The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) will host the fourth edition of World Food India (WFI) 2025 from September 25 to 28 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The event, to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 25, aims to position India as a ‘Global Food Hub’ and attract strategic global partnerships.
The inaugural World Food India was held in 2017, with the next edition taking place in 2023, followed by 2024.
This year’s edition is expected to be the largest so far, with participation from over 90 nations, 2,000 exhibitors, and tens of thousands of stakeholders across the global food value chain. New Zealand and Saudi Arabia will participate as Partner Countries, while Japan, UAE, Vietnam, and Russia will join as Focus Countries.
Flagship platform for global partnerships
Since its launch in 2017, World Food India has become a premier platform for global stakeholders in food processing. The event connects producers, processors, equipment makers, logistics players, technology providers, and start-ups, fostering innovation and international collaborations.
WFI 2025 will also feature the 3rd Global Food Regulators Summit, organised by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), and the 24th India International Seafood Show (IISS) by the Seafood Exporters Association of India.
India’s growing food processing sector
India has emerged as a leader in food production, ranking as the world’s largest producer of milk, onions, and pulses, and the second largest producer of rice, wheat, sugarcane, tea, fruits, vegetables, and eggs.
The sector has recorded USD 7.33 billion in FDI equity inflows over the past decade. Agricultural and processed food exports touched USD 49.4 billion in 2024–25, with processed food contributing over 20 percent of the share, up from 13.7 percent in 2014–15.
The industry also provides large-scale employment, with 2.23 million workers in registered units and 4.68 million in the unregistered sector, according to government data.
Government push for investment
The government has expanded the number of registered food business operators from 25 lakh to 64 lakh in recent years. Major infrastructure projects have been completed, including 24 mega food parks, 22 agro-processing clusters, 289 cold chain projects, and 305 preservation units.
Schemes like the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) with an outlay of ₹10,900 crore, and a separate PLI scheme for millet-based products, are boosting the global competitiveness of Indian brands.
The government has also permitted 100 percent FDI in food processing, set up a ₹2,000 crore NABARD fund, and rolled out schemes like PM Kisan Sampada Yojana and PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme (PMFME) to strengthen supply chains and support micro-units.
Key features of WFI 2025:
* Knowledge sessions and panel discussions with policymakers and industry leaders
* Sectoral exhibitions on food processing, cold chains, and packaging
* B2B and B2G networking opportunities to foster partnerships
* Culinary showcases and chef competitions highlighting India’s diverse food heritage
* Startup Grand Challenge offering mentorship and funding support
* Great Indian Food Street featuring live cooking and regional cuisines
The event aligns with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, focusing on sustainability, infrastructure, entrepreneurship, global leadership, and innovation. WFI 2025 aims to boost rural prosperity, farmer incomes, and job creation in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, while positioning India as a trusted partner in addressing global challenges of food security, nutrition, and climate-smart technologies.