Indian Economy News

India Takes Centre Stage at Gulfood 2026 as Country Partner with Largest Global Presence

India made a strong and meaningful presence at Gulfood 2026, the largest annual global food and beverage trade show, as the Country Partner with the largest global presence, thus emphasizing its growing leadership role in the agri-food and processed food industry. With more than 600 Indian exhibitors and the largest exhibition space among all countries, India displayed its key products such as Basmati rice, over a dozen GI-tagged varieties of rice, millets, tea, spices, turmeric, processed foods, organic products, and fresh produce. The Indian Pavilion at Dubai Expo City was formally opened by senior officials, thus emphasizing the strength of Indian agri-food capabilities and the significance of the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in increasing bilateral food exports.

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) designed an extensive pavilion of nearly 1,500 sqm, with sections such as Pulses, Cereals & Grains, Beverages, and Gulfood Green, with participation from government organizations (Tea Board, Spices Board, Turmeric Board), state administrations, and cooperatives. The event also featured eight startups under the APEDA Bharat’s Hub for Agritech, Resilience, Advancement and Incubation (BHARATI) scheme, thus emphasizing Agri-tech innovation for export facilitation. The Indian culinary section featuring meals from GI-tagged rice varieties was designed and managed by celebrity chef Mr. Harpal Singh Sokhi. The Country Partner role of India is likely to further enhance trade relationships, increase B2B interactions, and re-emphasize India’s role as a trustworthy global food partner, thus meeting the Government’s vision of making India the food basket of the world.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.