Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has launched two new products under the Punjab State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation Limited (MARKFED)’s SOHNA brand at SIAL Paris 2026, as the state seeks to expand its agricultural exports and strengthen the global presence of its processed food products.
The newly launched products, ‘Chickpeas in Brine’ (Chitte Chhole) and ‘Red Kidney Beans in Brine’ (Rajmah), were unveiled at the international food and beverage exhibition in Paris. The initiative aims to take Punjab’s traditional food products to international consumers while creating new market opportunities for farmers, cooperatives and food processors.
During the visit, the Chief Minister highlighted the role of MARKFED, Milkfed, which markets its products under the Verka brand, and Punjab Agro in strengthening the state’s agricultural economy. Products from the three organisations are being showcased under the Punjab Mart umbrella at SIAL Paris 2026, bringing together two of Punjab’s leading cooperative federations and a state government undertaking on an international platform.
Sharing the development on X, the Chief Minister said the launch was a matter of pride for Punjab’s farmers and cooperative institutions. He said the government aimed to take the state’s high-quality products to international markets, increase farmers’ incomes and establish Punjabi brands worldwide. “Now, people sitting all over the world will be able to enjoy the taste of Punjab’s canned ‘Chickpeas in Brine’ (Chitte Chhole) and ‘Red Kidney Beans in Brine’ (Rajmah),” Mann said. Addressing the gathering at the exhibition stall, Mann said Punjab had traditionally been known as India’s food basket and that the state now aimed to establish itself as a global hub for quality food products, value-added agriculture and modern manufacturing. He said the government was focusing on food processing, improved packaging, branding and stronger international market connections to create greater opportunities for farmers, entrepreneurs and exporters.
