How to do business in India

India is a small but growing market for imported consumer food products.  Food exporters face high tariffs, effective bans on some products and strong competition from domestic producers, but opportunities are emerging for certain products.  Young and higher- income consumers are becoming increasingly open to consuming processed food products, eating out and trying foreign cuisines.  In addition, India’s small modern retail sector is expanding.  A core of professional importers who seek to manage brands rather than trade in food has developed and Indian importers often attend major international food shows in search of new products.  In addition, USDA has endorsed two annual food shows in India.  Exporters seeking to establish a presence in the Indian market should first seek to determine if a product has market access and then be prepared to be patient, start small and comply with special labeling requirements.  A recent near 20-percent devaluation of the rupee against the dollar could affect importers’ and consumers’ appetites for imported foods during 2012.

Important reports:

Exporter Guide-2011
FSSAI Releases Ad-Hoc Guidelines for Imported Food Clearance
India’s Food Retail Sector Growing
Food Processing and Ingredients
The Indian Wine Market
Food Service: Hotel, Restaurants, Institutional

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