:: BRISBANE(Topmcxtips.com): The real value of agri food demand in India is set to rise by 136 per cent between 2009 and 2050, reflecting strong income and population growth across the continent, according o a research report.
Th research was conducted by ABARES, the research center of Australian Department of Agriculture.
ABARES Executive Director, Karen Schneider, said: “Increasing income levels in India have led to a diversification of diets, with rising per person consumption of dairy products, fruit and vegetables.”
“Combined with a population growth rate that is one of the highest in Asia, that means food demand will increase significantly.”
Under current agricultural policies in India, consumption growth between 2009 and 2050 is strongest for fruit (246 per cent), vegetables (183 per cent) and dairy products (137 per cent), which together account for 77 per cent of the total projected rise in food consumption by 2050.
“While the demand for food has largely been met by domestically produced products to date, food imports have also risen. For many commodities imports will continue to rise over the coming decades,” Ms Schneider said.
“India’s growth in agri food imports toward 2050 is predominantly driven by vegetables, which are projected to reach $47 billion by 2050, in 2009 US dollars.
“Fruit imports are projected to reach US$58 billion by 2050, with dairy products at US$13 billion and wheat US$15 billion also expected to rise significantly.”