India is set to strengthen its presence in the global food and beverage market as the country returns as the Official Partner Country for Gulfood 2027 in Dubai. The partnership was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and InD Events Dubai at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi.
The MoU signing took place in the presence of Commerce Secretary Shri Rajesh Agrawal and marks India’s second consecutive year as the Official Partner Country at Gulfood. The initiative builds on the visibility and business opportunities generated through India’s participation in the 2026 edition of the international food and beverage exhibition.
Speaking on the occasion, Commerce Secretary Shri Rajesh Agrawal highlighted the growing international recognition of India’s agricultural and processed food sector. He said the continued partnership at Gulfood would provide Indian exporters with a larger platform to engage international buyers, expand market access and strengthen trade relations between India and the UAE under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
The MoU was signed by APEDA Secretary Dr. Saswati Bose and Mark Napier, Vice President – Exhibitions Department and Growth for Food & Hospitality at InD. Napier noted that India’s diverse food ecosystem and expanding export capabilities make its participation an important component of the global food trade platform. He expressed the organisers’ intention to build upon the outcomes of Gulfood 2026 by creating deeper business connections between Indian exporters and buyers from different international markets.
Several senior officials and industry representatives attended the signing ceremony, including Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Shri Nitin Kumar Yadav; Economic Advisor, Department of Commerce, Smt. Priya P Nair; APEDA Chairman Shri Abhishek Dev; Director, Department of Commerce, Smt. Monica Gaur; AVP – Commercial, Exhibitions Department, InD, Ms. Salima; and Managing Director, Comnet Exhibitions, Ms. Chandrika Behl.
Gulfood 2027 is scheduled to be held from March 15 to 19, 2027, in the UAE. The exhibition is a major international platform for food and beverage businesses, bringing together exporters, buyers, distributors, investors and industry stakeholders from global markets.
India’s participation is expected to provide greater international exposure to its wide range of agricultural and processed food products. The national platform will showcase premium, branded, innovative and value-added products along with India’s established strengths in agricultural commodities.
The participation will bring together exporters, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), startups, commodity boards and government institutions. Business-focused activities, including curated B2B meetings, product displays, conferences and industry interactions, are expected to facilitate direct engagement with overseas buyers and create opportunities for new commercial partnerships.
Special emphasis will also be placed on expanding participation among MSMEs, FPOs, startups and women- and SC/ST-led export businesses. The initiative is intended to help emerging enterprises and producers gain international exposure and explore new markets for their products.
The partnership also carries significance for India-UAE trade relations under CEPA. Dubai’s strategic location provides Indian food exporters access not only to the UAE but also to the wider Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Middle Eastern and African markets.
With India continuing as the Official Partner Country, Gulfood 2027 is expected to serve as another important platform for promoting Indian agricultural and processed food products globally. The initiative will support exporters in developing international business connections, exploring new markets and strengthening the global presence of India’s diverse food sector.
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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]
