BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY IN FOOD PROCESSING

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY IN FOOD PROCESSING

 

As the new airport comes up at Bangalore, food processing will increasing become attractive as the cost of transport and infrastructure required will be there. This is good opportunity for entrepreneurs who understand the food processing business.

 

Infrastructure gaps bug mangoes export to Japan

K.V. Kurmanath

DESPITE BEING POPULAR

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Infrastructure issues
The Japanese summer season is short and necessary infrastructure is required to process and pack the fruits
Vapour heat plants and pack houses are currently lacking and these need to be put into place to tap the Japanese market efficiently

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Hyderabad , Aug. 25

A trial consignment of Indian mangoes has turned to be a big hit in the Japanese market, following the Union Government's decision to allow Indian mangoes. Four importers have shown interest in getting mangoes from India when the season begins next summer.

But the systems still need to be put in place to tap the mango opportunity fully in the far-eastern country. Infrastructure facilities like vapour heat treatment plants and pack houses are lacking.

The Japanese officials notified protocols for import of mangoes from India and directed the quarantine officials to follow the protocols.

"They want the fruit in the summer and luckily our mango season suits it very well," a Ministry of Commerce official told Business Line.

Infrastructure

He, however, reminded that the season is quite short and it is very important to have necessary infrastructure to process and pack the fruits.

What is required is vapour heat plants. Though there is a plant operating in Maharasthra, it cannot meet the demand. It is also not viable for farmers in States like Andhra Pradesh to send the fruit all the way to Maharashtra for processing. "Andhra Pradesh alone needs at least three such plants to cater to the three regions," the official said.

"We have met up with marketing committees and other stakeholders to impress upon them the need for setting up such plants. Exporters and cooperatives should come forward to take an initiative," the official said. Depending on the capacity, each plant would cost anywhere between Rs 2 crore to Rs 7 crore.

What bothers the officials most is the lack of quality fruit. Of the 3 million tonnes of produce in Andhra Pradesh, only a fraction is fit for exports. "We need to focus on producing quality fruits," he said.

Other markets

Even as Japanese market promises huge opportunity, markets nearer to that in Hong Kong and China too offer good prospects for Indian mango growers. Exports to China via Hong Kong have begun, though in a small way.

The US market is expected to be opened up in two years time. The US has been asking for certain specifications like hot water treatment and irradiation.

 

WOMEN ONLY TAXIS

First there were women only compartments, women only floors in hotels, women targeted credit cards and now someone has thought of women only Taxis. This is a great idea, considering how difficult it is to differentiate one taxi service from another. In India, an auto is an auto is an auto with no difference what so ever. I have always thought there is potential to ‘brand’ them’ as ‘green autos’ which use CNG, with a clean shaven and well spoken trained driver. Now, with this idea of women only autos, this ‘branding the auto’ idea goes further. I am pretty sure that atleast 50% of the auto passengers are women. Another statistic will tell you the number of rapes and murders committed by the Auto or Taxi drivers, most murders motivated by rape. At Night, having a women auto driver automatically generates more trust and safety for a women passenger. What a great idea, but taxi-rules in India do not promote owning a taxi-company. Therefore the car rental market/ Taxi market in India is very highly fragmented.

Pink taxis for women

United Arab Emirates: Wednesday, August 16 - 2006 at 07:21

Dubai will soon run women-only taxis, with women drivers, according to Gulf News. The new taxis will have a distinctive pink roof, pink seats and interiors. 50 will be rolled out in the next few months.

 

BUSINESS AS USUAL

MOMENTOS AND SOUVENIRS

 

Where ever I travel- Airports, Hotels, MBA schools, Tourists places- there is ALWAYS something of a collection of souvenirs available to take back home. T-shirts, Mugs, batches, car-stickers, fridge magnets, clocks, caps, wall hangings, key-chains, lighters etc.

However other than possibly Agra, have you seen any in India? Do you remember seeing anything at the Airports? For Bangalore City, For Ooty? For Andamans?  Even such big chains like ITC, TAJ and OBEROIS don’t have their own. Jet does not sell its own model crafts. No airline has its own t-shirts selling on the planes or atleast not regularly so.

 

This is an SME opportunity to be developed.