From canned fish to ramen, Chinese cos make a big push for Indian food market at Indusfood 2026

Noida: Amid global trade headwinds unleashed by US tariffs, Chinese food companies are making a renewed push to enter the Indian market, registering the biggest foreign presence at Indusfood 2026, the global trade expo that opened on Thursday in Greater Noida. From canned mushrooms and chickpeas to customised instant noodles aimed at India's fast-growing appetite for Korean ramen, 15 Chinese exhibitors have brought a broad mix of products tailored for Indian consumers. Several companies are pitching vegetarian, non-fried and less spicy variants, signalling a deliberate attempt to adapt to local tastes rather than sell off-the-shelf imports.Food businesses from Iran, the Netherlands, Egypt, Palestine, Brazil, Azerbaijan and Greece are also looking to bite into the giant Indian food market, pitching everything from olives and pickles to baklava, kunafa, sand ugarcane-based spirits. The three-day expo was inaugurated by Union minister for food processing industries Chirag Paswan. Addressing buyers and industry representatives, Paswan said platforms like Indusfood connect India's production potential with international markets, foster trust, strengthen long-term partnerships and accelerate the vision of making India a global food basket."Now that we are food surplus (country), we all need to convert this volume into value. We all know the strength of the sector and the untapped potential of India to be the global food basket. The need is to now channelise the resources," he said.Mohit Singla, chairman of the Trade Promotion Council of India, which organised the event, said Indusfood 2026 has brought together more than 2,200 exhibitors from over 30 countries. China, he said, accounted for the single largest national presence at the fair.Interest in Chinese products was evident on the opening day, particularly at the stall of Jinmailang Food, a ramen manufacturer that drew crowds with live demonstrations and sampling sessions. Chris, a company representative, said Jinmailang had closely tracked Indian consumption patterns following the surge in popularity of Korean ramen. "We are offering several varieties, including vegetarian options such as mock chicken, which tastes like chicken but is vegetarian. We also have non-fried and less spicy ramen variants to suit Indian preferences," he said.Another Chinese exhibitor, Tianjin Heng Jun Long Commercial Co Ltd, is targeting India's growing urban workforce with canned food products. Sun Meipin, a company representative, said the firm is showcasing canned vegetables, fruits and fish. "As young working professionals get busier, canned foods can help solve everyday cooking challenges. We are looking to collaborate with Indian retailers to bring our products to store shelves," she said.Beyond food, Hong Kong pavilion also featured stalls selling traditional Chinese medicine products. Yan Lam from BeautyHealth Plus said the company was displaying herbal eye drops made from natural ingredients such as ginseng, safflower and borneol, marketed for conditions including dry eyes and myopia.European and Latin American brands also drew attention. Greece-based Danais SA is showcasing canned peaches and apricots, while Brazil's Expodireto Cotrijal is promoting cachaça, a distilled spirit made from fermented sugarcane juice. "Cachaça is known globally for its distinctive taste, different from rum. It is best enjoyed with lemon and ice," a company representative said.One of the more personal stories at the expo comes from the Palestine stall, where Diab Mahroum, a fourth-generation confectioner, is presenting baklava and kunafa under the Mahroum brand. His family has been making Middle Eastern sweets since 1890, supplying retail markets across the region and B2B clients in the US, Germany, Australia and Hong Kong. Mahroum said his interest in India grew after observing strong demand among Indian consumers in Dubai. The company has also launched sugar-free variants.Egypt's Zahrat El Wady was showcasing pickles and olives, while Azerbaijan's Alisa Dadashov was looking to buy masala tea and premium rice.The India-UAE Food Corridor, led by Abu Dhabi Food Hub, was launched to enhance food security, streamline supply chains and accelerate bilateral food trade.