AAHAR 2026: Global Food & Hospitality Trade Platform Opens in Delhi
Piyush Goyal will inaugurate the 40th edition of AAHAR 2026 on March 10 at Bharat Mandapam, marking the start of one of the world’s most prominent B2B exhibitions for the food and hospitality industry.
The five-day international exhibition, scheduled from March 10 to 14, 2026, will bring together stakeholders from across the food processing, hospitality and allied sectors. Organised by India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, the event has evolved over four decades into one of Asia’s leading trade platforms for the food and hospitality ecosystem.
The inauguration ceremony will also be attended by Chirag Paswan, highlighting the government’s continued focus on strengthening India’s food processing and hospitality sectors.
AAHAR 2026 Exhibition to Host 1,800+ Exhibitors and Global Buyers
The AAHAR 2026 exhibition is expected to set new benchmarks in scale and participation. According to organisers, the event will feature over 1,800 exhibitors, including 155 international participants from 17 countries, and attract more than one lakh business visitors during the five-day event.
Spread across a gross exhibition area exceeding 115,000 square metres, the event will showcase products, services and innovations spanning the entire food and hospitality value chain.
Participants will include:
-
Food producers and exporters
-
Hospitality companies and hotel groups
-
Technology providers
-
Equipment manufacturers
-
Global buyers and importers
-
Industry associations
The exhibition will serve as a major networking and business platform, enabling companies to explore partnerships, expand distribution networks and identify emerging market opportunities.
International Participation at AAHAR 2026 Strengthens Global Collaboration
International participation continues to grow at AAHAR, reinforcing its position as a global trade platform for food and hospitality industries.
For the first time, Italy will participate as the Partner Country for the 2026 edition, highlighting expanding collaboration between India and European markets in food processing, gourmet foods and hospitality technologies.
Several other countries will also showcase their products and technologies through dedicated country pavilions. These include:
-
Australia
-
Brazil
-
Canada
-
Chile
-
Thailand
Additional participation will come from nations such as Belgium, China, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Spain, United Kingdom and Vietnam, among others.
The strong international presence is expected to facilitate cross-border trade partnerships and export opportunitiesfor Indian companies.
Food Processing and Hospitality Technology Innovations at AAHAR 2026
The AAHAR 2026 trade show will showcase innovations across multiple industry segments, reflecting the rapid transformation of the food and hospitality sectors.
Key focus areas of the exhibition include:
-
Food products and beverages
-
Food processing and value addition technologies
-
Packaging and food-grade packaging solutions
-
Hospitality infrastructure and technology
-
Cold chain and refrigeration systems
-
Export promotion and global trade solutions
These sectors represent some of the fastest-growing segments in India’s economy, driven by rising consumer demand, urbanisation and expanding travel and tourism.
Speaking at the curtain-raiser event, Jawed Ashraf highlighted the strong growth potential of India’s food processing industry.
He noted that favourable demographics, increasing incomes, changing lifestyles and rising domestic tourism are driving growth in both the food and hospitality sectors.
Ashraf also pointed out that India’s expanding Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are expected to boost exports of value-added food products, benefiting farmers as well as the MSME sector.
Industry Pavilions and Culinary Events at AAHAR 2026
In addition to the exhibition halls, AAHAR 2026 will host several curated pavilions and industry platforms designed to showcase specialised segments of the food ecosystem.
These include:
-
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Pavilion
-
Ministry of Food Processing Industries Pavilion
-
Foreign Participation Pavilion
-
Forum of Indian Food Importers Pavilion
-
ICMA Pavilion
The exhibition will also host popular industry events such as Hospitality Challenge and Culinary Art India 2026, which celebrate culinary creativity and professional excellence within the hospitality sector.
The event has received strong support from several leading industry associations, including the All India Food Processors Association, Federation of All India Caterers, Food & Hospitality Support Association of India and the Hotel & Restaurant Equipment Manufacturers Association of India.
AAHAR 2026 Mobile App Enhances Visitor Engagement
To enhance the visitor experience and improve networking opportunities, ITPO has also launched the AAHAR 2026 Official Mobile App.
The app has been designed to help exhibitors and visitors connect more efficiently through a range of digital tools such as:
-
Digital exhibitor directory
-
Interactive floor plans
-
B2B meeting scheduling
-
Smart search filters
-
Real-time event notifications
The digital platform is expected to simplify navigation and enable faster business connections during the exhibition.
Entry to the event will be facilitated through online registration for business visitors, with designated entry gates at Bharat Mandapam including Gate 3 and Gate 4 on Bhairon Road and Gate 6 and Gate 10 on Mathura Road.
AAHAR Exhibition Strengthens India’s Food and Hospitality Industry
Over the past 40 years, the AAHAR exhibition has played a crucial role in promoting India’s food processing sector while strengthening the hospitality and tourism ecosystem.
The event has consistently served as a platform for MSMEs, exporters, hospitality companies and global buyers to connect, collaborate and expand trade opportunities.
As the industry continues to evolve, AAHAR remains one of Asia’s most influential trade events, helping position India as a major global hub for food processing, hospitality technology and culinary innovation.
