India has seen a remarkable increase in the consumption of exotic foods, with avocado intake reaching 4 million kg in the first half of 2024, up from 140,600 kg in the same period in 2019, and a significant leap from 15,170 kg in the first half of 2015. The avocado, originally from Mexico, is now also cultivated within India and elsewhere.
The interest in exotic foods among Indians has expanded to include items like dragon fruit, with a notable rise in imports over the past decade. This trend aligns with the expansion of the middle class and their increased disposable income. According to Madan Sabnavis, chief economist at Bank of Baroda, factors such as rising income, social media influence, health consciousness, and the snob effect are driving this consumption pattern.
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Imports of fresh fruits like cranberries and dragon fruit have surged, from being nearly non-existent until 2015 to reaching 25.9 million kilos in the first half of recent years. Similarly, imports of grapefruits, pomelos, and mandarins have increased sixfold since 2015. The luxury food segment, including truffles and preserved olives, has also seen significant growth, with truffle imports increasing sevenfold and olive trade doubling over the last decade.
The demand for international cuisine is evident in the rising imports of pasta and soy sauce, with pasta imports increasing fivefold and soy sauce by 19 times over the last decade. Over 1.5 million litres of soy sauce were imported into India in the first six months of 2024 alone.
Experts suggest that the rise in quick commerce has facilitated the availability of these exotic items, contributing to the overall increase in food imports, which have grown 1.8 times over the last decade. The volumes of fruits and vegetables imported have also seen a rise, alongside a 2.3-times jump in prepared food products.
Source: moneycontrol.com