Boosting export competitiveness of Indian bakery sector

India's bakery industry is rapidly transitioning from a domestic staple to a global export opportunity. Indusfood 2026 is organizing an exclusive session that explores how Indian bakery products can strengthen export readiness, align with global standards, and compete across international retail and foodservice markets.

India's bakery industry is entering a new phase of evolution. What began with small local bakeries and traditional family recipes is now steadily moving beyond domestic boundaries and into the global marketplace. Biscuits, rusks, wafers, pastries, and other Indian bakery products—once confined largely to neighbourhood shops and cafés—are increasingly finding their way into supermarkets across the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, the UK, and niche markets in Europe and North America. This shift signals the early but meaningful rise of India within the global bakery ecosystem.

Against this backdrop, Indusfood 2026, being organized on January 8-10, 2026 at India Expo Centre and Mart, Greater Noida, brings focus to this transformation through the session Export Readiness & Global Competitiveness of Indian Bakery Products. Organised by session is designed to examine how Indian bakery brands can align with global market expectations, strengthen export preparedness, and transition from being price-competitive suppliers to trusted international players.

The opportunity ahead is substantial. The global bakery market is vast, with imports reaching approximately US$ 59 billion in 2024. While India currently ranks 22nd globally, the momentum is clearly building. Exports have crossed US$ 600 million, growing at a strong CAGR of 11.9%. India may not yet be a leading force in global bakery trade, but it is emerging as a serious contender with significant untapped potential.

Certain product categories are already driving this growth. Sweet biscuits have emerged as India's strongest export performer over the last five years, while wafers, rusks, and assorted bakery snacks are gaining acceptance in international markets. Their affordability, familiar flavour profiles, and shelf stability make them well suited for regions with aligned taste preferences and strong Indian diaspora demand, helping Indian brands establish early trust with overseas buyers.

Innovation is now becoming central to export readiness. Indian bakery companies are reformulating products with reduced sugar, upgrading packaging to meet modern retail standards, developing premium and clean-label offerings, and exploring millet-based bakery products to cater to health-conscious global consumers. At the same time, greater emphasis on food safety compliance, consistent quality, scalable production, and shelf-life management is improving buyer confidence in Indian sourcing.

This is precisely where the Indusfood 2026 session creates value. It provides a structured platform for exporters, importers, retail chains, private-label buyers, packaging specialists, and supply-chain partners to engage on practical issues—regulatory requirements, quality benchmarks, flavour adaptation, packaging innovation, and reliable delivery at scale. The focus is not just on exporting products, but on building long-term competitiveness.

India is no longer merely preparing to enter global bakery markets—it is preparing to compete. With every shipment dispatched and every international shelf secured, Indian bakery brands move closer to global recognition. At Indusfood 2026, this journey takes a decisive step forward, turning aspiration into actionable progress.

The session on Export Readiness & Global Competitiveness of Indian Bakery Products is scheduled for 1415-1515 hrs on January 9, 2026 at Innovation Stage, Hall 11. For more details, click https://shorturl.at/YYOFc

Indusfood 2026 is open to trade visitors. To register your entry, click https://shorturl.at/J8ZOb