In the picture: TFTAK Business Development Manager Merli Üle and TFTAK Food Scientist Mark Rohtaru. Photo: Trade with Estonia
Last week, Estonian entrepreneurs and the Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, Piret Hartman, participated in a business mission to India. The delegation garnered significant attention at one of Asia’s largest food exhibitions, SIAL India.
Two Estonian companies secured awards at the SIAL India food fair, which marked the culmination of the business visit, with several others receiving commendations. In the innovation category, the Centre of Food and Fermentation Technologies (TFTAK) won first place with its pea-protein-based salmon fillet. Second place went to Revala for its vitamin-enriched plant-based ice cream powder.
Among the nominees, Yook Production stood out with its range of three-oat drinks. Additional nominations included A. Le Coq in the category of non-alcoholic beverages and Haage Joogid in the design category.
“It is encouraging to see that the market for alternative proteins in India is not only vast but also rapidly expanding,” said Merli Üle, TFTAK’s Business Development Manager. “At the SIAL exhibition, we received outstanding feedback for our pea protein salmon fillet, including the award for the year’s most innovative product, as well as numerous contacts with high collaboration potential,” she added.
“Our clean environment enables the production of premium organic goods. Furthermore, Estonia is at the forefront of food innovation and biotechnology, offering sustainable food processing technologies adaptable to the Indian market.”
Eva-Kristiina Ponomarjov, Head of the Enterprise Estonia Export Division
Enterprise Estonia, the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, and the Estonian Embassy in New Delhi jointly organised the business mission, which enabled Estonian food and beverage companies to showcase their products to potential Indian partners and clients. Meanwhile, Minister Hartman held meetings with India’s Minister of Agriculture and Ministers of Commerce and Industry to explore opportunities for strengthening bilateral cooperation.
“We’ve laid a solid foundation in India for Estonian companies to expand their markets,” said Minister Piret Hartman. “Collaboration agreements were reached at both ministerial levels, and numerous valuable connections with potential business partners were established.”
She added, “Our products are of high quality, and thanks to advanced technologies, there is substantial interest in them. The accolades won at the Indian exhibition, both by the winners and nominees, reflect the great potential of our entrepreneurs.”
Estonia is offering sustainable food processing technologies for the Indian market
Merli Üle, TFTAK’s business development manager, found the week-long business mission highly beneficial. “We are grateful for the thoughtfully organised visit! It provided TFTAK with a focused overview of market specifics, allowed us to meet and network with key influential businesses, and introduced our world-class food innovation services,” Üle explained.
TFTAK won first place with its pea-protein-based salmon fillet in the food innovation category at the SIAL India food fair. Photo: TFTAK
Eva-Kristiina Ponomarjov, Head of the Enterprise Estonia Export Division, sees significant potential for Estonian companies in the Indian market. “Estonia is renowned for its high-quality organic products, including honey, alcohol, plant-based meat substitutes, superfoods, and yeast production,” said Ponomarjov. “Our clean environment enables the production of premium organic goods. Furthermore, Estonia is at the forefront of food innovation and biotechnology, offering sustainable food processing technologies adaptable to the Indian market.”
“We’ve laid a solid foundation in India for Estonian companies to expand their markets.”
Piret Hartman, the Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture
India’s food and beverage industry is one of the largest in the world, handling 460 million tonnes of food annually, valued at approximately €3 billion. Current trends indicate a growing demand for health and organic products and premium-quality alcohol. Estonia’s cross-sector exports to India amounted to €80 million last year.
The Estonian delegation at the recent business mission included representatives from A. Le Coq, Balsnack International Holding, Bon Vegan, Haage Joogid, Revala, Saku Õlletehase, TFTAK, Tohi Distillery, Vegestar, and Yook Production.
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