The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), a pivotal body under the Ministry of commerce & industry, took center stage as the export partner at the fourth edition of World Food India (WFI) 2025, held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi from 25 to 30 September.
APEDA’s pavilion was a showcase of India’s agri-food diversity, featuring a rich tapestry of 142 exhibitors across 120 stalls. Attendees were introduced to an extensive range of offerings, including the geographical indication (GI)-tagged specialties, fragrant Basmati rice, wholesome millets, organic produce, premium livestock products, and an impressive variety of value-added foods.
The pavilion’s design was segmented into thematic zones such as the GI Gallery, the Fresca Zone, the Basmati Export Development Foundation stall, and the innovative BHARTI Zone, which was dedicated to emerging startups and cutting-edge agritech solutions.
As the export partner, APEDA orchestrated a highly successful reverse buyer-seller meet (RBSM), welcoming a contingent of over 530 global buyers from 68 countries. Among the notable participants were retail powerhouses such as Walmart, Nesto, Al Madina, Mustafa Singapore, and Choithram. The event facilitated a staggering 4,654 meticulously curated B2B meetings, empowering Indian exporters and fledgling startups to forge new market connections, showcase their innovative offerings, and cultivate enduring international partnerships.
APEDA’s BHARTI Initiative
Enhancing its global reach, APEDA also sealed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with LuLu Hypermarket on September 25, 2025. This strategic alliance, born under the BHARTI Initiative (Bharat’s Hub for Agritech Resilience, Advancement, and Incubation for Export Enablement), opens doors for Indian agri-food startups to gain valuable shelf space in 252 LuLu outlets throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. The partnership is poised to include engaging product sampling campaigns, heightened consumer interaction, and seamless integration with LuLu’s extensive export network, paving the way for broader global distribution.
The BHARTI Initiative emerged as a standout highlight of WFI 2025, showcased through a dedicated pavilion and a dynamic seminar titled “From Farm to Global Markets: Startup-Driven Innovation for Agri-Food Exports.” This forum gathered policymakers, industry trailblazers, and innovative thinkers to deliberate on strategies aimed at empowering 100 agri-food startups through mentorship, branding, technological adoption, and comprehensive global market intelligence.
Abhishek Dev, chairman of APEDA, expressed, “World Food India 2025 signifies a monumental milestone in illuminating India’s vast agri-food export potential. Our role as Export Partner allowed us to unite over 140 exhibitors and more than 500 buyers from 68 countries, generating thousands of meaningful business connections. The Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet, our strategic MoU with LuLu Hypermarket, and the BHARTI Initiative collectively exemplify APEDA’s commitment to nurturing startups, enhancing international collaborations, and fostering a dynamic, innovation-driven export ecosystem.”
Through its robust participation at World Food India 2025, APEDA reaffirmed its dedication to cultivating a globally competitive agri-food export sector. By integrating large-scale buyer engagement, strategic international partnerships, and startup-driven innovation, APEDA continues to position India as a trusted ally in global food trade and a pioneering force in sustainable, innovation-led growth
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Naresh Khanna – 10 February 2025
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