India has marked a historic milestone at Gulfood 2026, the world’s largest annual food and beverage trade exhibition, by participating as the Partner Country for the first time in the event’s 31-year history. The participation is led by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, reinforcing India’s growing stature in the global agri-food trade.
India’s presence at Gulfood 2026 represents a significant scale-up compared to previous editions. The Indian Pavilion has doubled in size from last year, reflecting the rapid expansion of Indian agri-food exports, rising global demand, and increased participation from exporters, institutions, and startups. Spread across 1,434 square metres, the pavilion features 161 exhibitors showcasing a wide range of products including processed foods, fresh and frozen produce, pulses, grains and cereals, beverages, value-added food products, and agri-export startups.
The Indian Pavilion presents a comprehensive view of India’s agri-food ecosystem, with participation from exporters, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), cooperatives, startups, state government agencies, and national institutions. Exhibitors from 25 Indian states and regions are taking part, highlighting India’s vast agricultural diversity through region-specific products, GI-tagged items, organic produce, and value-added food offerings.
India’s participation is further strengthened by the presence of key national institutions and government bodies such as NAFED, National Cooperative Exports Limited, Spices Board India, Tea Board of India, National Turmeric Board, Indian Rice Exporters Federation (IREF), COMFED, CAMPCO, and several state horticulture boards and cooperative federations.
A major highlight of India’s presence is the BHARATI Pavilion, APEDA’s flagship initiative to promote export-ready agri-food and agri-tech startups. Located in the Startup Zone at the Dubai World Trade Centre, eight high-potential Indian startups—selected through a national-level process—are showcasing innovative, technology-driven, and export-focused solutions aligned with APEDA’s Farm to Foreign vision.
The Indian Pavilion also features a dedicated Culinary Area, where live cooking demonstrations by a renowned chef spotlight India’s rich culinary heritage, diverse regional flavours, and the versatility of Indian ingredients, enhancing buyer engagement and global appreciation of Indian cuisine.
A prominent Pulses, Grains and Cereals section reinforces India’s position as one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of staple food commodities. The showcase emphasizes quality, sustainability, traceability, and compliance with international standards to meet evolving global market requirements.
Gulfood 2026 is being held across two venues—Dubai Expo City and the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)—with India maintaining a strong presence at both locations. India’s participation aligns closely with the opportunities created under the India–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which has enhanced bilateral trade and market access for Indian agri and food products in the Gulf region.
As part of its Partner Country status, APEDA is also executing extensive high-impact branding and promotional campaigns across Dubai, including metro station branding, bus wraps, gas station advertising, and other high-visibility outdoor formats. These efforts are aimed at boosting India’s visibility, brand recall, and overall positioning at Gulfood 2026.
Through this expanded and strategic participation, APEDA aims to strengthen buyer–seller linkages, promote Indian brands globally, support startups and exporters, and further consolidate India’s role as a reliable, innovation-driven, and sustainable partner in the global agri-food value chain.
