New Delhi, Mar 11: Cargill is showcasing its commercially scalable, cost-competitive, and market-ready innovations across categories such as bakery, snacks, and chocolate at AAHAR 2026. Positioned as a strategic partner for India’s food, health, and nutrition manufacturers navigating margin pressures and evolving consumer demands, Cargill is presenting a wide range of products and immersive experiences that demonstrate its deep market insights, industry expertise, and extensive global network.
Held at Bharat Mandapam, the 40th edition of AAHAR—one of Asia’s leading B2B platforms for the food and hospitality sector—features Cargill’s application-driven solutions designed to help manufacturers address emerging consumer trends. These include rising demand for protein-rich foods, volatility in raw material prices, increasing premiumization, the rapid expansion of quick commerce, and tighter regulatory oversight.
The Cargill booth was inaugurated by Dheeraj Talreja, Vice President and Managing Director, Cargill Food South Asia, along with members of the company’s leadership team.
“Food manufacturers today are balancing ambitious growth goals with rising cost pressures and an evolving regulatory landscape. Our focus is on delivering innovations that are technically robust, commercially viable, and ready to scale. Whether it is protein fortification, oil reduction, premium chocolate formats, or product reformulation, we are helping customers successfully navigate this dynamic environment,” said Talreja.
Cargill’s Five-Pillar Innovation Showcase
At AAHAR 2026, Cargill’s exhibit highlights five key innovation pillars designed to address current and future industry needs:
Healthy for You:
The company is presenting high-protein cookies and nutrition bars powered by RadiPure pea protein, along with sugar-reduced cream biscuits made using polyols. The showcase also includes trans-fat-free fats for bakery applications and lower saturated fat alternatives such as high-oleic sunflower oil, demonstrating how Cargill ingredients enable healthier formulations without compromising taste.
Elevated Experience:
Products featuring enhanced sensory appeal—such as fruit- or pulp-infused treats using Pulptex technology, premium chocolates, and stretchable jellies—highlight how Cargill helps brands create indulgent, multi-sensory experiences with distinctive textures and advanced flavor profiles.
Premium Indulgence:
Gourmet confectionery products crafted with the Aalst chocolate portfolio, Gerkens Cocoa Powders, and premium puff fats demonstrate Cargill’s ability to support the premiumization trend in food and confectionery. Reflecting growing consumer interest in origin-specific chocolates, the company also showcased its diverse range of single-origin cocoa liquors.
Affordability / Value Accelerated:
To help manufacturers maintain profitability while delivering quality, Cargill is presenting cost-efficient solutions such as the Frytech oil-reduction frying system, which can improve snack yields and deliver up to approximately 3% oil savings. Other highlights include the NatureFresh Professional Star range of bakery fats and Protex SFR 101, a value-engineered thickener and stabilizer system designed for high-quality yet cost-optimized sausages and meatballs.
Convenience:
Cargill is also displaying ready-to-use mixes and instant solutions designed to accelerate time-to-market and simplify production processes. A live demonstration of Instant Dessert Pudding illustrates how food manufacturers can respond quickly to consumer demand for convenient, on-the-go products.
Live Culinary Experiences and Interactive Demonstrations
The booth features interactive displays and a live chef kitchen where culinary experts are demonstrating how consumer insights are translated into scalable product applications. Across the five-day event, live demonstrations include protein-rich wellness bars, texture-enhanced beverages, instant desserts, cost-efficient tropical cookies, and indulgent chocolate creations—highlighting Cargill’s ability to combine health, taste, functionality, convenience, and value.
Future-Ready Innovations and Sustainability
A dedicated Future-Ready Innovation Zone highlights Cargill’s upcoming pipeline of products, including EverSweet® zero-calorie stevia sweetener (currently awaiting regulatory approval), EpiCor postbiotics under development, and NextCoa, a plant-based cocoa alternative developed using sunflower and rapeseed oil.
Adjacent to this area, a Sustainability Corner showcases Cargill’s responsible sourcing initiatives and certifications such as RSPO and Rainforest Alliance. The display emphasizes the company’s commitment to helping manufacturers access certified and sustainably sourced ingredients through its global supply network.
Through its presence at AAHAR 2026, Cargill reinforces its role as a trusted partner for food, health, and nutrition solutions across South Asia. By combining innovation, consumer insights, and global expertise, the company continues to support modern food manufacturers with scalable, healthier, and cost-effective solutions designed to drive growth in India’s rapidly evolving food market.
