Shri Subodh Kant Sahai, Minister of Food Processing Industries informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply that Food Processing Industries are set up both in organized and unorganized sectors and as such data on the number of food processing units in the country including Tamil Nadu is not centrally maintained by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. However, as per competitiveness report on "Enhancing Competitiveness of Indian Manufacturing Industry, March 2009" published by National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council, Government of India, the total number of registered food processing units in Tamil Nadu is 3736. There are two Food Parks and one Mega Food Parks functioning in Tamil Nadu at present.

Shri Sahai informed the Lok Sabha that at present 22 units of the mango processing and pulp industries including fruit and vegetable processing industries are functioning in Tamil Nadu. During the year of 2009-10 (as on 02.03.2010) an amount of Rs.387.49 lakh were extended as financial assistance to the units/ entrepreneurs under the Scheme of Technology Upgradation/ establishment/ Modernisation of Food Processing Industries in Tamil Nadu.