Food Import Trends and Food Importers in India – BestFoodImporters 2024 Update

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India’s food imports are in a constant development, driven by a surge in consumer demand for diverse, high-quality, and convenient food products. As the country’s economy continues to grow, so does its appetite for international flavors and specialties. Indian food importers are increasingly looking for premium products and brands, organic options and ready-to-eat meals which are becoming popular among the urban working class.

Food producers looking for an attractive market to expand will find India attractive not only because of its 1.42 billion population, that includes a booming middle class with riding disposable income, but also because the country is going through a shift towards urban lifestyles and changing dietary preferences. The Indian government is more concerned with the country’s food security and its recent initiatives are encouraging the development of partnerships with new markets.

There are also significant hurdles, like dealing with the logistical challenges caused by India’s vast geographical expanse and infrastructure limitations which can significantly affect distribution. Varying state-level food safety standards can also prove hard to overcome without local help or experience in the market.

India’s main food imports

Fresh fruits, dried fruits and nuts imports

Indian consumers are increasingly interested in fruits and vegetables which are not so common in the country. Apples from the U.S. and China, kiwis from New Zealand, and berries from Europe see growing demand due to health-conscious consumer choices, online trends and a focus on healthy living. Almonds, walnuts, and pistachios are popular choices for health-conscious consumers.

India’s imports of fresh and dried fruits and nuts reached 4.03 billion USD in 2023 and the main exporters from which it purchased these categories were the United States, Afganistan, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and a number of other African countries. Among European countries, Italy is the main supplier with a value of 42.3 million USD. In contrast, imports from the U.S. reached 1 billion USD.

Edible oils imports – palm oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil

India relies on a very high consumption of various types of edible oils and imports are vital. In 2023 imports of animal, vegetable and microbial fats and oils reached 16.5 billion USD. Imports of palm oil for example had a value of almost 8.8 billion USD and the main suppliers were Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

Sunflower oil is another popular variety and imports were valued at 3.38 billion USD in 2023. In this case the countries who exported the largest quantities were Ukraine with a value of 1.25 billion USD, the Russian Federation, Argentina, Romania and Bulgaria.

Ready-to-eat meals and packaged foods imports

India’s packaged foods and ready-to-eat (RTE) meals sector has witnessed significant growth in 2023 and 2024, driven by shifting consumer habits, urbanization, and a fast-paced lifestyle. This trend is also fueled by rising disposable incomes, increased exposure to global cuisines, and the convenience offered by such products.

Among popular imports are high-end ready to eat dishes, frozen foods like frozen pizzas, fries and seafood, snacks and health foods like protein bars.

Other promising import trends include the boom of online platforms which offer access to international products, demand for premium, gourmet food items and a higher attention to organic and plant based foods. 

3 Indian Food Importers 

  1. Paras Exim
    Address: 
    Shivoham Apartment, 38 Jatindas Road
    Kolkata, West Bengal, 700029
    Phone: 
    +91 98365 73777
    Website: 
    https://parasexim.com/
  2. Kettro Gourmet
    Address: A/220, Virwani Indst. Estate
    Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400063
    Phone: +91 98219 33739
    Websitehttps://kettro.com/
  3. Emmanuel Import and Export
    Address: 9, Sukhavastu, Shikhare Wadi
    Nashik, Maharashtra, Nashik Division, 422214
    Phone: +91 253 246 7946
    Website: https://www.facebook.com/theemmanuelgroup/

To get access to a list of more active food importers from Brazil, you can access one of the BestFoodImporters databases.