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Introduction: Overview on processed Food manufacturing business in India

The Processed food manufacturing business in India is one of the fastest growing sector in the country it contributes about 10% of the GDP.. The food manufacturing business in India has been able to grow at a rate of 9% and is expected to grow upto $535 Billion by 2025-26.
The Indian food processing industry is a major contributor a a source of employment to the Indian economy. About 15.5 million people are either directly or indirectly associated in the food industry thus making it one of the largest employers in India.
India is also a major producer of agricultural products, which are consumed locally or exported globally. India produces nearly all varieties of edible oils and is the world’s second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables. It is also one of the major producers and consumers of rice, wheat, sugarcane, cotton, tea, coffee and spices.
1. What is a Food Manufacturing Business?
A food manufacturing business is a type of business that handles the processing of raw food to make it safe for consumption. The process of food processing includes cooking, freezing, canning, drying, and packaging.
Food processing is the process of converting raw ingredients into food products. The raw ingredients can be vegetables, fruit, meat, fish, or grains which are then processed to produce final product like flour, bread, cereals, juices, canned fruits, or meat etc. Food processing includes cooking, processing, and packaging for final consumption. It also includes preserving food by canning or freezing it.
2. What are the types of Food Processing Business?
The food industry is a diverse sector with many different types of food processing businesses. Most are small scale businesses, while some are large-scale businesses, and others fall in micro-homebased business categories.
Broadly speaking the food industry is categorised into 3 types according to the types of food processing these businesses are involved into.
- Manufacturers: These are food manufacturing units that make a finished product from raw materials like wheat, maize, barley into products such as bread, pasta, cereals etc.
- Processors: These are food processing units that use raw materials to create processed foods, such as canned vegetables or frozen dinners.
- Distributors: These are large wholesale distributors who buy finished food products from manufacturers and processers and sell them to retailers or other distributors.

Here is a list of the different types of food manufacturing businesses in the food industry:
- Animal Processing Businesses: Animal processing businesses are essentially any business that processes animals for consumption. This includes the meat industry but it also includes other types of animal-based products such as poultry, fur, feathers, and organs. These types of businesses process animals for their meat, milk, fur and eggs.
- Grain Processing Businesses: Grain Processing Business are one of the most rapidly expanding segments in the agricultural sector. These companies play an integral role in implementing grain processing techniques to produce a wide array of products. These types of businesses process grains (such as corn or wheat) into products like corn syrup or wheat flour and its derivatives.
- Fruit Processing Businesses: Fruit processing business is a company that processes fruits into food items. The main goal of a fruit processing business is to process fruits into different products such as juices, jams, pickles, purees etc.
- Vegetable Processing Businesses: Vegetable processing business are responsible for washing, peeling, slicing, and other tasks to prepare the vegetables for sale. They also package the vegetables and store them until they are ready to be shipped to grocery stores or other customers. These companies are responsible for the production of canned vegetables, frozen vegetables, dehydrated vegetables and more.
- Dairy Processing Businesses: Dairy processing business is a business that deals in the production and processing of milk, as well as other dairy products. Milk is a raw material to produce cheese, butter, yogurt and ice cream. Dairy processing businesses process milk into products such as butter and cheese to be sold to consumers.
- Seafood Processing: Seafood processing is the process by which fish and other seafood are turned into products that are ready to be eaten. The process of seafood processing includes filleting, cutting, canning, smoking, and freezing. Seafood processors are responsible for the transformation of raw fish into products like fillets, steaks, and chunks.
- Oilseeds Processing: Oilseed processing industry includes establishments primarily engaged in extracting edible oils and other desired products from oilseeds such as soybeans, peanuts, and sunflower. The oilseed is processed by crushing, pressing, or a combination of both.
3. What Training is Required for Starting Food Processing Business in India
The Ministry of MSME offer courses on food processing technology and management. These courses help individuals to understand how to start a food processing business in India as well as how to manage it efficiently.
Below are the links to the training programs offered in food processing industry under Government of India initiatives.
- The Food Industry Capacity & Skill Initiative (FICSI) is a collaborative project between the food industry, the education sector and government. It aims to improve skills, capability and productivity of food industry workers.
- The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is responsible for the promotion of food processing in India. It was established in 1985 and was made an independent ministry on November 3, 1989.
- The Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC) it is a statutory body under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
- The Ministry of MSME also runs training programs under the (Udyami) scheme for skill development in the food processing sector.
4. What are the Permissions and Licenses Required Needed to Start A Food Processing Business in India?
FSSAI is the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. It is an autonomous body that regulates food safety and standards in India. FSSAI is an independent statutory body set up by the Indian government to protect public health through regulation and supervision of food safety. The FSSAI was established in 2009 under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSSA). The Act was enacted to protect public health, ensure fair trade practices, promote sustainable agriculture and advance research in food science.
The total number of permissions and licenses required to start a food processing business in India varies greatly depending on the type of business and food manufacturing activity that is undertaken by the company.
However, some of the following licenses and permissions are required for starting a food manufacturing business in India but are Subject to applicability.
- Registration for Food Safety License under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSSAI)
- Health and Trade licenses
- Registration under the Shop and Establishment Licenses
- Certificate from Environmental Department
- Certificate from Fire Department
- Certificate from Pollution Board
- Factory License from the Department of Factories and Boilers.
- PESO License from Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization
- Registrations with the Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1976
- Registration with the AGMARK certification for agricultural produce
- Registration with the Central Excise Department (CED)
- GST (Goods and Service Tax) Registrations
- Labour law Registrations
- Income Tax
- Insurance Policy
**It is important to note that not all the licenses and permission mentioned above are required to be obtained by every food business. The above licenses are subjected to applicability.
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5. How Much Does It Cost of Starting a Food manufacturing Business in India?
The cost of starting a food manufacturing business in India is subjected to various factors like scale of operation and initial capital investment. The major cost of starting the business is the initial investment for land, labour, equipment, machines, and raw material.
The capital required for a home based food processing business is not very high approx. ₹5 Lakhs.
The capital required to start a food processing business in medium scale is between ₹25 Lakhs to ₹1.5 crore.
And, the start-up costs for starting a food manufacturing business on Large scale which usually include land, machinery and raw materials, can be anywhere between ₹ 2-3 crores.
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6. How to get Funding for your Food Processing Business?
Food manufacturing is a highly profitable industry if manged correctly. In Food processing industry there are many different opportunities for entrepreneurs to enter. In order to make your food manufacturing business a success, it is important to have a well-developed business plan and have clear idea on how to get funding for your food processing business.
There are many kinds of funding available, ranging from government grants to bank loans. Understanding which type of funding is right for your food business will help you make a more informed decision about where to apply for money.
Below are some of the most common ways to finance your food processing business.
- Loans from Family and Friends: This is one of the easiest ways to find funding for your food making business because it doesn’t require any paperwork or contracts.
- Angel Investors: They usually have more money than family and friends and are more willing to take a risk on your company.
- Business Loans from Banks: Will require much more paperwork and has longer repayment period tough with higher interest rates.
- Startup Incubators: Incubators are usually funded by local and national governments, which means that they’re more likely to have a lower risk.
- Venture Capital Funds: These are investors who offer loans or equity investments that have less risk of defaulting than other types of investments.
- Corporate Investors: An investor who is either buying a company outright or investing into it as part of an acquisition will be a corporation.
- Peer to Peer Lending: This is an investment that allows individuals or companies to lend directly to other individuals or companies without going through a bank.
Funding is the lifeblood of any company. It can be difficult to get funding for your business hence before approaching investors or Banks for financing your food processing business it is important to have a good understanding of the following:
- How much money do you need?
- What should be the timeline for repayment?
- What are the terms and conditions of the investment?
- What is the risk involved?
These are some of the questions that you should answer before approaching an investor.
7. How To Choose The Best Location for your Food Processing Business in India?
The choice of a location for a food manufacturing business depends on the type of food being manufactured. Location is important for many reasons. The location needs to be near the market, have access to raw materials, have a good infrastructure and be able to provide a good quality of life for the employees.
Here are some of the important points to consider when deciding on the location for your food processing company.
- Nearness to market: If your company produces goods or services that need to be sold in the local market, then it is important that you are close enough to the markets for sales and distribution can happen seamlessly.
- Access to raw materials: This is as important if you produce finished goods than sources of raw materials should be easily accessible it could be critical to your business if you need certain uninterrupted inputs like fuel or water.
- Good infrastructure: This means having access to roads, ports, and airports so that your products can reach their destinations quickly and efficiently.
- Availability of labour: It is important to choose a place which has an adequate supply of skilled and semi-skilled labour and employees who live in the local area so that they are available when needed.
There are other factors as well to consider when choosing the right location for setting up your Food processing business. The following is a list of some of the other important considerations:
- Transportation and Logistics
- Local Taxes
- Local Government regulations
- Local culture and customs
- Climate and Natural resources.
- Reliable infrastructure including power, water, sewage, and roads.
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8.What are some good Marketing Channels to promote a Food Business

The first step to marketing your food processing business is to create a solid marketing plan. Your plan should include goals and objectives, as well as tactics and strategies that you will use to reach those objectives. This plan should be written before you begin any marketing efforts so that you know what you are trying to accomplish and how best to go about it.
You should also consider the demographics of your target audience in order to market your product effectively. You may need different strategies depending on whether your target audience is younger or older, male, or female, or from a different country than yours.
We have listed down some the marketing strategies to help you succeed in your food business.
- Social Media Marketing: Social media marketing is a way to increase visibility and engagement with your target audiences. With the use of a variety of marketing tactics, you can engage with your audience by creating content they will love. This will help grow your brand, creating more opportunities for success.
- Local Marketing: Local marketing is the process of growing a company’s business in a specific locale market. It is important to any small food business to expand in local markets.
- Email Marketing: An Email Marketing Strategy is a plan or set of guidelines for an organization to follow in order to achieve the best possible return on investment when using email as a direct marketing medium.
- Content Marketing: Content marketing strategies are an important part of building a digital and online presence for your business. Content marketing is not just the act of sharing content; it is an intricately planned long-term strategy for boosting brand awareness and driving sales.
- Paid Advertising: Paid advertising strategies are an effective way for companies to reach their target audience. These strategies can include a variety of channels such as TV, radio, internet, or even billboards.
- Traditional Marketing: Traditional Marketing Channels are the traditional methods of marketing. These channels include TV, print and radio advertising, outdoor and transit advertising, as well as direct mail. Many marketers are using these channels less often because they are costly and don’t always provide the best return on investment.
The success of your food processing business depends on the marketing strategies you use. You need to find a way to make your products stand out from the competition and make it easier for customers to find your business both online and offline.
4 Tips That Will Help You Succeed In Your Own Food Manufacturing Venture
Lastly, here are four tips that will help you succeed in your own food manufacturing venture.
- Have Long Term Vision- Make sure that you have a clear long term vision of what you want to do and what your goals are. Food business are often highly competitive in nature and requires long term commitments to even break even.
- Find Mentor– Find a mentor or an industry experienced business partner who can provide you guidance and advice. Having an experienced hand behind your backs always helps in tough times.
- Seek Funds– Funding is important to grow business in the long term. Seek funding from friends, lenders, or investors. A Business that has good source of funding is often easy and fast to scale.
- Build Networks- Networking is a craft. And building a good network with other professionals in the industry is work of craftmanship this is a skill that you should learn. Remember that most often strong networks build strong businesses.
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Conclusion:
In Conclusion, all we can that starting a food manufacturing business in India is a rewarding ad a profitable business in the long run if managed well. There are few roadblocks as the food industry is highly regulate and competitive at the same time. But with enough focus, hard work and dedication you can make a good profitable business in Food industry.
Hope This article has provided you information that will help you succeed in your own food manufacturing venture.
There are many factors to consider when starting your own food manufacturing business, and it can be difficult to know where to start. That is why we have compiled a list of four tips that will help you succeed in your own food manufacturing venture.
Best of Luck!
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