Indian Food & Beverage Exports See Festive Diwali Demand Surge, Recording Average Growth of around 6%, While Some Markets Reported Growth Exceeding 15%: TPCI
Trade Promotion Council of India
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Indian Food & Beverage Exports See Festive Diwali Demand Surge, Recording Average Growth of around 6%, While Some Markets Reported Growth Exceeding 15%: TPCI
– Sweets, Savouries, Rice, Spices and Ready-to-Eat Products Lead Orders
– GCC markets emerge as key growth drivers, with rising demand from Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain;
– European buyers show growing appetite for ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook products
– India well placed to capture the next wave of global food demand: Chairman TPCI
New Delhi, 17th September 2026: India’s food and beverage exports are seeing a positive demand trend ahead of the upcoming Diwali season, with international buyers reporting higher procurement interest in traditional Indian foods and convenient, ready-to-consume products. Responses from international buyers and importers surveyed ahead of the Diwali season indicate that the overall market is predominantly in the stable-to-moderate growth category. The survey indicates an overall positive demand outlook, suggesting an indicative average growth of around 6%, with several buyers expecting growth exceeding 15% over last year. Individual markets and product categories, however, are registering considerably stronger growth.
A few European buyers reported around 25% year-on-year growth in ready-to-eat food imports, highlighting the increasing international acceptance of Indian convenience foods.
The survey also points to a strong and diversified demand basket. Traditional sweets and mithai, savouries and namkeens, rice, spices, masalas, pickles and mixed pickles, ghee, pulses and other Indian staples continue to attract strong interest during the festive season.
At the same time, ready-to-eat (RTE) and ready-to-cook (RTC) products are emerging as an important growth segment, reflecting changing consumer preferences for convenience without compromising on Indian taste and authenticity.
This trend is consistent with the broader performance of India’s processed food exports. Exports of ready-to-eat and cooked food items increased 16% to US$2.4 billion in FY2025-26, from US$2.1 billion in the previous year.
For Indian exporters, this opens opportunities in frozen snacks, prepared meals, festive mixes, instant mixes, curries, Indian breads, savouries, cooked rice and shelf-stable convenience foods.
Speaking on the increase in demand, Shri Mohit Singla, Chairman, TPCI said, “The festive-season demand signals are encouraging for India’s food and beverage exporters. What is particularly significant is the combination of strong demand for traditional Indian products such as sweets, savouries, rice, spices and pickles with the rapid emergence of ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook foods.”
GCC leads festive demand
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region has emerged as the most prominent market for India’s festive food exports. Importers and distributors in Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain have reported continued procurement activity across traditional sweets, dry fruits, savouries, rice, spices, ghee, pickles, condiments and convenience foods.
Kuwait, in particular, is witnessing demand across a broad basket including sweets, ghee, paneer, beverages, condiments, spices, pickles, canned foods and dry fruits. Buyers in Oman are also sourcing Indian rice, spices, masalas, pulses and pickles, while Bahrain continues to see demand for traditional Indian festive foods and savouries.
The GCC’s large Indian-origin consumer base, growing mainstream acceptance of Indian cuisine and the expanding ethnic-food retail segment are supporting demand for Indian food products beyond the traditional diaspora market.
Ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook gaining ground
A notable trend emerging from the buyer responses is the increasing demand for RTE and RTC food products. Frozen ready-to-eat foods and festive mixes are gaining traction, particularly in European markets, where consumers are increasingly looking for convenient meal solutions.
A German importer reported approximately 25% year-on-year growth in its ready-to-eat food imports, indicating that Indian convenience foods are finding a growing market among consumers beyond the traditional Indian diaspora. Similarly, A buyer from Kuwait has indicated 28% year-on-year growth.
The trend opens significant opportunities for Indian exporters in categories such as frozen snacks, festive mixes, prepared meals, instant mixes, Indian breads, curries, savouries and other shelf-stable or frozen convenience foods.
Traditional Indian foods remain the festive favourites
Despite the growth of convenience foods, traditional products remain at the heart of festive procurement.
Mithai such as kaju katli, laddoo and halwa; savouries such as bhujia, mixture and murukku; dry fruits and nuts; rice; spices and masalas; ghee; pickles and mixed pickles continue to witness strong buying interest.
The combination of traditional products with modern packaging, longer shelf life, smaller consumer packs and convenient formats is creating new opportunities for Indian exporters to expand their presence in international retail.
Demand spreading beyond traditional markets
While the GCC remains the strongest demand centre, Indian food products are also witnessing opportunities in Europe, the UK and Southeast Asian-linked supply markets. European buyers are increasingly looking at Indian food products that meet stringent food-safety, labelling and compliance requirements, particularly in the organic, health, vegan, frozen and ready-to-eat categories.
This suggests that India’s food export opportunity is evolving from a predominantly diaspora-driven market to a broader global consumer market, where Indian flavours are being integrated into mainstream food retail and foodservice channels.
Exporters urged to focus on quality, compliance and convenience
The survey also highlights some challenges facing exporters, including high freight and container costs, customs inspection delays, food-safety and import compliance requirements, and limited shelf life for perishable products.
These challenges underline the need for Indian exporters to invest in international certifications, compliant labelling, shelf-life enhancement, cold-chain capabilities, modern packaging and efficient logistics.
Speaking on the survey, Chairman TPCI Shri Mohit Singla said, “With global consumers actively seeking authentic ethnic flavours, healthier options, and convenience, India is uniquely positioned to become a reliable hub for value-added food products. The festive season provides crucial momentum for our exporters to transition from traditional commodity exports toward building strong, recognised global brands in food sector. While the GCC serves as our immediate growth driver, Europe presents immense potential for the next phase of India’s food export expansion.”
The survey responses suggest that the GCC is not only absorbing traditional Indian festive products but is also becoming an important market for packaged and value-added food products.
The underlying potential is reinforced by India’s expanding food trade with the region. India’s food and beverage exports to the UAE, for instance, rose from US$2.3 billion in 2021 to US$3.6 billion in 2025, representing a four-year CAGR of 11.3%.
Logistics and geopolitical disruptions remain key concerns
Despite the positive demand outlook, exporters and overseas buyers continue to face challenges.
The survey identifies high freight and container costs, customs inspection delays, food-safety and import compliance requirements, limited shelf life and geopolitical instability as major constraints.
The ongoing disruption around West Asian shipping routes is particularly relevant for food exports to the Gulf, given India’s significant dependence on the region for shipments of rice, spices and other food products.
Names of a few buyers and exporters who responded to the TPCI survey include: Imperial Food & Packaging Limited, Al Reef LLC, Vepura GmbH, Arab Star Investments LLC, Bustan Egypt and Kuwait co, Al Maya Group, AK Modern for General Trading, Megamart WLL, Haldiram Snacks Foods Pvt. Ltd, Pravin Masalewale, Taj Frozen Foods India Ltd, etc.
