Australia to offer processed food in retain chains

Bangalore, Mar 10 (UNI) Cashing in on the retail boom in India, Australia will soon offer its premium packed and processed food entering the country through this city.

Though already selected, companies from Australia have pitched their tents in the country, a concerted effort to promote Australian food in retail chains would trigger from retail malls in Bangalore with 48 products from 12 product companies floated in a test marketing initiative.

Australian National Food Industry Strategy Ltd (NFIS) Managing Director Susan Nelle told newsmen here that a group of leading Australian food producers had linked with Indian based A B Mauri to sell their products under an initiative of NFIS, a government agency and Astrade.

Besides aiming to provide greater access to Australian food products, especially in health and wellness categories, the effort was to build a long term growth between the food industries of the two countries, she said. Possibly joint ventures could be forged to develop food to suit the Indian palate, Dr Nelle said.

Australian Senior Trade Commissioner for South Asia Michael Moignard said that there would be a six-month campaign in big retail chains in Bangalore and that would slowly extend to other southern cities and later throughout the country.

Dr Nelle said about 25 super markets were taking part in the programme, which included in store promotions to inform consumers about the Australian food products ranging from pastas, cake mixes and sauces to tinned vegetables, snack bars and fruit conserves.

Obviously these would be premium products and intend to offer value for money to the consumers, she added.

Australia enjoyed a huge trade surplus with India as it exported to India goods and commodities worth seven billion dollars last year, as against India's exports amounting to only one billion dollar. The trade was growing at about 20 per cent, Mr Moignard said.

UNI