Culinary Revival: Bridging India’s Food Gap
Food A’fair 2024, organized by Blitz Exhibition Pvt Ltd, successfully concluded from June 13-15, 2024, at the HITEX Exhibition Centre, Hyderabad, Telangana. The event aimed to bridge the significant gap in India’s contemporary food and beverage (F&B) retail market.
Hyderabad, the City of Pearls, is experiencing a population boom, leading to a rising demand for diverse food products. With many working parents and growing families, the city offers a unique market opportunity. Therefore, the event has strategically positioned itself in Hyderabad to cater to these needs. Additionally, the event isn’t just about showcasing products; it’s about boosting sales, promoting products, and satisfying the appetites of a dynamic and growing consumer base in South India.
A Food Show for Hyderabad
Digging deeper into its purpose, the event was conceived to address the notable absence of high-quality food shows in South India. While Delhi and Mumbai have witnessed most of the prominent food and beverage trade fairs, the southern cities like Chennai and Bangalore have seen only crumbs of success.
“Leveraging our strong connections from Hyderabad to both South and North India, we saw an opportunity to bridge this gap with a dedicated food show in Hyderabad,” Srikanth Punati, Director, Blitz Exhibition Pvt Ltd, explained. This initiative marked the first noteworthy event in Hyderabad that focused specifically on the food retail industry, aiming to elevate the region’s presence in the national F&B trade fair circuit.
Shifting Tastes: Modern Consumer Trends
Building on the changing retail landscape in Hyderabad, the event was strategically designed to address the evolving needs of exhibitors and visitors. Major chains are expanding their presence in the city, marking a significant shift from traditional to modern retail formats and embracing e-commerce platforms.
This shift is influenced by the city’s shifting demographics, with residents now representing a blend of North and South India. “When it comes to e-commerce, there’s no distinction between South, North, or international markets—it’s a unified platform,” Punati shared.
Moreover, in response to the evolving trends in the market, Akil Gawar, Director, Telangana Food Processing Society, stated, “Automation and technology have significantly advanced in local food production.” He further added, “Traditionally, Indian cuisine has seen limited technological advancements, but there is growing interest in developing technologies suitable for Indian food products.”
Speaking from a consumer’s point of view, Pullela Gopichand, Head Coach, Indian National Badminton Team, states, “As athletes, dietary preferences and nutrition play a crucial role in optimizing performance. We prioritize high-quality food and a balanced diet rich in proteins, complex carbohydrates, and essential nutrients.” This can be traced back to the growing demand for healthy, organic foods.
As consumer preferences evolve towards organic, plant-based, and functional foods, the event provided a crucial platform to showcase products that resonate with these emerging trends. By uniting 54 exhibitors from various retail backgrounds—traditional, modern, and e-commerce—the event created a unique marketplace where businesses could connect with a diverse consumer base. This approach bridges gaps between different retail formats and ensures that businesses stay abreast of changing market dynamics and consumer demands.
Growing with the Trends
Offering a glimpse into certain trends, Punati pointed out, “Last year, there was a significant push with the international year of millets, resulting in numerous smaller companies emerging.” Likewise, innovative concepts are emerging in other functional foods, such as low-calorie options and dairy alternatives in milk.
Focusing on organic products, plant-based functional foods, and emerging trends like dietary foods and wellness concepts, he mentioned, “In our upcoming editions, we plan to delve deeper into these growing trends.” This approach makes the event stand out as a trendsetter in the F&B industry.
Going forward, the show will be organized annually at HITEX Exhibition Centre, Hyderabad. The next edition will take place from June 12-14, 2025.
Food A’fair 2024 took place from June 13-15, 2024, at the HITEX Exhibition Centre, Hyderabad. Organized by Blitz Exhibition Pvt Ltd, the event brought together 54 exhibitors from various retail sectors, including traditional, modern, and e-commerce. This gathering bridged the divide between different retail formats and helped businesses stay current with evolving market trends and consumer preferences.
