New Delhi (VNA) – The Vietnam Trade Office in India on January 23 held an online workshop to explore opportunities for Vietnam – India cooperation in the food and beverage sector ahead of the 2026 International Food and Hospitality Fair (AAHAR), one of India’s largest events in the food, beverage, food processing, and hospitality industries.
The workshop brought together representatives from trade promotion agencies, industry associations, and business communities of both countries. It focused on opportunities for Vietnamese businesses to access the Indian market, navigate fair procedures, and establish connections with local partners through AAHAR 2026.
In his opening remarks, Vietnamese Trade Counsellor Bui Trung Thuong highlighted India as one of the fastest-growing consumer markets in the world, with a large population, an expanding middle class, and rising demand for quality food and beverage products.
Vietnam, meanwhile, has positioned itself as a reliable supplier of agricultural and food products in the international market, particularly in spices, coffee, cocoa, and processed foods, Thuong said, noting that these factors provide a strong foundation for the two countries to deepen practical cooperation in the near future.
He added coffee holds strong potential for bilateral cooperation, with Vietnam ranking among the world’s top coffee exporters and enjoying advantages in production, quality, and processing capacity. In recent years, several Vietnamese coffee brands have entered the Indian market and received positive consumer feedback, indicating considerable opportunities for further collaboration.
Addressing the event, Hoang Thi Lien, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association, said that Vietnam now plays an important role in the global pepper and spice supply chain, with its products reaching over 100 countries and territories.
She highlighted India as a promising market for high-quality spices and described AAHAR 2026 as a valuable opportunity for Vietnamese businesses to promote their products, connect with partners, and increase their market presence.
Meanwhile, Nguyen Thi Minh Chau, Secretary General of the Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association, highlighted the rapid growth of coffee consumption in India, especially in the processed and specialty coffee segment. She emphasised that participating in AAHAR 2026 will enable Vietnamese firms to enhance brand visibility and establish connections with local distributors and retail chains, thus boosting the export of value-added coffee and cocoa products to the Indian market.
Vivekanand Vivek, Deputy Director of the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, provided an overview of AAHAR 2026, highlighting its scale, specialised exhibition zones, participation requirements, and networking opportunities for international enterprises. Notably, ITPO proposed the “Partner country” model for the first time, allowing countries to promote their images and expand business connections at the fair.
Within the event, participants also engaged in a Q&A session on business-to-business (B2B) opportunities, market access requirements, and the prospects of emerging sectors.
Thuong said he believes that the workshop would enhance Vietnamese firms’ participation in AAHAR 2026, thereby contributing to sustainable and effective trade relations between Vietnam and India in the food and beverage sector.
AAHAR, organised by ITPO, is a leading B2B event in the fields of food and hospitality and is widely regarded as one of South Asia’s most prestigious trade fairs. The event highlights the latest consumer trends, innovations, and products in the food and beverage industry, including packaged foods, dairy, confectionery, fruits and vegetables, as well as processing solutions, retail, hospitality services, and packaging technologies./.
