The newly concluded India-EU Free Trade Agreement dominated the political discussions. Martina Englhardt-Kopf, Parliamentary State Secretary at Germany’s Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity, described it as an economically significant milestone that creates a market of around two billion people. Petros Sourmelis of the EU Delegation to India said the agreement is expected to enter into force around mid-2027. Silvio Erkens, the Dutch Minister for Food Security, Fisheries and Horticulture, pointed to the need for international cooperation on food safety, waste reduction and resilient supply chains.
Indian officials focused on value addition and export growth. According to MoFPI Joint Secretary Devesh Deval, food processing accounts for nearly 8 percent of gross value added in manufacturing and is its second-largest source of jobs. He also announced a Centre of Excellence on Pea Protein at NIFTEM in Kundli, set up with Canada to develop plant-based protein isolates. APEDA’s Tarun Bajaj said India exported agricultural and processed food products worth US$53 billion in 2025-26, placing it among the world’s top ten exporters. Processed products account for nearly 30 percent of those exports, and APEDA aims to double total exports within five years while raising the processed share. Organisers put the Indian food market at US$550 to 600 billion, growing at 6 to 7 percent annually.
The supporting programme included a conference track with more than 150 speakers and chefs, a Retail Walk for international exhibitors, and a Culinary Corner opened by chef Harpal Singh Sokhi. An Innovative Trends Zone, powered by Innova Market Insights, showed ten products reflecting Innova’s top F&B trends for 2026. In the Innovative Product Awards, Coffee Nxt of India won with a ready-to-spray cold brew. Boba Empire of Taiwan took first runner-up for its popping boba range, and Regulus Agro Organic of India was second runner-up for a moth protein bhujiya.
Milind Dixit, Managing Director for India and SAARC Region at Koelnmesse, said the organiser wants to go beyond the traditional trade fair format and build an ecosystem in which businesses can connect, learn and grow. Koelnmesse plans to focus on international participation, buyer engagement and strategic partnerships for future editions.
