New Delhi: India will return as the Official Partner Country at Gulfood 2027 for the second consecutive year, with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) signing an MoU with InD Events Dubai to strengthen international opportunities for Indian agricultural and processed food exporters.
The agreement was signed at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi, in the presence of Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal. The partnership builds on India’s participation as the Official Partner Country at Gulfood 2026.
APEDA, Gulfood Organiser Join Hands to Expand Export Opportunities
The MoU was signed by APEDA Secretary Dr. Saswati Bose and Mark Napier, Vice President, Exhibitions Department and Growth for Food & Hospitality, InD.
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According to the Commerce Ministry, the collaboration will provide Indian exporters with a platform to engage international buyers and showcase agricultural and processed food products.
The partnership will focus on:
- Expanding international visibility for Indian food products
- Creating business and market-access opportunities for exporters
- Facilitating B2B meetings and industry engagements
- Promoting premium, branded and value-added food products
- Strengthening India-UAE trade engagement under CEPA
Gulfood 2027 to Bring Indian Exporters Under One Platform
Gulfood 2027 is scheduled to take place from March 15 to 19, 2027, in the UAE.
India’s participation will bring together exporters, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), MSMEs, startups, commodity boards and government institutions under a unified national platform.
The programme will include curated B2B meetings, product showcases, conferences and industry engagements aimed at connecting Indian businesses with international buyers.
MSMEs, FPOs and Women-Led Exporters to Get Greater Focus
A key component of India’s participation will be expanding opportunities for smaller and emerging businesses.
The participation will specifically seek to increase representation from:
- MSMEs
- Farmer Producer Organisations
- Startups
- Women-led exporters
- SC/ST-led exporters
The initiative is intended to provide these businesses and producers with greater exposure to international buyers and export markets.
Dubai to Serve as Gateway to Wider Markets
The partnership is also linked to India’s broader trade engagement with the UAE under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
The government said Dubai’s position as a business hub can provide Indian food exporters access to buyers and markets across the GCC, wider Middle East and Africa.
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said India’s continued status as Official Partner Country reflects the growing global recognition of the country’s agri-food sector and would provide exporters with an expanded platform for market access.
India Builds on Gulfood 2026 Participation
India’s return as Official Partner Country for Gulfood 2027 follows its participation in the 2026 edition.
The latest partnership is aimed at building on that engagement by showcasing India’s established agricultural commodities alongside innovative, premium and value-added food products and creating further connections between Indian exporters and global buyers.
