At a special culinary showcase held in Mumbai, the United Kingdom’s food and beverage sector promoted its expanding presence in the Indian market, underlining growing interest from local consumers and businesses in premium British produce. The event was part of the UK Government’s GREAT Food & Drink Campaign, supported by the UK Department for Environment, …
At a special culinary showcase held in Mumbai, the United Kingdom’s food and beverage sector promoted its expanding presence in the Indian market, underlining growing interest from local consumers and businesses in premium British produce. The event was part of the UK Government’s GREAT Food & Drink Campaign, supported by the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and brought together chefs, retail leaders, distributors and media to explore the role of UK products in India’s evolving culinary landscape.
The showcase highlighted how changing eating habits, the growth of premium retail formats and rising expectations in India’s hospitality and food service sectors are driving demand for high-quality, traceable international ingredients. Attendees experienced a curated menu by Michelin-starred chef Vineet Bhatia, MBE, designed to demonstrate how British ingredients — from English cheeses and Scottish salmon to Northern Irish spirits and Welsh sea salt — can complement contemporary Indian cuisine without losing its essence.
Celebrated chef Sanjeev Kapoor also praised the balance achieved in the menu, noting that UK produce elevated dishes with elegance and flavour while preserving their Indian identity.
Speaking at the event, Harjinder Kang, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner to South Asia and British Deputy High Commissioner to Western India, pointed out that with the Free Trade Agreement signed between India and the UK, British exporters are well-positioned to meet rising demand. He highlighted that UK food and drink exports to India grew by more than 11 % in the first half of 2025, and that ongoing collaborations and trade initiatives aim to sustain this momentum.
UK products are already widely available in modern Indian retail and gourmet outlets — including Reliance Retail, Nature’s Basket, Food Square and Food Stories — covering groceries, snacks, desserts and beverages. Their growing availability reflects increasing Indian buyer confidence in British brands and signals deeper bilateral food-trade engagement.
