The premier FOOD AND HOSPITALITY FAIR of the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), the 36th AAHAR- The International Food & Hospitality Fair concluded successfully in terms of business transactions, visitor response and brand expansion. The fair took the experiential HoReCa (Hotel, Restaurant and Café) sector to new heights with a star-studded line-up of prominent leaders, members of the Diplomatic corps, hoteliers, restaurant owners, technocrats, award-winning chefs, influencers, food journalists and global trendsetters. As per the preliminary feedback received around 1,00,000 nos. business visitors from different parts of India and the rest of the world. Visits of 100 overseas buyers from 30 countries in the first ever Hosted Buyers Program are the attestation of the growing interest of foreign buyers in the emerging Indian market.
They evinced tremendous interest in not only a wide range of food and processed food products but also in the investment opportunities in the hospitality sector in India. Significantly, this year, Aahar also proved successful in attracting marquee companies and big brands. Apart from the regular display, the fair featured new verticals i.e. nutraceuticals, aquamarine and dairy Products. Hosted more than 1200 exhibitors from across India and overseas participants in were UK, Australia, USA, South Africa, Canada, Spain, Indonesia, Estonia and France. Aahar 2022 was also meaningful in terms of providing the interface with the companies to resolve food processing and supply chain solutions including the latest AI/IOT systems and plastic-free and environment-friendly, next-generation packing material. Special focus was on FPOs(Partnered through World Bank), GI Tag products, Millet & lost cereals of India.
Overseas delegation of buyers visited AAHAR from almost 30 countries like Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Nigeria, UK, UAE, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Nepal, and Canada among others. The buyers had an interest in various food-related companies and have initiated business for products like coffee, honey, bakery machines and confectionary items.
As per the preliminary estimation business worth Rs.1800 crores was generated during the currency of the fair. The fair scripted success stories of resilience and determination of Indian industry after beating pandemic challenges.
The business visitors were delighted to see dedicated stalls for exporters from North -East region and the Himalayan States and UTs like Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, Women Entrepreneurs, Farmers Producers Organisations (FPOs), Start-Ups and exports of millets and millets products.
