The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority presented India’s expanding agricultural and processed food export capabilities at the 40th edition of AAHAR 2026, one of South Asia’s largest food and hospitality exhibitions, held from 10 to 14 March at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
The event, organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation, brought together exporters, food processors, buyers, policymakers and international delegates to explore new business opportunities and strengthen global trade linkages in the agri food sector. Italy participated as the country partner for the landmark edition of the exhibition.
The fair was inaugurated by Piyush Goyal, who highlighted India’s growing global presence in agricultural and processed food exports. Addressing the gathering, he said that India’s food and agriculture sector is entering a new phase of global opportunity, with agricultural and processed food exports crossing ₹5 lakh crore annually.
He noted that over the past decade, exports of processed foods, fruits, pulses and vegetables have expanded significantly, reflecting the growing capabilities of farmers, fishermen and food processors across the country. The minister emphasised that India’s agricultural exports are increasingly gaining international recognition due to improvements in quality, value addition and supply chain integration.
Piyush Goyal also underlined the role of free trade agreements in expanding global market access for Indian food products. He pointed out that India has recently concluded major trade agreements with partners including the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Switzerland and other EFTA nations. At the same time, engagement with countries such as Japan, Korea, the United Kingdom, Oman and Mauritius has been strengthened, while discussions continue with Canada and the European Union.
According to the minister, these agreements are opening preferential market access for Indian agricultural products across nearly two thirds of global trade, enabling farmers, micro small and medium enterprises and food processing companies to expand exports to high value markets.
At the exhibition, APEDA set up a large pavilion to showcase India’s diverse agri export basket and create a platform for exporters, producer organisations, state governments and industry stakeholders to connect with buyers and distributors from India and abroad.
The APEDA Pavilion was inaugurated by Nitin Kumar Yadav along with Abhishek Dev and Neeraj Kharwal in the presence of senior officials from the government, representatives of participating states, exporters and industry stakeholders.
Spread across an exhibition space of approximately 2,500 square metres, the pavilion featured more than 100 exhibitors including exporters, startups, farmer producer organisations and food processing enterprises from across India. The pavilion served as an important business platform for companies to explore new partnerships, expand export networks and promote value added agricultural products.
Key product segments highlighted at the pavilion included Basmati rice, non Basmati rice, organic products and emerging plant based food products. These segments reflect the evolving global demand for premium quality grains, sustainable agricultural produce and innovative food alternatives.
A special focus was placed on plant based foods, showcasing a range of innovative products that are gaining increasing popularity in global markets due to rising consumer demand for sustainable and health conscious food options.
As part of the event, APEDA also released research reports on cucumber, cashew, pineapple and pomegranate prepared in collaboration with the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations. These reports provide insights into production trends, supply chains, export potential and strategies to enhance India’s competitiveness in international markets.
In addition, APEDA launched packaging design solutions and technical standards for several region specific agricultural products in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Packaging. The initiative is aimed at improving product protection, shelf life and export presentation, particularly for geographical indication tagged and organic products.
The packaging initiative covers products such as Karbi Anglong Ginger from Assam, G4 Chilli and Jalgaon Banana from Maharashtra, Assam Kaji Nemu from Assam and Prayagraj Surkha Guava from Uttar Pradesh. These solutions are designed to strengthen branding, maintain quality during transportation and enhance the global appeal of region specific agricultural produce.
The exhibition also featured pavilions from numerous states including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal.
These state pavilions showcased region specific agricultural products, traditional food items and export ready produce, highlighting the diversity of India’s agri food sector and its growing capacity to supply global markets.
A major attraction at the APEDA Pavilion was live culinary demonstrations and wet sampling sessions conducted by a renowned chef who prepared innovative recipes using Indian agricultural and processed food products. The live sessions allowed visitors and buyers to experience the versatility and quality of Indian ingredients in contemporary cuisine.
AAHAR 2026 witnessed strong industry participation and attracted more than one lakh visitors during the five day exhibition. The event provided opportunities for exporters, food processors and agri entrepreneurs to engage with buyers, distributors and institutional stakeholders from across the world.
Officials said APEDA’s participation at AAHAR 2026 reflects India’s expanding capabilities in agricultural production, food processing and export oriented supply chains. The exhibition also demonstrated the country’s commitment to promoting value addition, improving packaging and strengthening international market access for Indian agricultural products.
Through initiatives such as research based market insights, improved packaging standards and international trade platforms, APEDA aims to support farmers, exporters and food processing companies in expanding India’s presence in global agri food markets.
