AAHAR 2026 strengthens India’s role in global food economy

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday inaugurated the 40th edition of AAHAR 2026, a major global B2B trade fair for the food and hospitality industry, at Bharat Mandapam.Organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), the five-day exhibition will be held from March 10 to March 14, bringing together food producers, exporters, hospitality businesses, technology providers and global buyers on a single platform to explore partnerships and business opportunities.
While speaking at the event ,Piyush Goyal says"This isn't just an exhibition, it's a festival... For the first time, we have made Italy our country partner. Given India's growing international influence... I am confident that festivals and exhibitions like these will greatly benefit India in taking full advantage of the avenues opened by FTAs... Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, India is today the 7th largest exporter in the world. Today, in agricultural and marine products, our farmers and fishermen export products worth approximately Rs 5 lakh crore. In the coming days, India will become the world's best, largest, and most renowned brand..."This aligns with his emphasis on India's export success, FTAs (India has signed 9 with 38 countries, covering two-thirds of global markets), and the sector's potential. 

#WATCH | Delhi | On attending 40th edition of AAHAR, Union Minister Piyush Goyal says, "This isn't just an exhibition, it's a festival... For the first time, we have made Italy our country partner. Given India's growing international influence... I am confident that festivals and… pic.twitter.com/0ejCjgfOsV

— ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2026

AAHAR, which has evolved over four decades into one of Asia’s prominent trade exhibitions for the food processing and hospitality ecosystem, is expected to witness extensive domestic and international participation this year.Around 1,800 exhibitors from sectors including processed food, rice, marine products, dairy, kitchen equipment, food processing technology and hospitality infrastructure are participating in the event. The exhibition is also hosting 155 international exhibitors from 17 countries, occupying nearly 125,000 square metres of exhibition space.
According to ITPO Chairman Jawed Ashraf, the exhibition connects India’s strong agricultural base with the rapidly expanding hospitality sector and serves as a key platform for business collaboration and technology exchange.Italy has been designated as the Partner Country for the 2026 edition, highlighting growing cooperation between India and the European region in areas such as food processing, gourmet foods and hospitality technologies.
Several curated pavilions have been set up at the event, including those by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, and international participants. Industry associations such as the All India Food Processors Association, Forum of Indian Food Importers and Hotel & Restaurant Equipment Manufacturers Association of India are also supporting the exhibition.The event will feature several industry-focused activities including Hospitality Challenge, Culinary Art India 2026, seminars, buyer-seller meets and culinary competitions aimed at encouraging innovation and collaboration in the food and hospitality sector.
A key attraction is the MasterChef-style culinary competition in Hall No. 1, where chefs and culinary experts will showcase international cuisines and emerging food trends.ITPO has also launched the AAHAR 2026 mobile application, which allows visitors to access exhibitor directories, interactive floor plans and schedule B2B meetings to enhance networking opportunities during the exhibition.Over the years, AAHAR has played an important role in strengthening India’s food processing sector, promoting MSMEs and facilitating global trade linkages in the food and hospitality ecosystem.

(Business Correspondent)