MEWA India 2026 to strengthen India’s leadership in global nuts and dry fruits trade

The Nuts & Dry Fruits Council (India) [NDFC(I)] is the country’s apex body representing the nuts, dry fruits and value-added nutrition sector. As part of its mission to strengthen the industry, NDFC(I) organises its signature annual event, MEWA India, the nation’s premier international B2B platform for the global nuts and dry fruits ecosystem.

Successful legacy of MEWA India

The Council has successfully hosted two editions to date—MEWA India 2024 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, and MEWA India 2025 at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. Both editions brought together global exporters, importers, processors, retailers, growers, nutritionists and policymakers under one roof, firmly establishing MEWA India as the industry’s most influential meeting point.

In line with its commitment to making nutrition affordable and accessible, NDFC(I) also played a pivotal role in securing the reduction of GST on nuts and dry fruits from 12 percent to 5 percent. This policy move is expected to significantly boost consumption and reinforce the category’s everyday relevance for Indian households.

Building on this momentum, NDFC(I) today announced the third edition of MEWA India, scheduled to be held from 23–25 January 2026 at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi. MEWA India 2026 is expected to welcome over 10,000 business visitors, with participation from 30+ countries and 300+ exhibitors across nuts, dry fruits, berries, processing and packaging machinery, logistics and technology solutions. Exhibitors from the US, South America, the Middle East, Europe, Central Asia and Australia will showcase innovations across categories. The participation of the International Nut & Dried Fruit Council (INC) this year further adds a strong layer of global trust and credibility.

Speaking at the announcement, Gunjan Vijay Jain, President, NDFC(I), said,
“MEWA India has grown into India’s largest gateway to the global nuts and dry fruits economy. The 2026 edition will be our most globally connected yet, bringing together the widest pool of global exhibitors, buyers and industry leaders we have ever hosted. MEWA India 2026 will spotlight heart health, diabetes prevention, child nutrition, smart snacking and portion guidance through expert panels and public-health conversations. Our goal is to see every Indian household embrace healthier snacking habits, and MEWA is the platform that connects this consumer movement with global trade, innovation and science.”

Strengthening the value chain through sustainability and capacity building

NDFC(I) continues to strengthen India’s nuts and dry fruits ecosystem through sustainability-led initiatives, capacity building and value-chain development. Since its formation, the Council has worked closely with grower groups, emerging FPO networks and state-level institutions to improve pre- and post-harvest practices and create stronger market linkages. On-ground initiatives such as the Cashew Plantation Drive in Moodabidri, Karnataka, and the Walnut Plantation Drive in Chakrata, Uttarakhand, further reinforce its commitment to climate-resilient cultivation.

MEWA India 2026 will build on this foundation by bringing growers, processors, FPOs, exporters, importers and technology partners onto one unified platform, enabling Indian producers to understand global quality expectations, access international buyers and integrate more confidently into high-value supply chains.

‘Nuts. Nutrition. Nation.’

Commenting on this, Col. Nitin Sehgal, VSM (Veteran), CEO, NDFC(I), said,
“Sustainability is not a trend—it is a responsibility, and it begins with strengthening the hands of our domestic growers. Through plantation initiatives and on-ground partnerships, we are encouraging farmers to gradually shift from low-value staple crops to higher-value cash crops like nuts and dry fruits. This builds income stability, supports the Make in India movement and contributes to the upliftment of our agrarian economy. MEWA India 2026 brings this vision to life by linking farmers and FPOs with processors, global traders, technology providers and quality experts. Our aim is to build a supply chain that is climate-resilient, ethically sourced and trusted worldwide. This is the spirit of our vision of ‘Nuts. Nutrition. Nation.’”

Strengthening an integrated, future-ready value chain remains a core priority for NDFC(I). MEWA India 2026 will feature curated buyer–seller meets, retail-connect platforms, category-specific networking zones, and industry dialogues focused on quality standards, logistics and global trade readiness.

Women’s empowerment at the core

Women’s empowerment will continue to be a strong focus of the event. The nuts and dry fruits sector is among India’s most women-intensive food processing segments, with women playing a leading role in grading, sorting, packaging and value addition. MEWA India 2026 will encourage participation from women-led enterprises, SHGs and first-generation entrepreneurs through skill-development sessions, exposure to modern processing technologies and dedicated forums on women’s leadership.

Rajeev Pabreja, Co-Chair, MEWA India 2026 and Founding Member, NDFC(I), said, “Women are the backbone of this industry. MEWA India 2026 will give them opportunities to learn, showcase, network and grow. We are committed to amplifying women’s voices across the value chain and celebrating the many women entrepreneurs building successful businesses in this sector.”

Beyond trade, MEWA India continues to position itself as a national nutrition movement, encouraging India’s young and urban population to adopt nuts and dry fruits as everyday smart snacks. Chef-led demonstrations, interactions with health experts, retail dialogues and influencer-driven conversations will highlight the role of nuts and dry fruits in modern, mindful eating.

MEWA Premier League

To bring the MEWA community together ahead of the main event, NDFC(I) will also host the MEWA Premier League (MPL) on 22 January 2026—a friendly, high-spirited cricket match featuring both men’s and women’s teams, designed to foster camaraderie and collaboration.

Positioning India as a Global Hub

Concluding, Bola Rahul Kamath, Vice President, NDFC(I), said,
“India is not just a large consumer market for nuts and dry fruits; it is emerging as a serious player in processing, packaging, value addition and global trade. MEWA India 2026 brings together the entire ecosystem—origin boards, processors, importers, retailers, logistics leaders and policymakers—to position India as a global hub for innovation, quality and sustainable trade.”

MEWA India continues to play a transformative role in strengthening India’s nuts and dry fruits industry by bringing scientific rigor, global market insights and international collaboration onto a single platform. Driven by rising health awareness and consumer demand, the sector is growing at an estimated CAGR of 15 percent, with nearly 20 percent growth recorded over the past two years. MEWA India has democratized access to global markets by connecting Indian buyers of all sizes with leading international suppliers, accelerating modernization, improving quality standards and strengthening branding across the industry.

Showcasing global technology and strengthening ‘Made in India’ trade

In addition to trade and knowledge exchange, MEWA India will feature a large-scale machinery exhibition showcasing cutting-edge processing, packaging and automation technologies from leading global manufacturers. By reversing traditional trade dynamics and attracting international companies to do business in India, MEWA India supports “Made in India” while contributing to foreign exchange earnings and global visibility.

With these collective efforts, MEWA India continues to advance toward building a globally competitive, digitally enabled and well-organised nuts and dry fruits industry in India.

MEWA India 2026 will be held from 23–25 January 2026 at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi, bringing together global origin boards, processors, importers, exporters, retailers, scientists and policymakers on one unified platform.