Bangalore: The Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA), a non-profit agricultural export trade development association that comprises the departments of Agriculture of the 15 Southern States of the U.S. and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, is now geared to promote and market high-end food products in India.

Imports2India Consulting (i2i) is the in-country consultant for SUSTA which has brought a high-level trade mission to India in an attempt to increase the export of southern U.S. food and agricultural products. The mission was in Bangalore on Thursday showcasing its products, meeting key importers and buyers and surveying the fast evolving Indian retail scenario.

The mission consisted of Bernard D'Andria president, Acorn International; Mike Mistry from Salwa Foods; Gordon Harnesberger from Worldwide Marketing Corporation; Eric Lewis from BNR Global; James C. Curry from Custom Ingredients Ltd.; Jiunn Der Wu from East-West Development; and Emily Miramontes from American Trading International, INC (ATI).

Bernadette Wiltz, director Generic Program, SUSTA, said, "India is a potential market for SUSTA. Our India initiative `Southern' has been designed to reach out to Indian importers, retailers, distributors and high-end consumers to promote various products and cuisines of the southern region of the U.S. Our research shows that there is a good market particularly for niche products such as pet foods or health foods having low sugar content and anti-oxidant properties, in India.

"Hence, we plan to showcase and export high value added food products targeted at the upper end consumers particularly in metros and mini metros in India."

Devna Khanna, director, Imports2India, said, "SUSTA has received many enquiries from Indian importers for various kinds of unique food and agricultural products. Encouraged by the market response, we launched Pecans, a nut that is grown in southern States of the U.S. for the first time in India."

Paul Davis, International Development Representative, Florida Department of Agriculture, remarked, "India's proposed entry to WTO has spurred interest among the U.S. food exporters who are attracted to the subcontinent's bustling cities, large population and growing middle class. India's relaxation of barriers on food imports is also encouraging for the U.S. food suppliers. We foresee tremendous opportunity for our food companies in India."

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