New Delhi, Apr 15: The worst drought in 15 years failed to cast its spell on the food processing industry which registered a moderate growth with the biscuit and malted food sectors growing by eight and five per cent respectively during fiscal 2002-03, a CII survey said today. The CII Agriculture Council survey covering 12 sectors including alchoholic beverages, biscuits, edible oil, fertilisers, sugar machinery, tea and tractors revealed that sales of beer went up by 12 per cent in 2002-03 from seven per cent in 2001-02.
Other alchoholic beverages grew even faster with sales rising by 7.5 per cent as against 3.5 per cent a year ago, the release said here.
Recovering heavily from last year's fall by 11.1 per cent, cigarettes and tobacco sales went up by 3.4 per cent while malt food production was up by five per cent as against last year's dip of eight per cent.
The survey confirmed the Central Statistical Organisation's estimate that the drought last year had hit agricultural output recording a 3.1 per cent fall and said it had affected input suppliers like tractors. Bureau Report