India is seeking to expand the global footprint of its agricultural and processed food products through a new export promotion initiative in Singapore, aimed at connecting Indian farmers and food manufacturers with retail consumers and wider markets across the ASEAN region and Australia.
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday participated in an APEDA-FairPrice roadshow-cum-in-store promotion in Singapore, alongside Singapore’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Trade & Industry Gan Siow Huang and other dignitaries. The initiative is being organised to showcase the diversity of India’s agricultural and processed food products and create greater market access for exporters.
A wide range of Indian products are being promoted as part of the initiative, including organic food, fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, dairy products, cashew, rice, millet-based products and regional specialties sourced from different parts of the country.
Goyal said the programme is creating fresh avenues for Indian farmers and processed food manufacturers to strengthen their presence in Singapore and subsequently access markets across ASEAN and Australia. The initiative is expected to provide Indian producers with greater exposure to international consumers while strengthening opportunities for agricultural exports.
The promotion at City Square Mall is being conducted through the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in partnership with FairPrice, Singapore’s leading supermarket retailer. By taking Indian products directly to the retail market, the initiative seeks to improve visibility and encourage sustained demand for Indian agri-food products.
The export promotion programme comes during a high-level Indian ministerial visit to Singapore for the fourth India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) and the fourth India-Singapore Business Roundtable (ISBR). The visit is focused on deepening bilateral economic engagement and accelerating implementation of the roadmap for the India-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The Indian delegation was led by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and included Piyush Goyal, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada.
Around 70 senior Indian business leaders representing sectors such as technology, artificial intelligence, manufacturing, infrastructure, financial services, healthcare, agriculture, logistics, maritime services and professional services also accompanied the delegation.
The fourth ISMR, held on August 20, reviewed progress made since the previous roundtable in New Delhi in August 2025. Discussions focused on strengthening economic ties and advancing cooperation in areas including digitalisation, connectivity, skills development and sustainability.
Jaishankar, Sitharaman, Goyal and Prasada also met Singapore Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong. The discussions covered the progress of the bilateral partnership and ways to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
Business engagements during the visit included meetings with leading institutions and companies, as well as B2B and government-to-business interactions focused on investment, technology partnerships, market access and talent development.
The growing economic relationship between the two countries provides a strong backdrop for the agri-food initiative. Singapore was India’s largest source of foreign direct investment during FY2025-26, with inflows of USD 19.8 billion. Cumulative FDI from Singapore reached USD 194.68 billion between April 2000 and March 2026.
Bilateral trade has also expanded substantially, increasing from USD 6.7 billion in FY2004-05 to USD 36.1 billion in FY2025-26.
The APEDA-FairPrice initiative is therefore positioned as an important step in leveraging Singapore as a gateway for Indian agricultural products, while helping exporters explore opportunities in other ASEAN economies and the Australian market.
Also Read: Kerala Agricultural University to Strengthen Support for Agri-Value Addition and FPOs
Author: Shivam
Shivam Dwivedi is a senior journalist with extensive experience in research-driven journalism, policy communication, and multi-platform storytelling. His areas of interest include international relations, defence, science & technology, education, urban development, agriculture, spirituality, and environmental sustainability. His work focuses on in-depth analysis, public discourse, and impactful narratives across governance and development sectors, with a strong commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Contact: [email protected]
