Fruit And Vegetable Processing

FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PROCESSING 1. Processing plays an important role in the conservation and effective utilisation of available food supply as also in influencing dietary habits. Besides reducing wastages/Losses of food crops, processing helps to raise net levels of rural incomes by generating employment opportunities in rural areas. Processing enlarges the demand base for farm products and thereby helps in stabilising farm prices and incomes. Fruit and vegetable processing is a core activity of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. INSTALLED CAPACITY AND UTILISATION 1. The total installed capacity of fruit & vegetable processing industry has been increasing steadily and is estimated to be 8.94 lakh tonnes as at the end of December, 1990 as compared to estimated capacity of 7.08 lakh tonnes at the end of December, 1989. 2. The major processed items are fruit juices and pulps, ready-to-serve beverages (fruit based drinks), canned fruits and vegetables, jams, jellies, marmalades, pickles and chutneys, preserved and candied fruits and vegetables, sherbets, dehydrated vegetables and tomato products. More recently, products like frozen vegetables frozen pulps, freeze-dried vegetables, fruit juice concentrates, fruit bars and tomato paste etc. (are being manufactured in the fruit & vegetable processing industry). EXPORTS 3. During the period January to December, 1990 the export of fruit & vegetable products was 48,900 tonnes valued at Rs.73.67 crores as compared to 63,967 tonnes valued at Rs.79.48 crores during the corresponding period of 1989. The main reason for decline in the quantity of export is failure of mango crop and consequently high prices of mangoes. The major items of export were fruit juices, pulps, jams, pickles and chutneys, caned fruits & vegetables, concentrated pulps and juices, dehydrated vegetables, frozen fruits, frozen pulps and freeze-dried green pepper. REGULATION AND CONTROL 4. The Ministry administers the Fruit Products Order, 1955 (FPO) issued under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. The Order lays down product specifications and other requirements for quality control on production and marketing of fruit & vegetable products. Labelling and marketing requirements aimed at protecting the consumer interests have also been prescribed under the Order. All factory units coming under the purview of the Order are required to obtain a licence, which is granted after inspection of the premises to ensure conformity with the provisions of the Order. Periodic inspections of the factories are carried out by the technical staff of the Ministry in order to ensure adherence to the quality specifications and the maintenance of sanitary and hygienic conditions. Samples of fruit & vegetable products are drawn from the factories as also from the market, to exercise check on quality as per the specifications laid down in the Order. The total number of licensed units under FPO increased from 3,629 on 31st December, 1989 to 3,846 on 31st December, 1990. 4.1 The export of fruit & vegetable products from India is regulated under the Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963. The consignments of fruit product intended for export are subjected to pre-shipment inspection whereunder samples are drawn for analysis to ensure conformity with the FPO/Buyers specifications. Inplant inspection is carried out to ensure the quality of products in