MELBOURNE, 16 June 2023: With rising Indian/South Asian population in Australia and Melbourne, the demand for products that cater to their special eating habits has been rising. It’s not uncommon to spot special Indian shops in suburbs selling frozen Indian food, spices, grocery, sweets, faith products, ayur products and much more. Some of these food products and rice are now available in big stores like Costco, Woolworths, Coles and Aldi. A big presence of wholesalers are dealing with these products here and supplying to individual stores and bulk buyers. No doubt, it needs regular information and supply arrangements for all sides in this trade. And, retail buyers need to know the products in scattered shops.
To address all this the Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI) and the Indian Consulate’s Commerce section organised a Food and Beverages Buyer Seller Meet (BSM) on 16 June 2023 at Mercure Melbourne, Albert Park. A delegation of around 35 business people comprising manufacturers and exporters of Indian and Bhutanese food and beverages products proudly displayed some of their products to potential buyers. The companies dealing in this business displayed their packed Indian snacks plus spices, tea, millet chips, ethnic snacks, ready to eat curries, sweets laced with lots of goodwill.
One of India’s oldest product the 117 years old ‘Rooh Afza’ from ‘Hamdard’ along with their new products could be seen. Rooh Afza was formulated in 1906 in Ghaziabad, India by Hakeem Md. Kabeeruddin. The ingredients of Rooh Afza include the essences of coriander, orange, pineapple, carrot, rose petals, spinach and mint.
Their Senior Manager (International Business) Rohit Jha told SAT how the Rooh Afza made in India was the real one with all the original ingredients in it. Indian Consul General Dr. Sushil Kumar opened the buyer-seller meet assuring the business guests of all support from the Indian Consulate to enhance their business needs.
The sellers came from Delhi, Gujarat, Telangana, Gujarat, Assam, Maharashtra, UP, Rajasthan, Uttrakhand and Bhutan. Mr Rajesh Bhatia, India at Home, CEO could be seen talking with many sellers. Mr Ilanko, Indo Ceylon Spices (ICS) came early and had a look around and talks with businesses displaying their stuff. The event was a good starter and with the Australia India free trade agreement taking shape, the organisers hoped for a better outcome.
