India is the world’s largest dairy producer and the world’s second largest producer of fruits, vegetables and cereals. Nevertheless, there is a widespread lack of food and major problems with malnutrition in the country, because 40 percent of the food is spilled on the way to the more than 1.3 billion Indians. This means that India has a food waste annually corresponding to the whole British agricultural production. Consequently, the need for technology and knowledge within refrigeration technology and food storage is high in India. This is where Denmark comes into the picture.
Good investment opportunities for Danish companies
The need for technology and knowledge provides good opportunities for Danish companies that work with quality food, food technology and know-how. Therefore, 21 Danish companies and organisations together with the Danish Minister for Environment and Food, Esben Lunde Larsen, are in India to participate in the conference ‘World Food India’ to highlight Danish food solutions. IFU’s Executive Vice President, Torben Huss, and Vice President of South Asia, Deepa Hingorani, are also participating.
IFU has made close to 100 investments in cooperation with Danish companies in India, some of which are within agribusiness.
– India is the third largest economy in the world, and with an annual growth rate of 7.1 per cent and a growing middle class there is a great potential for Danish food solutions. IFU can help pave the way for Danish companies through our local expertise and setup with investors and advisors as well as through risk capital, said Torben Huss.
Danish technology and know-how can increase productivity
Due to the increasing food demand, the Indians are also very focused on increasing agricultural productivity. Here Danish experience in for example the dairy sector is particularly interesting for the Indians as Denmark has developed a world-class dairy production with high performance. This is the result of, among other things, good cattle genetics and quality food. A Danish cow provides up to 20 times more milk than an Indian cow, so there is a very big potential for boosting productivity in India.
Facts
– India was Denmark’s 36th largest export market for goods in 2016
– India’s offtake of goods in 2016 amounts to DKK 2.9 billion, which corresponds to 0.45 per cent of total Danish exports
– Exports to India increased by 11.3 percent in 2016 compared to 2015
Source: Ministry of Environment and Food