Florida agri dept explores Indian retail

The Florida Department of Agriculture is educating its 40,000 farmers and a number of food processing companies on India's retail sector, in an attempt to boost its agri sector. The move indicates India's growing importance in the global retail market.

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H Bronson released a report titled "India: Road to Success" on September 10. The report comprises a survey carried out on India's retail sector in four major locations, including Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi, and the tri-city region of Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai.

The 60-page report presents data obtained during marketing research missions conducted in the last four years by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) in conjunction with the Southern United States Trade Association.

"Florida marketers examined India to assist our farmers in developing a better understanding of the willingness of Indian consumers to purchase imported goods," said Charles H. Bronson, Commissioner, FDACS, replying to Business Standard queries.

The objective is to educate our agricultural producers on the export potential of this market and the significant improvements in the grocery retail sector underway right now, he added.

"The agricultural sector in Florida experienced a drought last year (2006) and this of course impacts production, yields and ultimately sales values.

"So there was a decline of more than $150 million in horticulture production. But there were some gains in a number of areas.

"Agriculture remains a viable and vital part of the state's economy and is the second largest (after tourism) contributor to the economy of Florida," Bronson stressed.

Research shows that a modern and sophisticated retail grocery sector is emerging in India amid the traditional kiosks and small shops.

"An estimated 120 million affluent Indian consumers are fuelling India's retail revolution," Bronson said.

"Currently this country has fewer than 2,000 US-type supermarkets, but this number is growing rapidly. As grocery retailers expand, so does the need for imported products to satisfy consumer demand. Florida producers should be poised for these opportunities."