The Biswa Bangla Milan Mela Complex, located across from Science City in Kolkata, hosted the 23rd International Foodtech Kolkata 2026, the premier business-to-business (B2B) exhibition for the food processing, bakery, mithai & namkeen, dairy, ice cream, and hospitality industries in Eastern India. The three-day exhibition was free to trade and the general public, and it began in front of dignitaries and business executives.

Leading international brands and about 175 reputable Indian businesses participated through their channel partners, showcasing their goods, services, and technologies at the massive Exhibition. This year’s international attendees included Nestlé, Barry Callebaut, Doehler Group, Norte Eurocoa, Unox, Rega Bakery Machines, and Sinmag Machinery. Over the course of the three days, about 30,000 business travelers from neighboring countries and eastern India came.

The International Foodtech Kolkata 2026 was organised by N K Kapur & Co (P) Ltd and supported by the Hotel & Restaurant Association of Eastern India, West Bengal Bakery Association, All India Food Processors Association, West Bengal Bakers Coordination Committee, Paschimbanga Misti Udyog, Fragrances & Flavours Association of India, National Restaurant Association of India, Eastern India Culinary Association and others.

Bakery Conclave East, which took place at the Seminar Arena, Hall-A, Biswa Bangla Milan Mela Complex, was a highlight of this year’s event. The Conclave, which was centered around the theme Bakery Business Beyond Baking, brought together professionals in the bakery industry to talk about what it takes to develop and grow a bakery business in the modern era, including costing, sourcing, retail formats, branding, and the change in consumer preferences, rather than just baking technique.

The session was by Chef Shaun Kenworthy, chef, restaurateur, and food & beverage consultant. The speakers were Chef Vikas Kumar, Director– Food Production, Flury’s; Ms Nemisha Ghia, CEO, Dream Baker Pvt. Ltd.; Chef Abhiru Biswas, Hospitality Consultant; Mr Montu Sharma, Director, Sufal Commercial Pvt. Ltd; and Chef Arsh Lakhmani, Co-founder, Cocoa Bakery, Kolkata.

The core of the Indian government’s Make in India campaign is the country’s food processing industry, which is among the biggest in the world. The entire food industry and related services were covered by the exhibition, including food & beverages, food processing machinery and equipment, food packaging, cold storage systems, waste management systems, bakery and confectionery equipment, ice cream making machines and plants, edible oils, spices, essences, colouring additives, industrial refrigeration, industrial kitchen equipment, glass and glassware, tableware and facilitators such as banks, financial institutions and pollution control agencies.

The three days were jam-packed with a full schedule of panel discussions, live technology demonstrations, culinary and cake-making competitions, and daily seminars. The knowledge sessions, which covered topics from ingredient innovation and automation to packaging, shelf life, and business growth, were intended to provide visitors with useful takeaways rather than just product displays.

Priyanka Dutta