Spread across approximately 1,15,000 square metres, the exhibition brought together leading brands, exporters, technology providers, industry associations and institutional participants from India and abroad, making it one of the most comprehensive platforms for the sector.
The 40th edition of Aahar 2026, the international food and hospitality fair, concluded recently at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, drawing strong participation from industry stakeholders, global exhibitors and buyers, further reinforcing its position as one of Asia’s leading B2B platforms for the food processing and hospitality sectors.
The exhibition witnessed over 1.5 lakh visitors, significantly exceeding the pre-event estimate of over one lakh visitors and facilitated more than 2,800 B2B meetings between exhibitors and buyers from India and overseas. Aahar 2026 witnessed participation from over 1,800 exhibitors from 17 countries, including 155 international exhibitors, showcasing a wide range of food products, processed foods, beverages, food processing technologies, packaging solutions and hospitality equipment.
Organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in association with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Aahar 2026 was inaugurated on 10 March 2026 by Piyush Goyal and ran through 14 March 2026.
Speaking on the conclusion of the exhibition, Shri Javed Ashraf, chairman, ITPO, said, “Aahar continues to serve as an important platform for the food processing and hospitality industry, bringing together producers, exporters, technology providers and global buyers. The strong participation reflects the growing opportunities in India’s food sector and the increasing interest in partnerships and trade. Initiatives such as Aahar support the vision of positioning India as a global hub for processed food by promoting innovation, encouraging MSMEs and generating employment across the sector.”
Spread across approximately 1,15,000 square metres, the exhibition brought together leading brands, exporters, technology providers, industry associations and institutional participants from India and abroad, making it one of the most comprehensive platforms for the sector.
The exhibition also provided a significant platform for MSMEs and start-ups, enabling them to showcase innovative products and technologies while connecting with domestic and international buyers. Several emerging enterprises utilised the platform to explore partnerships, expand market access and strengthen their presence in global value chains.
For the first time, Italy participated as the Partner Country at Aahar 2026. Country pavilions from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile and Thailand attracted significant visitor interest. Companies from Belgium, China, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and Vietnam also took part in the exhibition.
Special industry pavilions including the APEDA Pavilion, MoFPI Pavilion, Foreign Participation Pavilion, ICMA Pavilion and FIFI Pavilion highlighted export-oriented products, technological innovations and emerging trends in the food processing and hospitality sectors.
The exhibition also featured several special events such as Culinary Art India 2026, the Hospitality Challenge, industry seminars and interactive sessions, providing opportunities for knowledge sharing, skill demonstration and industry networking.
The Aahar 2026 official mobile app recorded over 20,000 downloads, reflecting strong digital engagement from visitors, buyers and exhibitors during the exhibition. Additional facilities such as registration counters, cloak rooms and air-conditioned food courts were also provided to ensure a seamless visitor experience.
For the first time, the exhibition was also open to general visitors during the last two days, which witnessed enthusiastic participation from individuals interested in the food processing industry, hospitality technologies and emerging food businesses.
Over the past four decades, Aahar has evolved into one of Asia’s leading B2B exhibitions for the food processing and hospitality industry, providing a vital platform for Indian enterprises, exporters and global companies to connect, collaborate and explore new trade opportunities.
The next edition of Aahar will be held from 2–6 March 2027.
IndiFoodBev — authentic, impactful and influential
An English-language food and beverage processing and packaging industry B2B platform in print and web, IndiFoodBev is in its third year of publication. It is said that the Indian food and beverage industries represent approximately US$ 900 billion in revenues which implies more than 20% of the country’s GDP. Eliminating the wastage on the farmside can help to deliver more protein to a higher number of the population apart from generating sizable exports. The savings in soil, seeds, water, fertilizer, energy and ultimately food and nutrition could be the most immense contribution that country is poised to make to the moderation of climate change.
To improve your marketing and grow sales to the food and beverage processing and packaging industry, talk to us. Our research and consulting company IppStar [www.ippstar.org] can assess your potential and addressable markets in light of the competition. We can discuss marketing, communication, and sales strategies for market entry and growth.
Suppliers and service providers with a strategy and budget for targeted marketing can discuss using our hybrid print, web, video, and social media channels to create brand recognition linked to market relevance. Our technical writers are ready to meet you and your customers for content.
The second largest producer of fruit and vegetables in the world is continuously expanding processing capacities and delivery systems with appropriate innovative technologies. We cover product and consumer trends, nutrition, processing, research, equipment and packaging from farm to thali. Get our 2025 media kit and recalibrate your role in this dynamic market. Enhance your visibility and relevance to existing markets and turn potential customers into conversations. Ask for a sample copy of our bi-monthly in print or our weekly IndiFoodBev eZine each Wednesday.
