IHGF Delhi Fair 2026 welcomes overseas buyers from across the globe on Day 1

Delhi/NCR – 14th February 2026 – The 61st edition of IHGF Delhi Fair – Spring 2026, being organised from 14th to 18th February 2026 by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) and hosted at the state-of-the-art India Expo Centre & Mart on the Greater Noida is saw a busy day with buyers thronging to the exhibition halls throughout the day.

Kapil Dev Aggarwal, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Skill Development and Vocational Education, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh visited the fair today. He took a walk-through of the fair and interacted with exhibitors, taking keen notice of the craftsmanship and global market worthiness of the displayed products. He said, “I thank you for inviting me to be a part of this significant event,” as he commended the fair’s grand scale, extensive product diversity and the robust infrastructure of the India Expo Centre & Mart in successfully hosting an internationally acclaimed event. He also praised the leadership of EPCH and IEML for orchestrating a trade congregation of global stature that the world is talking about.

The Minister noted with satisfaction that Uttar Pradesh is witnessing remarkable growth in handicraft exports, with exporters contributing significantly to nation-building. He added that the upcoming Jewar International Airport will further enhance connectivity and trade opportunities.

Referring to the exhibitors as ‘creators’ and recognising handicrafts as an ideal incubator for future generations, Kapil Dev urged EPCH and IEML to involve new and young talent from training institutes to hone their skills. Calling for collective unity, he said, “Make the world recognise India as a rising economic strength and a force to reckon with.”

Speaking about the visitor traffic on the starting day, Dr. Neeraj Khanna, Chairman, EPCH said, “The event is progressing with great momentum, driven by robust participation from overseas buyers, buying houses, agents, and domestic volume purchasers. New partnerships are taking shape even as longstanding associations are being strengthened. Buyers are actively discovering innovative product lines from first-time suppliers alongside trend-forward collections presented by returning exhibitors.”

Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Director General in the role of Chief Mentor, EPCH and Chairman, IEML said, “The sustained trust and participation of international buyers in EPCH events for over three decades highlights the enduring significance of this fair. This edition has been marked by a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere across the venue, with exhibition halls witnessing strong footfall and meaningful business engagements throughout the day. With its strong international appeal, the fair continues to serve as a dynamic platform for meaningful trade engagement and sustained business growth. The well-appointed India Centre too has grown over time to fulfil its mandate of exhibition excellence. Further enriching the sourcing experience are our 900 permanent Mart showrooms, owned by some of India’s leading handicraft exporters.”

Sagar Mehta, Vice Chairman, EPCH added, “An Exclusive Art Auction of India’s Master Crafts, facilitated by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India, is slated for tomorrow. This landmark initiative presents a curated showcase of 12 exceptional works created by Shilp Guru Awardees and National Handicrafts Awardees (2023–2024) — artisans who represent the highest honours conferred by the Government of India for excellence in craftsmanship. These are not trend-driven or mass-produced objects, but rare and singular expressions of lifelong mastery. Each piece reflects decades of rigorous practice, inherited knowledge systems, and the enduring discipline of the guru–shishya parampara, embodying time, patience, and devotion that cannot be replicated or rushed. The live auction will be held at Hall 16 – Activity Area, India Expo Centre & Mart, at 5:00 PM.”

Avdesh Agarwal, Chief Convenor shared, “Renowned for its global appeal and unparalleled ability to connect entrepreneurs, exporters and artisans, the IHGF Delhi Fair continues to reinforce overseas buyers’ confidence in the superior quality, distinctive design and international market readiness of Indian products. Each edition acts as a dynamic catalyst for new business opportunities — fostering fresh buyer relationships while showcasing an ever-evolving and expanding product spectrum. Evolving in step with global sourcing trends and shifting buyer expectations, this edition showcases greater product diversity, deeper buyer–seller engagement and a pronounced focus on design-led, value-added offerings.”

“Starting tomorrow, we have many knowledge sessions of topical relevance to our trade as well as the present market dynamics,” Mohit Chopra, President, IHGF Delhi Fair-Spring 2026 Reception Committee said and added, “tomorrow’s distinguished and invited faculty will be conducting sessions on Sustainability, Leveraging India’s Recent Free Trade Agreements and Emerging Destinations and Trend Drivers for Market Diversification”.

Rajesh Rawat, Executive Director, EPCH said, “As India progresses on a robust economic growth path, the IHGF Delhi Fair continues to play a pivotal role in expanding export outreach, unlocking new markets, and cultivating long-term global partnerships. The show is expected to attract overseas buyers from over 109 countries, alongside buying and sourcing consultants, representatives of leading Indian retail and online brands, and domestic volume buyers, further strengthening its position as a premier international sourcing platform.”

Buyers, Paul and Elizabeth, retailers and online sellers from the United States, who source a substantial portion of their products from India, with a primary focus on furnishing such as bed sheets and home accessories arrived today with a clear objective to explore textile offerings that align with their business needs. They regard India as a key sourcing destination due to its scale, reliability and consistency in production. Jill Larks from the UK, shared that she is actively sourcing gifts, textiles, jewellery, children’s clothing and accessories, as well as Christmas décor products through this fair. Deborah Taylor from South Africa, representing is specifically here for Christmas décor products, with a strong interest in ribbons and paper-based items from India. While she previously sourced extensively from the USA and Europe, she is now actively diversifying her supply base, with India emerging as a key focus market. Currently, around 40% of her product range is sourced from India.

Currently, approximately 50% of her overall product range is sourced specifically from India, reflecting the country’s importance in her supply chain. She also acknowledged that the India–UK Free Trade Agreement has positively impacted her business, as reduced taxes have lowered retail prices and supported expansion plans.