AP Food Processing Policy

AP Food Processing Policy 4.0 — 2024–29

Scheme PolicyDetails
Policy NameAndhra Pradesh Food Processing Policy 4.0 (2024–29)
Original G.O.G.O.Ms.No.71, Industries & Commerce (Programme-III), dated 26-10-2024
Amendment 1G.O.Ms.No.23, dated 17-02-2025 — enhanced benefits for eligible special-category enterprises
Amendment 2G.O.Ms.No.104, dated 26-06-2025 — adoption of revised MSME classification effective 01-04-2025
Nodal AgencyAndhra Pradesh Food Processing Society (APFPS)
CoverageEntire State of Andhra Pradesh
Policy Period5 years: 26-10-2024 to 25-10-2029
Main ObjectivePromote primary, secondary and tertiary food processing, value addition, reduce post-harvest losses, improve exports, create employment and develop food-processing clusters
Major FocusAgriculture, horticulture, aqua, dairy, poultry, meat, fisheries, cereals, pulses, fruits, vegetables, spices, millets, organic food and allied food-processing activities
Maximum combined incentive principleThe original policy provides that the overall incentive package under the policy/subsequent policies should not exceed 75% of FCI, subject to the applicable rules.
Application mechanismAP Single Desk/State incentive mechanism, with APFPS as nodal agency for FPP incentives

1. Eligibility

The policy covers both new and expansion projects.

Eligible projects

  • New enterprises
  • Existing enterprises establishing new units
  • Existing enterprises undertaking expansion of existing units
  • Eligible technology-upgradation/modernisation projects
  • Food-processing projects in agricultural and allied sectors
  • Eligible FPOs, SHGs, Federations, Cooperatives and Societies
  • Eligible MSMEs
  • Large and Mega food-processing projects
  • Eligible special-category enterprises

Special-category enterprises

The 2025 amendment provides an additional 10% subsidy, within the applicable maximum cap, for enterprises wholly owned by eligible:

  • Women
  • BC
  • SC
  • ST
  • Minority
  • Specially-abled
  • Transgender entrepreneurs

subject to the policy's local-domicile/ownership conditions.

2. Applicable Industries / Activities

The Food Processing Policy is much broader than a conventional food-manufacturing subsidy.

Agriculture & food processing

  • Fruits processing
  • Vegetable processing
  • Grain processing
  • Rice/paddy processing
  • Pulses processing
  • Oilseed processing
  • Spice processing
  • Chilli processing
  • Turmeric processing
  • Mango processing
  • Banana processing
  • Tomato processing
  • Coconut processing
  • Cashew processing
  • Groundnut processing
  • Millets processing
  • Cocoa processing
  • Coffee/forest produce processing

Animal & allied sectors

  • Dairy processing
  • Milk products
  • Poultry processing
  • Meat processing
  • Fish processing
  • Shrimp/aqua processing
  • Animal-feed manufacturing
  • Modern abattoirs

Value-added food

  • Ready-to-eat products
  • Ready-to-cook products
  • Beverages
  • Packaged food
  • Processed agricultural products
  • Organic food processing
  • Export-oriented food products

Infrastructure / support activities

The policy also supports:

  • Cold-chain facilities
  • Food parks
  • Food testing laboratories
  • Waste-processing facilities
  • Irradiation facilities
  • Modern abattoirs
  • Export hubs
  • Common processing infrastructure.

3. Investment Limits / Project Classification

This is an important area because the classification was changed in 2025.

Current classification for investments from 01-04-2025

CategoryInvestment / FCI Band
MicroUp to ₹2.5 crore under revised MSME classification
SmallAbove ₹2.5 crore to ₹25 crore
MediumAbove ₹25 crore to ₹125 crore
LargeAbove ₹125 crore to ₹200 crore
MegaAbove ₹200 crore

Important transitional point

The amendment retains detailed incentive slabs based on investment bands, including:

  • Up to ₹1 crore
  • ₹1 crore–₹2.5 crore
  • ₹2.5 crore–₹10 crore
  • ₹10 crore–₹25 crore
  • ₹25 crore–₹50 crore
  • ₹50 crore–₹125 crore
  • ₹125 crore–₹200 crore

Therefore, the enterprise's investment date and applicable classification must be checked when determining the exact incentive slab.

4. Capital Subsidy — New Food Processing Enterprises

This is one of the major benefits.

Primary Processing

Under the current amended slab structure:

Investment slabCapital SubsidyMaximum
Up to ₹1 crore25% of FCI₹25 lakh
>₹1–₹2.5 crore25%₹50 lakh
>₹2.5–₹10 crore25%₹1.5 crore
>₹10–₹25 crore25%₹5 crore
>₹25–₹50 crore25%₹7 crore
>₹50–₹125 crore15%₹15 crore
>₹125–₹200 crore15%₹25 crore

The disbursement period is generally linked to the generation of the first tax invoice, ranging from 2 to 5 years depending on the slab.

5. Capital Subsidy — Secondary & Tertiary Processing

The policy gives higher support to value-added processing.

Investment slabCapital SubsidyCap
Up to ₹1 crore35% of FCI₹35 lakh
>₹1–₹2.5 crore35%₹80 lakh
>₹2.5–₹10 crore35%₹3.5 crore
>₹10–₹25 crore35%₹6 crore
>₹25–₹50 crore35%₹8 crore
>₹50–₹125 crore15%₹15 crore
>₹125–₹200 crore15%₹25 crore

The higher subsidy for secondary/tertiary processing reflects the policy's emphasis on value addition rather than only primary processing.

6. Special-Category Capital Subsidy

For enterprises wholly owned by eligible local-domicile Women/BC/SC/ST/Minority/Specially-abled/Transgender entrepreneurs, the February 2025 amendment provides an additional 10% subsidy, subject to the relevant maximum cap.

The amended special-category table provides, for example:

Primary processing

Investment slabSubsidyCap
Up to ₹1 crore35%₹35 lakh
>₹1–₹2.5 crore35%₹80 lakh
>₹2.5–₹10 crore35%₹3.5 crore
>₹10–₹25 crore35%₹6 crore
>₹25–₹50 crore35%₹7 crore
>₹50–₹125 crore25%₹15 crore
>₹125–₹200 crore25%₹25 crore

Secondary/Tertiary processing

Investment slabSubsidyCap
Up to ₹1 crore45%₹45 lakh
>₹1–₹2.5 crore45%₹1 crore
>₹2.5–₹10 crore45%₹4.5 crore
>₹10–₹25 crore45%₹7 crore
>₹25–₹50 crore45%₹8 crore
>₹50–₹125 crore25%₹15 crore
>₹125–₹200 crore25%₹25 crore

7. Technology Upgradation / Modernisation Subsidy

For eligible expansion projects, the policy provides a separate technology-upgradation incentive.

General structure

Investment slabSubsidyMaximum
Up to ₹1 crore20% FCI₹20 lakh
>₹1–₹2.5 crore20%₹40 lakh
>₹2.5–₹10 crore20%₹1 crore
>₹10–₹25 crore20%₹4 crore
>₹25–₹50 crore20%₹5 crore
>₹50–₹125 crore10%₹10 crore
>₹125–₹200 crore10%₹20 crore

8. Waste Processing Subsidy

The policy encourages conversion of food waste into useful products such as:

  • Biofuel
  • Animal feed
  • Compost
  • Other waste-to-value products.

General incentive

Investment slabSubsidyMaximum
Up to ₹1 crore25% FCI₹25 lakh
>₹1–₹2.5 crore25%₹60 lakh
>₹2.5–₹10 crore25%₹2.5 crore
>₹10–₹25 crore25%₹3.5 crore
>₹25–₹50 crore25%₹5 crore
>₹50–₹125 crore25%₹5 crore
>₹125–₹200 crore25%₹5 crore

FPOs/SHGs/Federations/Cooperatives/Societies can receive higher applicable category benefits, and the incentive is available for new as well as expansion projects.

9. Modern Abattoirs / Meat Processing / Animal Feed

For eligible projects involving:

  • Modern abattoirs
  • Meat processing
  • Animal-feed units

the policy provides a 35% FCI subsidy for applicable categories, with caps varying by investment slab.

The amended structure reaches up to:

  • ₹35 lakh
  • ₹85 lakh
  • ₹3.5 crore
  • ₹8.5 crore
  • ₹15 crore
  • ₹25 crore
  • ₹35 crore

depending on the investment slab.

FPOs/SHGs/Federations/Cooperatives/Societies receive higher applicable benefits in the relevant investment category.

10. Food Testing Laboratory Subsidy

The policy encourages establishment/upgradation of NABL-approved full-fledged food-testing laboratories, including antibiotic testing.

Benefit

35% of FCI towards:

  • Machinery
  • Technical civil works

Maximum

₹5 crore

Eligible projects

  • New food-testing laboratories
  • Upgradation of existing food-testing laboratories
  • Common-use facilities for food-processing units.

The eligible incentive is disbursed in two equal annual instalments after generation of the first tax invoice.

11. Power Cost / Tariff Reimbursement

General enterprises

CategorySubsidyPeriodAnnual cap
Micro₹1/unit6 years from DCP₹1 lakh
Small₹1/unit6 years₹5 lakh
Medium₹1/unit6 years₹15 lakh
Large₹1/unit2 yearsNo specific cap stated in original table

Special-category enterprises

The February 2025 amendment provides enhanced power support:

₹1.50 per unit for 5 years from DCP, with applicable annual caps depending on the investment slab/category. The amended table includes caps ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹15 lakh per annum.

12. Net SGST Reimbursement

This is another major recurring financial benefit.

MSME / FPO / SHG / Federation / Cooperative / Society

100% of eligible net SGST on sale of final products manufactured, sold and registered in Andhra Pradesh.

Period

6 years from commercial production under the original policy.

Annual ceiling

5% of annual turnover.

Large units

100% net SGST reimbursement for 5 years from commercial production, subject to the 5% of annual turnover ceiling.

The amended framework adjusts the applicable period/slabs for the revised classification, so the exact claim period should be checked against the investment date and applicable category.

13. Energy & Water Audit

Eligible MSMEs can receive:

Audit cost

75% of audit cost

Maximum

  • Water audit: ₹1 lakh
  • Energy audit: ₹2 lakh

Equipment recommended by audit

25% of eligible equipment cost, with caps:

EnterpriseMaximum
Micro₹20 lakh
Small₹40 lakh
Medium₹50 lakh

14. Skill Upgradation

CategoryBenefit
Micro₹5,000/person, maximum 10 persons
Small₹10,000/person, maximum 20 persons
Medium100% employer EPF contribution, capped at ₹1 lakh/year for 3 years

The policy also envisages technical training through institutions such as ICAR, CFTRI, IIMR, NIN, CIPET and NIFTEM, along with OJT and food-safety training.

15. Local Procurement Subsidy

For eligible exporting units in selected sectors:

EnterpriseBenefit
Micro1% of annual turnover for 3 years; overall cap ₹15 lakh
Small1% of annual turnover for 3 years; overall cap ₹1.5 crore
Medium1% of annual turnover for 3 years; annual cap ₹7 crore

The objective is to encourage domestic sourcing of raw materials.

16. Quality Certification Assistance

The policy provides support for certifications such as:

  • HACCP
  • GMP
  • ISO 9000
  • ISO 22000
  • GLP
  • TQM

The State provides reimbursement of the balance amount required to cover 100% of eligible certification cost after Government of India assistance, subject to the applicable conditions.

17. State R&D / Innovation Corpus

The policy establishes a ₹250 crore State corpus for areas including:

  • Research & development
  • Innovation
  • Quality certification
  • Traceability
  • Organic production/processing.

18. Food Parks & Infrastructure

The policy is not limited to direct subsidies.

It proposes/supports:

Focused Food Parks

With facilities such as:

  • Internal roads
  • Power
  • Water
  • Drainage
  • Effluent-treatment plants
  • Cold storage
  • Warehousing
  • Ripening chambers
  • Food-testing laboratories
  • Ready-to-use plots.

Nano Food Parks

The policy proposes nano food parks of less than 10 acres, aimed at micro food enterprises, with common facilities such as:

  • Roads
  • Power
  • Water
  • Cold storage
  • Warehouse
  • Flatted factories
  • External infrastructure.

Large Food Parks

The policy envisages 26 large parks, while also proposing 77 MSME parks and 175 Nano Food Parks, subject to implementation.

19. Food Export Hubs

The policy proposes four food export hubs, each planned at more than 500 acres, focused on:

  • Aggregation
  • Packing
  • Cold storage
  • Quality testing
  • Phytosanitary certification
  • Export compliance
  • Export logistics.

These hubs are intended to facilitate exports rather than function primarily as production/processing sites.

20. Cold Chain

The policy encourages investment in:

  • Cold storage
  • Refrigerated transportation
  • Pack houses
  • Perishable-product storage
  • Shrimp/fish cold chain
  • Fruit and vegetable cold chain
  • Dairy cold chain.

The objective is to reduce post-harvest losses and maintain quality from farm to market.

21. Irradiation Facilities

The policy also supports irradiation infrastructure through financial incentives and PPP models to improve:

  • Shelf life
  • Food safety
  • Export competitiveness
  • Quality of agricultural and processed products.

22. Eligibility Conditions

Important conditions include:

1. Andhra Pradesh investment

Eligible investment and employment must relate to the agricultural/food-processing/allied activity undertaken in Andhra Pradesh.

2. New / expansion status

The policy specifically distinguishes:

  • New projects → capital subsidy
  • Expansion projects → technology-upgradation/modernisation incentive

3. CFO

The enterprise generally needs to obtain Consent for Operation (CFO).

4. Commercial production

The unit must commence commercial production within the operative policy period, unless specifically exempted.

5. First tax invoice

Several capital subsidies are disbursed based on the first tax invoice, with different eligible periods depending on the project category.

6. Project delay

For specified capital subsidies, if a project is delayed beyond its committed completion date, the incentive can be reduced by 0.5% for each month of delay in DCP from the committed date stated in the application.

7. No double claim

The policy expressly says that eligible applicants under FPP should not claim the same/similar incentive under the AP Industrial Development Policy or AP MSME Policy.

8. Capital subsidy vs technology subsidy

These two incentives are mutually exclusive.

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