Food Processing Minister Inaugurates Indus Food 2026, Urges Value-Added Exports and R&D | India Expo Mart

Greater Noida News (08 January 2026): The 9th edition of Indus Food 2026, Asia’s flagship food and beverage (F&B) trade exhibition, was formally inaugurated today at India Expo Mart, Greater Noida, by Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan. Organised by the Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI), the mega event has emerged as the largest edition to date, spanning over 120,000–125,000 square metres and bringing together the global food ecosystem under one roof.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by several eminent dignitaries including APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev, TPCI Chairman Mohit Singla, Abu Dhabi Food Hub (KEZAD) CEO Jens Wolfgang Michel, and Bhikharam Chandmal Managing Director Ashish Kumar Agrawal, along with senior industry leaders, international buyers, exhibitors and policymakers.

Government Commitment to Food Processing Sector

Addressing the gathering, Food Processing Industries Minister Chirag Paswan underscored the strategic importance of the food processing industry in India’s economic growth. He stated that the existence of a dedicated ministry itself reflects the priority accorded to the sector by the Government of India. Emphasising collaboration, the Minister said his role was to act as a bridge between industry stakeholders and the government to ensure policy alignment and sustained sectoral growth.

He congratulated TPCI for successfully hosting the ninth edition of Indusfood and described the exhibition as a powerful global platform showcasing India’s capabilities to the world.

From Volume to Value: Minister’s Key Message

Highlighting India’s status as a food-surplus nation, the Minister urged the industry to move beyond volume-driven exports and focus on value-added and branded food products. He noted that India has immense untapped potential to become the global food basket, provided resources are channelised effectively towards innovation, processing and branding.

He also highlighted the government’s continued efforts to promote entrepreneurship in the sector through flagship schemes such as PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME), Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY), and the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM). He announced that the scope of NIFTEM would be expanded to cover more states, strengthening skill development and research capacity nationwide.

GST Reforms Boost Industry Growth

The Minister pointed out that rationalisation of GST rates has significantly benefited the food processing sector. Earlier high GST rates were addressed through reforms, bringing several food processing categories down to the lowest slabs of 5% or even zero, thereby improving affordability, competitiveness and market access.

Reiterating the government’s pro-industry stance, he assured full policy support, particularly in areas such as ease of doing business, infrastructure creation and regulatory facilitation.

Call for Global R&D Centres in India

During his address, the Minister appealed to global and domestic food brands to establish research and development centres in India, citing the country’s vast agricultural diversity, rich culinary heritage and strong innovation potential. He said India can play a key role in introducing new varieties and food innovations to global markets.

APEDA Launches ‘BHARATI’ Initiative for Start-ups

On the occasion, APEDA announced the launch of BHARATI – Bharat’s Hub for Agritech, Resilience, Advancement and Incubation for Export Enablement, an initiative aimed at supporting agri-food and agri-tech start-ups. APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev said the initiative is designed to empower young entrepreneurs, encourage innovation and create new export opportunities in the agri-food sector.

Indusfood 2026: Scale, Innovation and Global Reach

Speaking at the inauguration, TPCI Chairman Mohit Singla highlighted the unprecedented scale of Indusfood 2026. He said the exhibition features over 2,200 exhibitors from more than 30 countries and is hosting 15,000+ buyers and trade visitors from over 120 nations, making it one of the most globally connected F&B platforms. He added that Indusfood integrates the entire food value chain—trade, technology and talent—within a single, dynamic ecosystem.

New Pavilions and Knowledge Platforms

This year’s edition introduces two new dedicated segments—Pet Food & Animal Nutrition and Cookware & Kitchenware—reflecting emerging export opportunities driven by global lifestyle changes, premiumisation, wellness trends and sustainability.

In partnership with IFCA, TPCI is also hosting the World Culinary Heritage Conference 2026, positioning cuisine as cultural capital and a strategic export enabler. Additionally, more than 40 knowledge sessions featuring 150+ speakers will be held over three days, covering investment promotion, retail sourcing, export strategies, regulatory compliance, biosecurity, and the growing role of AI and automation in intelligent food systems.

India–UAE Food Corridor Strengthened

Addressing the gathering, Abu Dhabi Food Hub (KEZAD) CEO Jens Wolfgang Michel highlighted the strong potential for collaboration between Indian food exporters and UAE buyers. Stressing transparency and sustainability in global food trade, he announced that the India–UAE Food Corridor will be launched soon. On the sidelines of the event, TPCI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Abu Dhabi Food Hub to deepen bilateral cooperation.

Strong Growth in India’s F&B Exports

India’s food and beverage exports continue to show robust growth. In FY 2024–25, F&B exports reached US$ 47.3 billion, recording a year-on-year growth of 8.2% and a five-year CAGR of 8.4%. Processed food exports stood at US$ 7.9 billion, with a higher five-year CAGR of 9.1%. Among processed food categories, cocoa and cocoa preparations emerged as the fastest-growing segment on a year-on-year basis. With its record scale, strong policy backing and wide international participation, Indus Food 2026 has once again reinforced India’s growing stature as a global force in the food and beverage trade.

Union Minister Chirag Paswan Inaugurates Indus Food 2026 | India Expo Mart | Photo Highlights

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