DGFT’s Virtual Trade Fair Connects Indian Exporters to Global Buyers

India is witnessing many firsts in agriculture these days, especially in horticulture produce. Several places in India have exported their horticultural produce for the first time to foreign lands with collaborated efforts from APEDA and the government.

Similar to this was the virtual trade fair that saw exhibitors from different states of India display their produce to hundreds of importers and visitors that attended the fair from across the country and the world.

Agri Virtual Fair - “From India to the World”

For the first time, Agri Exporters from the remote Districts of India connected to the international buyers from USA, the UAE, and Japan. A Virtual trade fair “From India to the World” organised by DGFT sees 197 exhibitors from the states of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh showcase their products to 300 visitors and importers from domestic and international buyers

Under the Districts as Export Hubs initiative, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under Department of Commerce in partnership with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and Invest India conducted a 2 Day Virtual Outreach Event connecting exporters from the Districts to the buyers outside India.

Following the opening ceremony, a virtual trade fair was held where 197 exhibitors participated from the states of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The event provided a platform to small sellers from areas earlier not known for exports, apart from large exporters from India. About 28 stalls from Jammu and Kashmir and 5 from Ladakh were highlighted in the exhibition.

The virtual outreach event saw a footfall of over 300 visitors and importers from domestic and international buyers inclusive of the USA, the UAE, and Japan. Putting a spotlight on agricultural products under five categories:

• Spices and tea

• Food grains and agro-products

• Fruits and vegetables

• Dry fruits

• Processed food

Buyer-seller sessions

Three buyer-seller interactive sessions were held with the support of Indian Embassies from the USA, the UAE, and Japan. Few leading supermarkets such as Spinney, Walmart, and Lulu also participated during the interactive sessions and showed keen interest in India’s agricultural products.

The event marked the beginning of a series of events to be held to boost India's exports and commemorate 75 years of India Independence under the Districts as Export Hubs initiative.

Indeed, Indian agriculture is going places. The world is paying more attention to India’s agricultural produce than ever. Our country had for long been among the top in cultivation and production of agricultural produce and now it is getting the well-deserved attention and value.