Piyush Goyal calls for stronger collaboration to position India as global leader in processed food exports

Goyal was addressing the gathering at the inauguration of the 40th edition of AAHAR

Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal called upon stakeholders from the food, agriculture and hospitality sectors to work collectively towards making India the world’s largest exporter of agricultural and processed foods, highlighting the vast opportunities created by India’s expanding trade agreements and the growing global demand for Indian products.

Addressing the gathering at the inauguration of the 40th edition of AAHAR – The International Food & Hospitality Fair in New Delhi today, Goyal said that India’s exports of food and agricultural products—including farm produce and fisheries—have reached nearly Rs 5 lakh crore (over $55 billion) annually, making the country the seventh largest exporter of agricultural produce in the world.

He noted that over the past eleven years, from 2014 to 2025, India’s agri and food exports have witnessed significant growth. Exports of processed foods have increased fourfold, fruit and pulses exports have tripled, processed vegetable exports have quadrupled, cocoa exports have tripled, and cereal exports have doubled. Rice exports alone have grown by 62 per cent during this period.

Goyal said these achievements should inspire India to aspire for the top position globally in agricultural and processed food exports.

Highlighting the importance of international partnerships, Goyal welcomed Italy as the partner country for the 40th edition of AAHAR and said that India should learn from best practices in Italy’s food and hospitality sector while also building collaborations with Italian companies. Such partnerships, he said, can help promote Indian cuisine, expand the global taste for Indian products and strengthen trade linkages.

The minister pointed out that Europe represents a major market for agricultural and processed food imports, especially with new trade arrangements that provide near-zero or very low duties on many Indian products. He also referred to opportunities arising from India’s agreements and partnerships with EFTA countries—Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland—New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Korea, ASEAN nations, Oman, the UAE and Mauritius. He added that negotiations with Canada are progressing and discussions with the six-nation GCC group of countries in the Middle East have recently been launched.

The Minister congratulated the organisers and participants on the 40th edition of AAHAR, describing it as a landmark event for the food and hospitality sector.

He assured exporters that under the Export Promotion Mission the Government will provide comprehensive support and handholding, including through the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and other relevant divisions that promote Indian exports globally.

Goyal expressed confidence that the combined efforts of farmers, fishermen, entrepreneurs and MSMEs will enable India to expand global trade, strengthen the Made in India brand worldwide, and significantly enhance farmers’ incomes while creating new opportunities for businesses.