Meghalaya is betting that a pineapple can become much more than a fruit.
After a record-breaking edition of the Meghalaya Pineapple Festival in New Delhi, the state government is looking to transform the event’s commercial success into a long-term strategy for building premium agricultural brands, expanding market access and raising farmer incomes through stronger value chains.
The three-day festival at Dilli Haat sold a record 30 metric tonnes (MT) of fresh Meghalaya pineapples—almost double the 15.4 MT sold in 2025 and nearly four times the 7.7 MT recorded during the inaugural edition in 2023. For the government, the sharp rise in sales reflects not only growing consumer demand but also the increasing recognition of Meghalaya’s premium agricultural produce.
Officials now plan to build on this momentum by expanding partnerships with organised retailers, food processors, exporters and e-commerce platforms while promoting other niche products from the state.
A significant outcome of this year’s festival was the signing of memorandums of understanding with Flipkart and NCDEX e Markets Ltd. (NeML). The partnerships are expected to create wider market access not only for Meghalaya’s pineapples but also for other high-value products such as Lakadong turmeric, ginger, honey and processed foods.
The agreements form part of a broader strategy to move beyond traditional farm-gate sales. Instead, the government wants to develop integrated value chains encompassing aggregation, processing, branding and digital marketing, allowing farmers to capture a larger share of the value created in the marketplace.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the festival’s success reflected growing appreciation for the efforts of Meghalaya’s farmers and entrepreneurs.
“On behalf of all the farmers, entrepreneurs and musicians of Meghalaya, I really want to thank all of you for making this festival a great success,” Sangma said at the closing ceremony.
Organised by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, the festival has steadily evolved from a promotional event into a business platform that connects growers directly with organised retail chains, hospitality businesses, exporters and institutional buyers. Officials believe such direct engagement will play an important role in making agriculture a stronger driver of economic growth through value addition and improved market linkages.
Visitors sampled not only fresh pineapples but also a range of indigenous foods and value-added products. Items marketed under the “Meghalaya’s Finest” brand attracted considerable consumer interest, reinforcing the government’s ambition to position the state as a source of premium agricultural products for both domestic and international markets.
The festival also created opportunities beyond immediate sales. Many participating farmers, several of whom travelled to New Delhi for the first time, held business meetings with prospective buyers, laying the foundation for long-term commercial relationships and repeat orders rather than one-off festival transactions.
Going forward, officials expect future editions of the festival to place greater emphasis on business-to-business engagements, export promotion, food processing and brand development as Meghalaya seeks to establish itself as a leading supplier of premium horticultural products.
Alongside agriculture, the festival highlighted Meghalaya’s cultural identity through performances under the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Grassroots Music Programme, reflecting the state’s effort to integrate farming, tourism and creative industries into a broader rural development strategy.
With consumer demand continuing to grow and new market partnerships taking shape, Meghalaya is now hoping that the success of its pineapple festival can serve as a blueprint for building globally competitive agricultural brands while creating more sustainable incomes for farmers across the Northeast.
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