**Executive Summary**
APEDA participated in the 40th edition of AAHAR 2026, held from March 10-14, 2026, in New Delhi. The event showcased India's agricultural and processed food export capabilities, highlighting the country's growing global presence and export opportunities. Key outcomes included the release of research reports and the launch of packaging solutions for regional agricultural products.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **APEDA's Participation at AAHAR 2026**
* APEDA, under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, participated in the 40th edition of AAHAR 2026, from March 10-14, 2026, in New Delhi.
* The event provided a platform to showcase India's agricultural and processed food export capabilities, connecting exporters, State representatives, and industry stakeholders.
* The 40th edition featured Italy as the Country Partner.
* **India's Agri-Food Export Performance and Opportunities**
* India's agri and processed food exports have crossed ₹5 lakh crore annually, positioning India among the world's leading exporters.
* Exports of processed foods, fruits, pulses, and vegetables have grown significantly over the past decade.
* India's expanding network of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) has created significant export opportunities, providing preferential market access across nearly two-thirds of global trade.
* Recent trade agreements have been concluded with the UAE, Australia, Switzerland, and EFTA nations, with ongoing discussions with Canada and the EU.
* **APEDA Pavilion Highlights and Initiatives**
* The APEDA Pavilion covered 2,500 square metres and hosted over 100 exhibitors, including exporters, producer organizations, startups, and food processing enterprises.
* Key export segments highlighted included Basmati Rice, Non-Basmati Rice, Organic Products, and emerging plant-based food products.
* Research reports on cucumber, cashew, pineapple, and pomegranate were released, offering insights into supply chains, export potential, and competitiveness strategies.
* Packaging design solutions and technical standards for selected region-specific agricultural products, including GI-tagged and organic items, were launched. This initiative aims to improve product protection, shelf life, and market presentation for exports.
* Products covered under the packaging initiative include Karbi Anglong Ginger (Assam), G4 Chilli and Jalgaon Banana (Maharashtra), Assam Kaji Nemu (Assam), and Prayagraj Surkha Guava (Uttar Pradesh).
* Live wet sampling sessions showcasing innovative recipes and applications of Indian agricultural and processed food products were conducted.
* **State Participation and Visitor Engagement**
* Several State Pavilions were featured within the APEDA space, showcasing region-specific products and traditional food items.
* APEDA's participation attracted over one lakh visitors during the five-day event, creating opportunities for interaction between exporters, buyers, distributors, and institutional stakeholders.
**Impact Analysis**
* **Exporters and Producer Organisations**
* **Impact**: Increased opportunities to showcase products, connect with potential buyers and distributors from India and abroad, explore collaborations, and expand market linkages. Access to insights on export potential and strategies.
* **Action Required**: Engage with buyers and stakeholders at the exhibition, leverage the platform for business networking, and utilize the released research and packaging solutions to enhance export competitiveness.
* **Food Processing Enterprises and Agri-entrepreneurs**
* **Impact**: Opportunities to explore collaborations, promote value-added agricultural products, and gain exposure to market trends and buyer demands. Access to innovative packaging solutions.
* **Action Required**: Participate in business networking events, explore opportunities for product promotion and collaboration, and consider adopting improved packaging solutions.
* **Farmers**
* **Impact**: Potential for expanded market access and higher value for their produce through increased exports and the promotion of region-specific and GI-tagged products.
* **Action Required**: Connect with producer organizations and exporters to understand market demands and opportunities arising from enhanced export capabilities and trade agreements.
* **MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises)**
* **Impact**: Access to preferential market access created by FTAs, fostering opportunities to expand exports and reach high-value markets.
* **Action Required**: Leverage information on FTAs and market access to develop export strategies and engage with platforms like AAHAR to connect with buyers.
* **Government Bodies (APEDA, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, ITPO, State Governments)**
* **Impact**: Successful execution of a major trade promotion event showcasing national export strength and facilitating business interactions. Opportunity to assess and promote India's agri-food sector.
* **Action Required**: Continue to facilitate such platforms for trade promotion, support the development and implementation of initiatives like packaging solutions, and leverage data from research reports to inform policy.
* **Buyers and Distributors (Domestic and International)**
* **Impact**: Access to a wide array of Indian agricultural and processed food products, including Basmati rice, organic, and plant-based options. Opportunity to identify new suppliers and forge business relationships.
* **Action Required**: Engage with exhibitors, explore product offerings, and establish business connections with Indian exporters.
Key Entities Referenced
APEDA: The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, which organized the pavilion and released research reports.
AAHAR 2026: The International Food & Hospitality Fair where APEDA showcased India's agri and processed food export strength.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry: The ministry under which APEDA operates and which Shri Piyush Goyal represents.
Shri Piyush Goyal: Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, who inaugurated the event and delivered a keynote address.
ITPO: The India Trade Promotion Organisation, which organized the AAHAR fair.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
APEDA Showcases India’s Agri and Processed
Food Export Strength at AAHAR 2026
India’s Agri and Processed Food Exports Cross ₹5 Lakh
Crore; FTAs Opening New Global Opportunities: Union
Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal
APEDA Releases Research Reports on Key Agricultural
Products, Launches Packaging Solutions for GI and Region-
Specific Exports
Basmati, Organic and Plant-Based Foods Highlighted at
APEDA Pavilion at AAHAR 2026
Posted On: 11 MAR 2026 12:43PM by PIB Delhi
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the
Ministry of Commerce & Industry, participated in the 40th edition of AAHAR 2026 held from 10–14
March 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. APEDA presented a pavilion highlighting India’s
agricultural and processed food export capabilities, bringing together exporters, State representatives and
industry stakeholders on a common platform.
The 40th edition of AAHAR – The International Food & Hospitality Fair was inaugurated by Union
Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal. Organised by the India Trade Promotion
Organisation (ITPO), the landmark edition of the event features Italy as the Country Partner. The
inauguration ceremony was attended by senior officials from the Embassy of Italy, representatives of
ITPO, government officials, industry leaders, exhibitors and delegates from India and abroad.
In his keynote address, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal said that India’s
food and agriculture sector is entering a new phase of global opportunity. He noted that with exports of
agricultural and processed food products crossing ₹5 lakh crore annually, India today stands among the
world’s leading exporters. Over the past decade, exports of processed foods, fruits, pulses and vegetables
have grown significantly, reflecting the strength and diversity of farmers, fishermen and food processors
across the country.
The Minister further said that India’s expanding network of Free Trade Agreements has opened significant
opportunities for the country’s food and agricultural exports. In recent years, India has concluded trade
agreements with countries and regions including the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Switzerland and
other EFTA nations, while strengthening engagement with partners such as Japan, Korea, the United
Kingdom, Oman and Mauritius, and advancing discussions with Canada and the European Union. Henoted that these agreements are enabling preferential market access for Indian products across nearly two-
thirds of global trade, creating new opportunities for farmers, MSMEs and food processors to expand
exports and access high-value markets.
The APEDA Pavilion was inaugurated by Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce Shri Nitin
Kumar Yadav along with Chairman, APEDA Shri Abhishek Dev and Managing Director, ITPO Shri
Neeraj Kharwal in the presence of senior officials from the Government of India, APEDA, participating
State Governments, exporters and industry representatives. The pavilion served as an important platform
to showcase India’s diverse agri-export basket and facilitate interactions between exporters and buyers
from domestic as well as international markets.
On the occasion, research reports on cucumber, cashew, pineapple and pomegranate prepared by APEDA
in collaboration with ICRIER as the knowledge partner were also released. The reports provide insights on
supply chains, export potential and strategies to enhance India’s competitiveness in global markets.
APEDA also announced the launch of packaging design solutions and technical standards for selected
region-specific agricultural products developed in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Packaging
(IIP). The initiative focuses particularly on GI-tagged and organic products and aims to improve product
protection, shelf life and market presentation for exports. The products covered under this initiative
include Karbi Anglong Ginger (Assam), G4 Chilli and Jalgaon Banana (Maharashtra), Assam Kaji Nemu
(Assam) and Prayagraj Surkha Guava (Uttar Pradesh).
Spread across an exhibition area of 2,500 square metres, the APEDA Pavilion hosted over 100 exhibitors
representing exporters, producer organisations, startups and food processing enterprises from across the
country. The exhibition provided opportunities for industry stakeholders to explore collaborations, expand
market linkages and promote value-added agricultural products.
The pavilion highlighted key export segments including Basmati Rice, Non-Basmati Rice, Organic
Products and emerging plant-based food products, reflecting India’s expanding portfolio in global agri-
food markets. A special feature on plant-based products showcased innovative and sustainable food
alternatives gaining traction in international markets.
Several State Pavilions were featured within the APEDA space with participation from 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 pavilions
showcased region-specific products, traditional food items and export-ready agricultural produce,
reflecting the diversity and strength of India’s agri-food sector.
APEDA’s participation at AAHAR 2026 attracted significant industry engagement, with over one lakh
visitors during the five-day event. The exhibition created opportunities for exporters, food processors and
agri-entrepreneurs to interact with buyers, distributors and institutional stakeholders from India and
abroad.
A key highlight of the APEDA Pavilion was live wet sampling sessions conducted by a renowned chef
presenting innovative recipes and applications using Indian agricultural and processed food products. The
pavilion also featured focused displays on Basmati Rice, Non-Basmati Rice, Organic Products and Plant-
Based Food products, enabling buyers and visitors to explore India’s export-ready offerings.
AAHAR continues to be one of the largest B2B platforms for the food and hospitality industry in South
Asia, offering an important interface for business networking, product promotion and knowledge
exchange across the agri-food value chain.Through its participation at AAHAR 2026, APEDA showcased India’s growing capabilities in high-quality
agricultural production, value addition and export-oriented supply chains. The pavilion brought together
exporters, startups, State agencies and producer organisations, highlighting opportunities to expand India’s
presence in international markets.
***
Abhishek Dayal/ Abhijith Narayanan/ Ishita Biswas
(Release ID: 2238052) Visitor Counter : 470
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