AIREA at Indusfood 2026

India’s position as the world’s largest producer, consumer, and exporter of rice—particularly premium basmati rice—was powerfully reinforced through the participation of the All India Rice Exporters Association (AIREA) at Indusfood 2026, one of the country’s most prominent international food and agri-export exhibitions. Over the course of three impactful days, AIREA’s presence highlighted the strength of India’s rice value chain, the global appeal of Indian basmati rice, and the industry’s alignment with quality, sustainability, and international trade standards.

India’s Global Leadership in Rice and Basmati Exports

India accounts for over 40% of global rice exports, with basmati rice serving as a flagship product that symbolizes quality, aroma, heritage, and consistency. Indian basmati rice enjoys unmatched recognition in markets across the Middle East, Europe, the United States, Africa, and Asia. AIREA, as the apex body representing rice exporters, continues to play a pivotal role in safeguarding this legacy while steering the sector toward future-ready growth.

Indusfood 2026 provided AIREA with a strategic platform to engage policymakers, exporters, buyers, and allied stakeholders, while promoting Indian basmati rice as a trusted, premium, and sustainable global brand.

Inauguration Reflecting Policy Support and Sectoral Importance

AIREA’s stall was inaugurated by Shri Chirag Paswan, Hon’ble Cabinet Minister of Food Processing Industries, Government of India. His presence underscored the Government of India’s recognition of the rice sector’s critical contribution to agricultural income, rural employment, food security, and export earnings.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by AIREA’s office bearers, including Shri Satish Goel, President; Shri Devinder Singla, Vice President; and Shri Ajay Bhalothia, General Secretary, along with senior members of the association. Their collective presence reflected AIREA’s unified leadership and shared commitment to strengthening India’s rice export ecosystem.

High-Level Government Interaction and Policy Dialogue

Post-lunch on Day 1, the AIREA stall was visited by Shri Nitin Yadav (IAS), Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, along with the Chairman and Secretary of APEDA. The interaction provided a valuable opportunity for direct dialogue between policymakers and industry leaders.

AIREA office bearers felicitated the dignitaries and shared insights into:

• India’s dominance in basmati rice exports
• The role of exporters in maintaining quality and traceability
• Sustainability initiatives in rice cultivation and milling
• Challenges related to global trade barriers, residue limits, and market access

The discussions highlighted AIREA’s proactive engagement with government bodies to ensure that India remains a reliable, compliant, and competitive supplier of basmati rice in the global marketplace.

AIREA’s stall served as a focal point for discussions on basmati rice traceability, export quality norms, varietal purity, GI protection, and compliance with international food safety standards—areas where India continues to set benchmarks globally.

Celebrating Indian Basmati Through Culinary Experience

To further promote basmati rice beyond conventional business discussions, biryani sampling sponsored by Suppletek Pvt. Ltd. was organized on the inaugural day. The initiative proved to be a major attraction, drawing significant footfall from international buyers, exhibitors, policymakers, and visitors.

The overwhelming response reaffirmed that Indian basmati rice is not merely an agricultural commodity but a cultural and culinary ambassador of India, capable of connecting with global consumers through taste, aroma, and authenticity.

Recognizing Members as Brand Ambassadors of Indian Basmati

Day 2 of Indusfood 2026 was dedicated to AIREA’s member exporters, who serve as the backbone of India’s rice export success. Team AIREA visited the stalls of its esteemed members, acknowledging their contribution to expanding India’s basmati footprint across global markets.

Members were felicitated with tokens of appreciation, recognizing their role in:

• Upholding varietal purity and quality standards
• Investing in modern milling and processing infrastructure
• Building long-term relationships with international buyers
• Enhancing India’s reputation as a dependable rice-exporting nation

This initiative reinforced the idea that India’s leadership in basmati rice is the result of collective effort across farmers, millers, exporters, and policymakers, with AIREA acting as a key unifying platform.

Expanding the AIREA Network for Collective Growth

With an eye on the future, Day 3 focused on membership expansion and industry outreach. Team AIREA actively engaged with non-member exporters and allied businesses, highlighting the importance of a strong, united industry voice.

Discussions emphasized how AIREA membership supports exporters through:

• Policy advocacy and representation
• Market intelligence and trade updates
• Engagement with APEDA and other authorities
• Collective promotion of Indian basmati rice globally

The outreach reflected AIREA’s belief that India’s leadership in rice exports can be further strengthened through greater collaboration and wider industry participation.

A Flavourful Conclusion Celebrating Basmati Excellence

AIREA concluded Indusfood 2026 on a high note with biryani sampling sponsored by Amarsingh Chawalwala on the closing day. Once again, the initiative received enthusiastic appreciation from visitors and exhibitors, symbolizing the enduring global demand for Indian basmati rice.

The grand finale not only celebrated culinary excellence but also reinforced the message that Indian basmati rice represents quality, tradition, and global trust.

Conclusion: Reinforcing India’s Leadership through AIREA

AIREA’s participation at Indusfood 2026 successfully showcased India’s unmatched leadership in rice production and exports, with special emphasis on basmati rice as a premium global product. Through policy engagement, member recognition, industry outreach, and experiential promotion, AIREA reaffirmed its role as a key driver of growth, quality, and sustainability in the Indian rice export sector.

As India continues to lead the global rice trade, AIREA remains committed to protecting the legacy of basmati rice while guiding the industry toward innovation, compliance, and long-term global leadership.