Uttar Pradesh (UP) is becoming one of India’s leading states for food processing. The government has updated its policies to include perishable items like fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy. The aim is to reduce food waste, add value to farm products, increase exports, and attract more industries to the state. With 100% foreign investment allowed in this sector, UP is ready to welcome both Indian and international companies.
Exports and Investment Rise
The share of processed food in UP’s exports has grown from 13.7% in 2014–15 to 25.6% in 2022–23. Since 2000, India has received over $12.58 billion in foreign investment for food processing. Experts say the Indian food processing market could reach $535 billion by 2025. Smaller cities are also seeing a rise in demand for packaged and ready-to-eat food. This trend offers big opportunities for companies and farmers alike.
Infrastructure and Projects
UP has built many food parks and clusters in cities like Varanasi, Saharanpur, and Gorakhpur. A Mega Food Park is coming up in Baheri, near Bareilly. Cold chains, rural markets, and eNAM mandis are also being developed. In different regions, companies are setting up food processing units. Agra is becoming a snack manufacturing hub, while Mathura is getting investment in dairy. Lucknow is seeing a ₹600 crore investment in chicken processing, and Bundelkhand will have a yellow pea protein plant for health foods.
Traditional Foods and Storage
The state is modernizing traditional foods like Mathura Peda and Kachori by building automated ready-to-eat food factories. A huge logistics park is being built in Dadri, near Noida and Jevar Airport. This will help with storage and exports. A 100-acre gamma radiation center is also being planned to make perishable foods safer for international markets.
One District One Product (ODOP) and the Growing Industry
The ODOP scheme has helped UP identify key food products in each district—such as jaggery, milk, potatoes, mangoes, garlic, and kalanamak rice. These products are now getting support for processing and packaging. Currently, there are over 2,000 organized food processing units in UP. Most work in areas like milling, bakery, dairy, sugar, and oils. The state has 23 cold chain projects, 22 PMKSY-supported units, and 154 lakh MT of cold storage capacity.
Uttar Pradesh as a leading Food Hub
Uttar Pradesh is fast becoming a major food industry hub. With improved infrastructure, smart policies, and support for traditional and modern foods, the state is creating new opportunities for farmers, industries, and exporters. Its focus on perishables and regional specialties is helping UP build a strong presence in India’s growing food economy.
Date: 5 August, 2025 (Mumbai)
Time: 10 AM to 5 PM
Fee: Rs. 2360
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