Paris: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann launched two new products under Markfed’s ‘Sohna’ brand at the international food exhibition SIAL Paris 2026 in France. The products, canned white chickpeas and canned kidney beans, were introduced as part of efforts to expand Punjab’s agricultural and processed-food products in international markets.
Mann also inaugurated Markfed’s stall at the India Pavilion during the exhibition. In a post on X, the Chief Minister described the occasion as a proud moment for Punjab’s farmers and cooperative institutions.
SIAL Paris, formally known as the Salon International de l’Alimentation, is an international food exhibition that brings together businesses and organisations from across the food industry. Punjab’s participation provides an opportunity to showcase its agricultural produce and processed-food products to international buyers.
Markfed, or the Punjab State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation Limited, participated under the Punjab Mart initiative alongside Milkfed, which markets products under the Verka brand, and Punjab Agro. The organisations jointly displayed a range of agricultural and processed-food products from the state.
During his visit, Mann highlighted the role of Markfed, Milkfed and Punjab Agro in strengthening Punjab’s agricultural economy. The state government is seeking to improve export opportunities and expand the international reach of products made by its farmers and cooperative organisations.
The launch of canned chickpeas and kidney beans under the Sohna brand represents an effort to present Punjab’s food products in convenient, packaged formats for potential international markets.
The exhibition also offers participating organisations an opportunity to connect with buyers, distributors and businesses from different countries. However, details about confirmed export orders, investment agreements or expected sales from the product launches were not provided in the supplied information.
