Fresh Produce India: 7 Game-Changing Trends Revolutionizing India’s Fruit Market in 2025

Fresh Produce India 2025, held in Mumbai, brought together 300 key players to explore the future of India’s fresh fruit and vegetable industry. The event highlighted the rapid growth of quick commerce, which is reshaping consumer shopping habits and boosting demand for premium imported fruits like avocados and blueberries. Industry leaders shared insights on emerging trends, branding strategies, and technological innovations transforming production and distribution.

Sessions also spotlighted India’s growing capacity to cultivate exotic fruits and the role of countries like South Africa in meeting India’s rising import needs. The launch of the Fresh Produce India Awards honored standout performers like KPN Farm Fresh, the World Avocado Organisation, and Sahyadri Farms. Delegates experienced hands-on learning through curated tours of wholesale markets, distribution centers, and premium retail stores. The event also fostered international collaboration, with initiatives like HortiRoad2India showcasing high-tech greenhouse solutions.

Overall, Fresh Produce India confirmed the country’s status as a vibrant, high-potential market for fresh produce growth.

Fresh Produce India: 7 Game-Changing Trends Revolutionizing India’s Fruit Market in 2025

India’s fresh produce industry is thriving, and the recent Fresh Produce India 2025 event in Mumbai captured this momentum perfectly. Held on April 3–4 at the Trident Nariman Point Hotel, the conference brought together around 300 industry leaders, farmers, retailers, and innovators. Organized by Fruitnet in collaboration with Asia Fruit Logistica, the event highlighted emerging trends, opportunities, and collaborations reshaping India’s fruit and vegetable sector.

Health-Conscious Consumers Drive Demand

The event underscored India’s rising appetite for premium and exotic fruits like avocados, blueberries, and dragon fruit, fueled by a growing middle class and health-focused lifestyles. Alongside this demand for imports, India’s domestic production is expanding rapidly, with farmers adopting new technologies to grow crops such as berries and avocados. Sessions emphasized how local and global businesses are adapting to cater to these evolving consumer preferences.

The event began on a wellness note with a yoga session led by expert Ira Trivedi, followed by a nutritious breakfast prepared by celebrity chef Amrita Raichand. Sponsored by Avocados Australia and Summerfruit Australia, the meal symbolized the industry’s shift toward health-centric offerings.

Quick Commerce Revolutionizes Shopping Habits

A major focus was the impact of quick commerce—platforms delivering groceries in minutes. Sachin Khurana of QuikRelations explained how apps like Zepto, Swiggy Instamart, and Blinkit are transforming consumer behavior. “Shoppers now order fresh produce multiple times a day instead of weekly,” he said. “This spontaneity boosts demand for premium and exotic items, especially fruits.”

Executives from leading delivery platforms shared strategies for suppliers and retailers to thrive in this fast-paced environment. Discussions highlighted the need for efficient logistics, quality control, and tailored marketing to tap into this $5 billion—and growing—sector.

Innovation and Global Partnerships Take Center Stage

From tech-driven farming to international collaborations, innovation was a recurring theme. The Netherlands’ HortiRoad2India project stood out, aiming to introduce advanced greenhouse technologies to boost local production. Meanwhile, India’s own farmers are experimenting with crops like dragon fruit and strawberries, reducing reliance on imports.

South Africa’s growing role as a fruit supplier to India also drew attention. With rising imports of plums, lychees, and avocados, trade ties between the two nations are strengthening. Experts noted that India’s diverse climate offers potential to grow these fruits locally, blending global demand with homegrown solutions.

Awards Celebrate Industry Achievements

The inaugural Fresh Produce India Awards recognized excellence in the sector:

• KPN Farm Fresh (Tamil Nadu) won the India Business Award for its innovation in supply chain and packaging.
• The World Avocado Organisation claimed the Marketing Campaign Award for boosting avocado consumption in India.
• Sahyadri Farms received the India Impact Award for empowering small farmers and enhancing supply chain efficiency.

These awards highlighted the sector’s collaborative spirit, celebrating both local pioneers and global influencers.

Behind-the-Scenes Market Insights

Day two featured visits to key industry sites:

1. Vashi Wholesale Market: Delegates witnessed the bustling trade of freshly arrived mangoes, a staple in India’s fruit economy.
2. Suri Agro Fresh: The tour showcased state-of-the-art cold storage and packing facilities, emphasizing India’s growing focus on reducing food waste.
3. Reliance Retail’s Freshpik: Attendees explored this premium store, sampling products and learning about modern retail strategies blending quality and convenience.

A Bright Future Ahead

Fresh Produce India 2025 painted a vibrant picture of the sector’s future. Quick commerce, technological advancements, and sustainability efforts are driving growth, while global partnerships open new avenues for trade. With a young population and increasing disposable incomes, India is poised to become a major player in both the production and consumption of fresh produce.

The event concluded on an optimistic note, reflecting the industry’s confidence in harnessing these trends to build a resilient, innovative, and globally connected fresh food ecosystem.