India puts GI foods like Mithila makhana centre stage at SIAL Paris

India took part as the partner country at SIAL Paris 2026, one of the world's largest food trade fairs, held from October 17 to 21 at Paris Nord Villepinte, and used its pavilion to showcase traditional and regional foods with Geographical Indication (GI) tags, such as Naga chilli and Mithila makhana, alongside packaged, ready-to-eat and premium products. A report on the outcome published on Tuesday, October 27, 2026 said India also highlighted climate-resilient farming and women-led agricultural enterprises. The pavilion was led by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) together with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

GI tags tell buyers that a food comes from a particular place and carries qualities linked to it. Naga chilli and Mithila makhana are two such products, each tied by its name to a region of India. Putting such products in front of international buyers at a major trade fair is a way to move them from local markets into supermarkets and restaurants abroad, where they can earn better prices.

Before the fair, ITPO's chairman set out three aims: to boost farm and food exports, to attract investment into food processing, and to change how international buyers see Indian agriculture. The immediate goal, he said, was to set up business-to-business meetings between Indian exporters and international buyers, distributors, importers and retail chains.

For Indian food culture, the show also shows how traditional ingredients are being repackaged for modern tastes. Ready-to-eat meals, packaged snacks and premium products featured alongside regional specialities, reflecting how Indian food companies are trying to reach global consumers who want convenience as well as authenticity. The India Bistro masterclasses were meant to let buyers taste and understand these products, not only see them on a stand.

The emphasis on women-led enterprises and climate-resilient farming adds another layer. The pavilion's focus on small farmers presented Indian food as coming from family farms and local enterprises rather than only large companies. Telling that story to global buyers can help Indian products stand out in a crowded market where sustainability and fair sourcing increasingly matter to retailers.

The fair also took place against the backdrop of trade talks between India and the European Union, which officials said could open more opportunities for Indian food exporters in Europe, although sources differ on the stage those talks have reached.

Short-term: Exporters who exhibited will follow up on contacts made with international buyers, distributors and retailers during the fair.

Long-term: Greater visibility for GI-tagged foods could help producers of regional specialities find steady export markets and better prices, and encourage more products to seek GI protection.

Who is affected: Producers of GI-tagged foods such as makhana and Naga chilli, Indian food processing companies and start-ups, women's farm enterprises, and food buyers in Europe and beyond.

Questions and Answers