Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is set to inaugurate the 40th edition of AAHAR 2026, one of the world’s premier business-to-business trade platforms for the food and hospitality sectors, on March 10 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

Organized by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), this five-day international exhibition will run through March 14, serving as a vital nexus for food producers, exporters, hospitality enterprises, and global buyers to forge new partnerships.

Celebrating four decades of growth, AAHAR has solidified its reputation as one of Asia's most influential trade events for the food processing and hospitality ecosystem.

ITPO Chairman Jawed Ashraf highlighted the event's dual significance, noting that it bridges the gap between India’s robust agricultural sector and its rapidly emerging hospitality industry.

This year’s exhibition is set to reach a new scale, covering an expansive 125,000 square meters with approximately 1,800 exhibitors, including participants from 17 different countries.

The exhibition will showcase a wide array of innovations, ranging from food products, beverages, and processing technology to packaging solutions, cold chain infrastructure, and hospitality-related technologies.

A major highlight of the 40th-anniversary event is the designation of Italy as the Partner Country.

According to Ashraf, this collaboration is designed to bolster India-EU ties in food processing and gourmet sectors, particularly as both sides look toward the future implementation of an India-EU Free Trade Agreement.

To enhance the experience for participants, ITPO has launched an official AAHAR 2026 mobile application.

This digital tool is engineered to streamline networking by providing access to exhibitor directories, interactive floor plans, and a scheduling system for B2B meetings.

The event has also garnered extensive support from major industry bodies, including APEDA, the All India Food Processors Association, and the Forum of Indian Food Importers, among others.

Beyond the exhibition floor, the event will host seminars, culinary competitions like "Culinary Art India 2026," and various industry interactions aimed at fostering knowledge exchange and promoting the growth of MSMEs and global trade linkages.

Source: ANI