Positive impactSector
Why food processing is India’s real frontier in the fight against food waste
BusinessLine 3 hrs ago·17 Oct 2026, 3:45 am
India’s food‑processing industry is emerging as a key battleground against the country’s high post‑harvest losses. While the nation continues to boost agricultural output, a sizable share of crops never reaches consumers due to inadequate preservation, processing and distribution infrastructure. Recent policy announcements and private‑sector investments are aimed at expanding cold‑storage capacity, modernising processing plants and improving supply‑chain efficiency.
For investors, a more efficient food‑processing ecosystem can translate into stronger earnings for companies that supply equipment, packaging, logistics and value‑added food products. Reducing waste not only improves margins but also aligns with growing ESG expectations, making the sector attractive for capital seeking sustainable growth.
Going forward, watch for government incentives on cold‑chain development, the pace of mergers and acquisitions among processors, and the rollout of new technologies such as automation and IoT that could reshape the industry’s cost structure and scalability.
Excerpt from BusinessLine
India has never grown so much. Foodgrain output for 2025 to 26 reached a record 376.56 million tonnes, and horticulture output is estimated at 377.8 million tonnes. Yet only 16 to 17 per cent of what we grow is processed, and post-harvest losses are valued at over ₹1.5 lakh crore. This gap remains one of the least…Read the original at BusinessLine
Key takeaways
- Category: Sector.
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