and Innovation: Participants recommended increased technology adoption and expanding domestic production of critical inputs, such as cocoa, to unlock untapped potential and promote sustainable practices.
- Skill Development and Consumer Awareness: The importance of skill development and capacity-building programs, especially for small and medium enterprises, was highlighted to foster innovation and drive growth. Participants also stressed the need for consumer awareness campaigns to promote the benefits of processed foods and increase domestic acceptance.
The Secretary reassured the industry representatives of the Ministry’s commitment to addressing their concerns and fostering a collaborative approach to drive progress. He emphasized the importance of partnerships, strengthening the value chain, and creating a supportive ecosystem for the sector. Industry members were encouraged to connect with Invest India and submit detailed representations to further develop actionable strategies for effectively addressing the identified challenges. This collaborative effort signifies a strong push to bolster India’s bakery and confectionery industry and enhance its position in the global market.
