Walmart keen to retail processed food: Secy

Walmart, the world's largest retailer, is keen to retail processed food in India after the government relaxed foreign investment norms, a top official said today.
Food Processing Secretary A K Srivastava said over USD 1 billion FDI has come in food processing sector during the last two years and with the government now permitting 100 per cent foreign investment in marketing of processed food produced and manufactured in India, "Walmart is showing lot of interest".
Also, a leading Brazilian poultry company has expressed keen interest in joining hands with Kishore Biyani's Future Group to sell their products in the country, he said but did not identify the company or give details.

"The government this year announced 100 per cent FDI in the retail trading of food products produced and manufactured in India. Now this we hope will give a big boost to the food processing sector," he told reporters here.
Walmart, which previously had tied up with Bharti Group to enter retailing in India, "is already showing lot of interest, he said. "Now we are hoping that they will come on their own and they will add to the growth story of this country".
"We recently had meetings with all the ambassadors of the important countries and we have asked them to give this message to their food processing players. We have meeting with industry associations. We have informed them about this initiative. We have asked them to bring players who can invest in India," he said.

The official said a Brazilian company "claiming to be world's leading exporter in poultry sector met us yesterday. They want to tie up with Biyani's Future Group to use their retail outlets."

However, when contacted, a Future Group spokesperson said there is no such development.
The US-based Walmart is present in the cash-and-carry retail format in the country.
Some of the major investments received in the last two years include Linde Group investment of USD 200 million in seafood segment in Andhra Pradesh; US-based Mondelez International has inaugurated its new manufacturing plant in Andhra Pradesh.
This plant has been set up with an investment of Rs 1,265 crore with an annual capacity of 250,000 tonnes.

Mars International India, a leading chocolate maker, has invested USD 114.63 million in Pune. With a total investment of USD 33.96 million, Kellogg's unit in Andhra Pradesh provides job to 500 persons. The company is also planning to set up an R&D facility and their third cereal facility in Mumbai.
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"As we have said earlier, the decision by the government to allow 100 per cent FDI under government approval route, including through e-commerce in trading of food products manufactured and/or produced in India is very progressive and far reaching," said Krish Iyer, President and CEO, Walmart India.

He said this step will help in reducing wastage, assist farm diversification and encourage industry to produce within the country.
"This move will benefit farmers, give impetus to food processing industry and create vast employment opportunities in the country. We are evaluating the model as per the guidelines announced," Iyer added.