The 40th edition of AAHAR 2026 – The International Food & Hospitality Fair was inaugurated in New Delhi by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. APEDA showcased India’s diverse agri-export basket, new research reports, and packaging innovations to boost global competitiveness.
The 40th edition of AAHAR – The International Food & Hospitality Fair was inaugurated at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, by Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal. Organized by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), this landmark edition features Italy as the Country Partner. The ceremony was attended by senior officials from the Embassy of Italy, ITPO representatives, government dignitaries, industry leaders, exhibitors, and delegates from India and abroad.
In his keynote address, Piyush Goyal emphasized that India’s food and agriculture sector is entering a new era of global opportunity. He highlighted that exports of agricultural and processed food products have surpassed ₹5 lakh crore annually, positioning India among the world’s leading exporters. Over the past decade, exports of processed foods, fruits, pulses, and vegetables have grown substantially, underscoring the resilience and diversity of India’s farmers, fishermen, and food processors.
The Minister noted that India’s expanding network of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) has opened significant avenues for agricultural exports. Recent agreements with the UAE, Australia, Switzerland, and other EFTA nations, along with strengthened ties with Japan, Korea, the UK, Oman, and Mauritius, and ongoing discussions with Canada and the EU, are enabling preferential market access across nearly two-thirds of global trade. These developments create new opportunities for farmers, MSMEs, and food processors to access high-value markets.
A central feature of the Aahar 2026 fair was the sprawling pavilion by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), which served as a dynamic platform to exhibit India’s diverse agri-export basket. The pavilion was inaugurated by Nitin Kumar Yadav (Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce), Abhishek Dev (Chairman, APEDA), and Neeraj Kharwal (Managing Director, ITPO). Spread across 2,500 square metres, the pavilion hosted over 100 exhibitors, including exporters, producer organizations, startups, and food processing enterprises. It showcased India’s diverse agri-export basket and facilitated interactions between exporters and buyers from domestic and international markets.
During the inauguration, APEDA released four research reports on cucumber, cashew, pineapple, and pomegranate, developed in collaboration with knowledge partner ICRIER. These reports offer critical insights into supply chains, export potential, and strategies to enhance India’s global competitiveness.
APEDA also unveiled new packaging design solutions and technical standards. Developed with the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), this initiative targets region-specific, GI-tagged, and organic products to improve protection, shelf life, and market presentation. The products covered include Karbi Anglong Ginger (Assam), G4 Chilli and Jalgaon Banana (Maharashtra), Assam Kaji Nemu, and Prayagraj Surkha Guava (Uttar Pradesh).
The pavilion featured key export segments including Basmati Rice, Non-Basmati Rice, Organic Products, and Plant-Based Foods, reflecting India’s expanding portfolio in global agri-food markets. A special showcase on plant-based products highlighted innovative and sustainable alternatives gaining traction internationally. Live wet sampling sessions by a renowned chef further engaged visitors by presenting creative recipes using Indian agricultural and processed products.
Several State Pavilions participated, representing 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 highlighted region-specific products, traditional foods, and export-ready agricultural produce, reinforcing the diversity of India’s agri-food sector.
Through its comprehensive participation, APEDA successfully showcased India’s growing capabilities in high-quality production, value addition, and its readiness to meet the demands of international markets.
Over one lakh visitors attended AAHAR 2026, making it one of South Asia’s largest B2B platforms for the food and hospitality industry. The exhibition provided a vital interface for business networking, product promotion, and knowledge exchange across the agri-food value chain.
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