NEW DELHI: Spain sees a lot of complementarities in Spanish and Indian culinary traditions as it eyes the growing Indian market for food products.

"Spain and India are two markets with a great culinary tradition and food products of the highest level. Both Indians and Spanish are connoisseurs of quality food products," according to Jaime Palafox, director of the International Promotion of the Spanish Federation of Food and Drink Industries.

In most cases products of both countries are complementary "which makes us believe that a great potential of exchange between both countries exists," the Spanish embassy quoted him as saying in a statement ahead of the three-day International Food, Drink and Hospitality Exhibition opening here Dec 15.

Major Spanish food and beverages companies will showcase their products at the exhibition. They will display olive oil, sauces, wines, biscuits, cheese and dairy products, breakfast cereals, cider, juices, milk products and saffron.

"India, by virtue of its population and its economic progress in recent times, offers an enormous potential for Spanish food exports," the statement said, adding there had been increased demand for Spanish food and beverages in India.

Spain is a world leader in food products exports, but many of its "products and gastronomy (are) virtually unknown in India with a few exceptions like olive oil, the sangria and paella," he said.