India’s festive food exports see demand surge ahead of Diwali: TPCI

New Delhi: Driven by an appetite for traditional delicacies and convenience foods, India’s food and beverage (F&B) export sector is experiencing a buoyant demand surge ahead of the upcoming Diwali season. According to a recent survey by the TPCI, international buyers are demonstrating keen interest in procuring traditional products alongside ready-to-consume food items.

The survey projects an upbeat seasonal outlook, forecasting an average growth rate of around 6 per cent. A notable segment of overseas buyers anticipates an even higher growth trajectory, expecting expansion exceeding 15 per cent compared to last year's figures.

Demand remains robust across core traditional categories, including sweets, savouries, namkeens, rice, spices, masalas, pickles, mixed pickles, ghee, pulses, and other staple items. Concurrently, value-added convenience products have shown rapid momentum. Official figures reveal that exports of ready-to-eat and cooked food items surged 16 per cent to reach USD 2.4 billion in 2025-26, up from USD 2.1 billion recorded in the previous financial year.


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Highlighting the scope for domestic producers, TPCI noted, "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."

Mohit Singla, Chairman of TPCI, pointed out that the festive-season demand signals serve as an encouraging indicator for the industry.

"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," Singla said.

Geographically, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region has established itself as the leading destination for India's festive food shipments. Procurement activity remains particularly active among importers and distributors in Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain across traditional sweets, dry fruits, savouries, staples, spices, ghee, pickles, condiments, and convenience foods.