HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Jan 29: The fifth edition of North-East FoodTech 2026, the region’s flagship B2B exhibition for the food, bakery and hospitality industry, opened at the Maniram Dewan Trade Centre here on Thursday, bringing together national technology providers and regional enterprises on a common business platform.
The four-day exhibition was inaugurated by Sunil Deka, Chairman of the Assam Trade Promotion Organisation, in the presence of industry stakeholders, exhibitors, hospitality professionals and representatives of trade bodies.
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The event is expected to host more than 80 companies from across India and attract around 7,000 business visitors from the North-East, Eastern India and neighbouring regions.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Deka said platforms such as North-East FoodTech play a crucial role in strengthening the regional economy.
He said the food and hospitality sector has significant potential for employment generation, entrepreneurship and value addition in the North-East, and exhibitions of this nature help bridge the gap between local enterprises and national technology providers.
According to him, such interactions are vital for integrating the region more closely with India’s larger food industry ecosystem.
The exhibition showcases a wide range of technologies and solutions, including food processing and packaging machinery, bakery and confectionery equipment, commercial kitchen systems, refrigeration and cold-chain infrastructure, ingredients and food safety technologies.
Hotel and Restaurant Association of Assam president Sunil Sarraf said the exhibition has become an important resource for hospitality and food service operators in the region.
He said access to modern technology and industry expertise is essential for businesses in Assam and the North-East to remain competitive, and North-East FoodTech has consistently helped bring such solutions closer to regional players.
HRAA secretary Migom Sarma said the exhibition also contributes to skill development and business modernisation, particularly for small and medium enterprises.
He noted that technical sessions, demonstrations and conclaves held alongside the exhibition provide valuable learning and networking opportunities for hospitality and bakery entrepreneurs looking to upgrade their operations.
Chief Convener of North-East FoodTech, Zakir Hossain, said the exhibition reflects the growing maturity of the region’s food and hospitality ecosystem.
He said the platform was conceived to connect the North-East with the best food processing, bakery and hospitality technologies available nationally, and the growing response from exhibitors and buyers indicates the region’s readiness for modernisation, investment and scale.
He added that the exhibition focuses not only on showcasing products but also on strengthening value chains and positioning the North-East as a serious growth market for the food industry.
A key highlight of this edition is the N-E Bakery Conclave 2026, to be held during the exhibition, featuring expert sessions on modern bakery practices, plant operations, quality standards, branding and scalability.
The event will also include culinary showcases, live baking demonstrations and competitions, with a focus on professional skills and regional flavours.
With strong participation from industry and buyers, North-East FoodTech 2026 is expected to further reinforce Guwahati’s emergence as a hub for food processing, bakery and hospitality-related business activities in the region.
