India has been conferred the prestigious ‘Country of the Year’ title at BIOFACH 2026, the world’s leading international trade fair for organic products, being held from February 10 to 13 in Nuremberg. The recognition marks India’s return to the global organic spotlight after a gap of 14 years.
The designation was confirmed through an official statement issued on Tuesday, highlighting India’s growing prominence in the global organic agriculture and food products market.
Large-Scale India Pavilion Led by APEDA
India’s participation at BIOFACH 2026 is being organised by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) with what officials described as a “prominent and high-impact presence.”
The India Country Pavilion spans 1,074 square metres and hosts 67 co-exhibitors, including exporters of organic products, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), cooperatives, organic certification and testing laboratories, state government bodies, and commodity boards.
According to the statement, the scale of participation represents a significant expansion compared to previous editions, reflecting India’s rising organic exports, increasing global demand, and broader engagement from exporters, associations, and FPOs.
Wide Range of Organic Products on Display
The pavilion showcases a diverse basket of Indian organic produce, including rice, oilseeds, herbs, spices, pulses, cashew, ginger, turmeric, large cardamom, cinnamon, mango puree, and essential oils, among others.
Officials said the display is aimed at underlining India’s agricultural heritage while positioning the country as a reliable global supplier of certified organic products.
Participation From Over 20 States and UTs
Exhibitors from more than 20 States and Union Territories are participating in the India Pavilion, reflecting the country’s regional and agro-climatic diversity. These include Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand, among others.
The participation highlights region-specific organic produce as well as value-added food products, demonstrating India’s year-on-year expansion in international organic trade engagement.
Food Tastings and GI Rice Varieties Highlight Heritage
Beyond product displays, visitors to the India Pavilion are being offered curated food tastings showcasing the flavours and aromas of Indian organic produce. Live sampling of aromatic biryani prepared using premium organic basmati rice and spices has also been organised.
In addition, five GI-tagged rice varieties—Indrayani rice, Navara rice, Gobindbhog rice, Red rice, and Chak Hao (Black rice)—are being served to draw attention to India’s heritage rice varieties.
High-Impact Branding Across BIOFACH Venue
As part of India’s Country of the Year designation, APEDA has undertaken extensive branding and promotional activities at prominent locations across the Nuremberg Messe Exhibition Centre, the statement said.
“With global attention increasingly shifting towards sustainability and environmentally responsible lifestyles, India’s participation as Country of the Year at BIOFACH 2026 reinforces its position as a global leader in organic agriculture,” the statement added.
