The event is organized by the India Trade Promotion Organisation under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in cooperation with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.

This year’s exhibition covers about 125,000 square meters and features nearly 1,800 exhibitors, including around 155 international participants from 17 countries. Over four decades, AAHAR has developed into one of the most influential trade exhibitions for the food processing and hospitality sector in Asia.

Opening the event, Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal said the country’s exports of food and agricultural products currently reach nearly US$55 billion a year, making India the seventh-largest agricultural exporter in the world.

Between 2014 and 2025, several sectors recorded strong growth. Exports of processed foods increased fourfold, fruit and pulses exports tripled, processed vegetable exports rose fourfold and cereal exports doubled, while rice exports increased 62%, he said.

According to Goyal, these results show India’s potential to become one of the world’s leading exporters of agricultural and processed food products, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making India the “food basket of the world.”

At this year’s fair, several Vietnamese companies are presenting products including coffee, processed foods and fruit-based beverages. Participants include Trung Nguyen Legend, FES Group and Nam Viet Food and Beverage JSC. The Vietnamese booths drew interest from visitors and business partners.

Notably, Trung Nguyen Legend, a leading Vietnamese coffee group with more than 30 years of development in the Buon Ma Thuot coffee region,  introduced several product lines under the Trung Nguyen, G7 and Trung Nguyen Legend brands.

Among the highlights is its “Zen Coffee,” developed around a philosophy of enjoying coffee associated with calmness and mindfulness in daily life.

Introducing “Zen Coffee” in India, the birthplace of meditation traditions,  was seen as a distinctive highlight that helps promote Vietnam’s coffee culture and the message of a balanced and mindful lifestyle promoted by the company.

Meanwhile, FES Group attracted attention with its Café Pho instant coffee, aimed at introducing Vietnamese coffee culture and expanding its presence in the Indian market.

The booth of Nam Viet Food and Beverage JSC also captured  interest with natural fruit-based beverages rich in vitamins and minerals.

According to participating companies, participation in AAHAR 2026 offers opportunities to connect with partners, find customers and promote brands in one of the world’s largest and most dynamic markets.

Speaking to the media, Bui Trung Thuong, Vietnam’s Trade Counsellor in India, said Vietnam’s participation with three large booths displaying coffee and processed food products shows Vietnamese companies’ strong interest in the Indian market, the world’s most populous country with significant growth potential.

He noted that Trung Nguyen continues to participate with a large booth and is developing a long-term strategy to expand in India.

He also expressed hope that more Vietnamese companies will join trade fairs and exhibitions in India in the coming period. The Vietnam Trade Office in India will continue supporting businesses by providing market information and connecting partners to strengthen the presence of Vietnamese products in the Indian market.

The five-day AAHAR 2026 fair is considered one of the region’s important trade events for the food and hospitality sector, providing opportunities for companies to showcase products, seek partnerships, boost  exports and expand international trade networks.

Vietnam, India explore opportunities in food, beverage industries

The Vietnam Trade Office in India on January 23 held an online workshop to explore opportunities for Vietnam – India cooperation in the food and beverage sector ahead of the 2026 International Food and Hospitality Fair (AAHAR), one of India’s largest events in the food, beverage, food processing.