Spanish Firm, IFFCO to Set up Quick Freezer Plant for Vegetables in Punjab

A Spanish company Congelados De Navarra together with fertiliser major IFFCO will set up a quick freezer plant for vegetables in Ludhiana, with an initial investment of Rs. 550 crore, according to a food processing ministry officer.

The official informed that the foundation stone of the freezer plant would be laid on Thursday, 30^th May 2019. The proposed facility will have a technology to freeze individually every piece of vegetable so that the final product is not frozen into a solid block. The technology is known as ‘Individually Quick-Frozen’ (IQF) method, the official said.

The firm has pioneered the Individually Quick-Frozen technology. It processes fruits, vegetables, herbs & ready-made pre-cooked dishes. The Spanish company had announced its plans to establish the facility during the World Food Summit hosted by the central government in 2017.

The official further said that “The Spanish firm’s IQF plant will be its largest in country with a processing capacity of up to 80,000 / annum. The production will begin in the next two years”.

With an initial investment of Rs. 550 crore, the proposed facility will be set up at Macchiwara, Ludhiana in 75 acres of land. He said the land has been purchased and the raw materials will be sourced locally.

The food processing ministry officer also told that the new facility aims to benefit around 10,000 farmers & generate 400 direct & 2,000 indirect jobs.

He added that “With a sharp focus on the training of farmers, execution of modern technology & knowhow, the project is expected to improve overall infrastructure within the agro-economic eco-system of the area, thereby contributing positively to the GDP of Punjab”.

The state has received a new state-of-the-art food processing plant at Saijjo Majra village & Rattipur near Samrala in Ludhiana.