New Delhi, May 21:
India’s toffee exports have witnessed a sharp rise of 166 per cent over the past 12 years, reaching Rs 132 crore in 2025-26, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Wednesday.
According to official data, exports of toffees stood at Rs 49.68 crore in 2013-14. Highlighting the growth, Goyal described India’s “toffee tale” as a success story, noting that exports have expanded significantly over the past decade.
The development gained attention after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for gifting her ‘Melody’ toffees, reviving the popular “Melodi” wordplay associated with the two leaders on social media. In a video shared online, Meloni praised the toffees, calling them “very, very good.”
Prime Minister Modi is currently visiting Italy at Meloni’s invitation, with discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, defence, clean energy, and technology.
The term “Melodi,” a blend of Modi and Meloni’s names, first gained traction during the COP28 summit in Dubai in 2023 and has since become a recurring theme in their public interactions.
The surge in toffee exports also reflects the broader growth of India’s processed food and confectionery sector, which has been gaining traction in global markets due to improved quality standards, competitive pricing, and expanding distribution networks.
Industry experts note that increased branding, government support for food exports, and rising global demand for affordable confectionery products have contributed to this upward trend, positioning India as an emerging player in the international sweets and snacks market.