Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab is taking two of its familiar food staples to international markets, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann launching canned Chitte Chhole and Rajmah under the state cooperative federation MARKFED’s SOHNA brand at SIAL Paris 2026.
The products, described as chickpeas in brine and red kidney beans in brine, were unveiled at the international food and beverage exhibition in Paris on October 18. The launch is part of the Punjab government’s efforts to expand the global reach of locally produced food, strengthen exports and encourage greater value addition in agriculture.
Mann inaugurated MARKFED’s stall at the India Pavilion, where Punjab’s agricultural produce, processed foods and established brands are being showcased to international buyers.
In a post on X, the Chief Minister said the launch would allow people around the world to enjoy the taste of Punjab while creating opportunities to improve farmers’ incomes and establish Punjabi food products in overseas markets.
What are MARKFED’s new SOHNA products?
The two new products are canned chickpeas, locally known as Chitte Chhole, and red kidney beans, or Rajmah, preserved in brine. Their ready-to-use format adds to MARKFED’s existing portfolio of processed Punjabi foods under its SOHNA brand.
The products are intended to serve international consumers and buyers looking for convenient food ingredients while offering another route for Punjab’s agricultural produce to reach overseas markets.
MARKFED’s existing range includes ready-to-eat Punjabi dishes such as Sarson Ka Saag, Dal Makhani, Rajmah, Kadhi Pakora and Amritsari Chana. Its wider portfolio also features mustard oil, pickles, murabbas, Amla Juice, Aloe Vera Juice, Amla Candy and other value-added food products.
The new canned offerings expand this range beyond prepared meals, giving buyers additional options for sourcing processed agricultural products from Punjab.
Why is Punjab showcasing its food products at SIAL Paris?
SIAL Paris is an international food industry exhibition that brings food manufacturers, buyers, distributors and other industry participants together. For Punjab, the event provides a platform to present its agricultural and food-processing capabilities to potential overseas partners.
Mann said Punjab’s agricultural strength needed to be translated into greater value through processing, modern packaging, branding and access to international markets. He described the state’s ambition as moving beyond its traditional role as a major food-producing region to becoming a recognised supplier of quality processed food products.
The state’s showcase is being presented under the Punjab Mart umbrella, bringing together MARKFED, Milkfed—which markets dairy products under the Verka brand—and Punjab Agro.
The joint platform is intended to promote Punjab’s food products collectively and improve their visibility among international buyers.
How could the expansion benefit farmers and food processors?
The government’s stated objective is to create additional market opportunities for farmers, cooperatives, food processors and exporters by increasing the share of agricultural produce that is processed and sold as branded products.
Value addition can help connect agricultural production with food manufacturing, packaging, distribution and export businesses. The initiative also seeks to support crop diversification and generate employment through the expansion of processing and related activities.
MARKFED reports an annual turnover of more than Rs 21,248 crore and says it directly represents and serves approximately two million farmers in Punjab. Its operations include processing, branding and marketing agricultural and food products under the SOHNA label.
The launch itself does not establish the volume of future sales or export orders. Those outcomes will depend on demand from international buyers, distribution arrangements and the products’ ability to compete in overseas markets.
MARKFED aims to expand exports and private-label manufacturing
MARKFED says its products are already exported to more than 20 countries, including markets in the Middle East, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Its participation in SIAL Paris is intended to widen that reach by connecting with importers, distributors and potential commercial partners.
The organisation is also exploring opportunities to manufacture products under private labels for overseas companies. This arrangement would allow international buyers to source food products from Indian manufacturers and sell them under their own brands.
According to the information shared by MARKFED, the organisation has an installed annual processing capacity of 2,700 metric tonnes for canned Sarson Ka Saag and other ready-to-eat products, alongside 3,000 metric tonnes for honey. It aims to use available surplus capacity for private-label production.
Such arrangements could offer an additional route to international markets, provided suitable buyers and commercial agreements are secured.
Punjab delegation holds business discussions in France
Alongside the product launch, the Punjab delegation held business interactions with French and international food and beverage companies, facilitated in coordination with the Embassy of India in France.
The discussions focused on potential markets for Punjab’s agricultural and processed food products, international sourcing requirements, buyer-supplier connections and longer-term trade partnerships.
The delegation also explored opportunities related to food-processing technology, cold-chain infrastructure, packaging, logistics and international distribution.
With the launch of Chitte Chhole and Rajmah, Punjab is seeking to strengthen the international presence of its homegrown food brands. The next stage will depend on turning the exhibition’s business connections into sustained export demand and commercial opportunities for the state’s agricultural and processing sectors.
