The strategic development of brand identity took center stage as Rahul Kumar of DJ Exports, Rajoo Ramlingha of Star, and Varun Kakar of Four Pillars Australia discussed the ascension of new fruits in the Indian market. Kumar detailed how DJ Exports pioneered domestic blueberry production by selecting specific varieties and maintaining rigorous quality control throughout the supply chain to fulfill a premium brand promise. Kakar highlighted a critical shift in consumer interaction, noting that while quality and taste remain essential, modern consumers are increasingly connected to brand stories and engage with products through recipes and health-focused content. Ramlingha further emphasized that brand-building potential extends beyond the premium sector, arguing that even commoditized categories like pears, onions, or potatoes offer avenues for differentiation and value extraction.
The afternoon sessions pivoted to the regional powerhouse of South India, identified by Gopi Shankar of Global Victoria as home to the country’s most dynamic consumption centers due to high fruit consumption, rapid urbanization, a robust retail sector, and significant e-commerce growth. Narinder Singh of Simpli Namdhari’s underscored the necessity of localized strategies, explaining that distinct market dynamics exist even within individual cities, requiring deep involvement with specific customer profiles to gain a competitive edge. Tarun Arora of IG International warned that the demanding nature of South Indian consumers necessitates impeccable quality management systems, as the market is notoriously punishing when expectations are unmet.
Food safety remained a focal point of administrative and operational discussion involving Chinmayee Deulgaonkar of Control Union India, Pritee Chaudhary of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Sarthak Jain of Blinkit, and Kaushal Khakhar of Kay Bee Exports. Chaudhary defined the safety challenge as a collective effort, balancing government regulation with essential grower awareness. To address supply chain visibility, Jain revealed that Blinkit has established collection centers and deployed AI-based quality checks, while Khakhar noted that meeting international safety requirements is vital for the export sector.
Technological and varietal evolution were explored by Azhar Tambuwala of Sahyadri Farms and Mayank Tandon of DeHaat-Freshtrop, who detailed how Indian production is reaching international standards. Tandon noted that a delay in IP varieties entering India provided a late mover’s advantage, allowing growers to utilize existing global agronomical data for high-demand commercial varieties. Tambuwala shared that Sahyadri Farms has upgraded its infrastructure with in-house soil and water testing laboratories and localized weather stations for predictive analysis, though both experts cautioned that success depends heavily on managing grower expectations and implementing correct practices.
The event concluded with a focus on India’s surging export momentum, which has seen an annual volume increase of 11.9 percent over five years, including a 23 percent surge in 2025 that brought totals to 1,796,316 tonnes. Dr. Sudhanshu, secretary of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda), Shoubhit Jain of Vegrow, and Robert Mant of Kuehne and Nagel discussed sustainability in this growth. Dr. Sudhanshu highlighted Apeda’s role in promoting Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Geographical Indication (GI) products. Jain pointed to technology as the tool to empower a fragmented growing base, while Mant stressed the need for supply chain visibility. Mant specifically identified a global "hunger" for Indian fruit, particularly in the UK, suggesting that global production challenges in the banana sector could position India as an increasingly vital global supplier.
Beyond the conference, the event facilitated intense networking through an expo and experiential sessions. Avocados Australia hosted a breakfast featuring chef Parvinder Singh Bali and nutritionist Naaznin Husein, while Westfalia Fruit India and Fruit South Africa hosted themed culinary and social gatherings. On the second day, delegates visited the Vashi wholesale market and elite retail outlets like Food Square and Star to witness modern food retail in action. The proceedings culminated in the Fresh Produce India Awards 2026, where Westfalia Fruit India received the India Business award for avocado development, Sweet C won the India Marketing Campaign for its "Blue is the new orange" initiative, and Namdhari’s Group was honored with the India Impact award for its seed-to-shelf supply chain excellence. This landmark gathering confirms that through branding, safety, and technological integration, India’s fresh produce industry is entering a sophisticated and globally competitive chapter.
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