Third edition of Vitafoods opens, India’s ayurveda and nutraceutical sector aims for USD 200 billion
The third edition of Vitafoods India, organised by Informa Markets in India, opened on 5 February. The expo was graced by dignitaries, which included, senior government officials, food scientists, and exhibitors.
06 Feb 2025 | By WhatPackaging? Team
Inaugural ceremony underlines how global nutrition is USD520 billion in 2024, even as India’s ayurveda and nutraceutical sector aims for USD 200 billion by 2035
With an anticipated 8,000 visitors, including distributors, procurement specialists, R&D professionals, and regulatory experts, Vitafoods is being hosted at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. Against the backdrop of India’s nutritional supplements market projected to reach USD 68.42-billion by 2030 at an 8.0% CAGR, the event highlights innovations and strategic opportunities shaping the future of health and wellness.
The inaugural ceremony saw Dr. Subrata Gupta, IAS, the secretary at the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, GoI who said "The global nutrition market, valued at approximately USD 520-billion, is witnessing a growing emphasis on traditional and preventive healthcare. India’s share, estimated around USD 8-billion, highlights the sector’s vast potential, particularly in Ayurveda-based nutraceuticals." He added, "The industry plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between traditional knowledge and modern healthcare by ensuring accessibility, traceability, and quality of herbal and plant-based products. With increasing global demand, standardisation, research-backed validation, and sustainable cultivation practices are critical to strengthening India's position as a leader in the natural wellness sector."
Gupta pointed out how "Addressing challenges such as quality planting materials, processing gaps, and export compliance can significantly enhance the sector’s contribution to farmers, employment, and foreign exchange earnings. By leveraging advanced processing techniques like gamma irradiation to improve shelf life and expanding institutional support for small and medium enterprises, India is poised to not only reclaim its 5,000-year-old legacy in Ayurveda but also emerge as a dominant force in the international wellness industry."
Meanwhile, Dr Manoj Nesari, advisor, Ayurveda, Ministry of AYUSH, GoI, said, "The Ayurveda and nutraceutical sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, with the market expanding from USD 3-billion in 2014 to USD 18.2-billion by 2020 and currently valued at around USD24 billion. With a projected target of USD200 billion over the next decade, this growth is driven by increasing global acceptance, research advancements, and policy support."
Nesari said, "The industry is evolving beyond conventional supplements to embrace Ayurvedic Aahar, recognising the immense potential of flavonoids and alkaloids found in medicinal plants and everyday foods. The thin line between food and medicine highlights the significance of functional ingredients like turmeric, amla, and triphala in promoting holistic well-being. Addressing key public health concerns, such as iron deficiency anemia, requires a shift from mere supplementation to improving nutrient absorption, a focus highlighted by initiatives like Mission Utkarsh."
He pointed out that "Amendments to the Food Security Act emphasise the importance of nutrition beyond caloric intake. With Ayurveda extending into veterinary applications and Agro Ayurveda ensuring a sustainable supply chain, India is well-positioned to integrate traditional knowledge with modern health solutions. As global interest in Ayurveda and medical value travel continues to rise, the sector stands at the forefront of fostering both industry growth and societal well-being."
Speaking on the occasion of Vitafoods India 2025, Yogesh Mudras, the managing director at Informa Markets in India, said, “Vitafoods India stands as a definitive platform for the nutraceuticals and dietary supplements industry, reflecting its rapid evolution and immense potential. In 2024, the sector experienced remarkable growth driven by consumer demand for personalised and science-backed health solutions, and 2025 is set to build on this momentum." Mudras added, "With the increasing emphasis on supply chain transparency, digital health integration, and regulatory compliance, stakeholders are well-positioned to address emerging challenges and seize opportunities in this dynamic market. Nutraceuticals now dominate the pharma-supplement market, with evolving regulations like those from FSSAI set to attract investments and foster growth.”
Vitafoods is a premier platform for India’s nutraceutical sector, the event features 136 domestic and 23 international exhibitors, alongside 35+ industry experts sharing insights on market trends. The expo is backed by important associations, including Association of Herbal and Nutraceutical Manufacturers of India (AHNMI), Association of Food Scientists & Technologists India (Mumbai Chapter) (AFSTI), Chamber for Advancement of Small & Medium Businesses (CASMB), The Global Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI), Health Foods and Dietary Supplements Association (HADSA), Shellac and Forest Products Export Promotion Council (SHEFEXIL) and Women in Nutraceuticals (WIN).
Vox Populi at Vitafoods
Salman Mehkri
Head of business development, Bio-gen Extracts
The Indian nutraceutical industry is currently valued at USD 5 to 6-billion and is witnessing rapid growth, with a projected CAGR of 12–13%. This strong momentum is expected to double the industry’s size within the next 4–5 years. With increasing consumer awareness, rising disposable incomes, and high-quality products entering the market, we see tremendous potential. The industry has also set an ambitious goal of reaching USD 100-billion by 2047.
Today Bio-gen Extracts is contributing to India's growth with innovations, including a vegan-based Omega-3 supplement for prenatal and pediatric use, as well as a powerful Curcumin-Thymoquinone complex for immune and respiratory health. Bio-gen's manufacturing facilities in Karnataka and Kerala, along with its soon-to-be-announced expansion, will ensure the company can serve over 50 markets globally, including North America, Europe, and APAC.
Nishant Chachra
Vice president, business development, KSM-66 Ashwagandha
At KSM-66 Ashwagandha, we take immense pride in being the global leader in Ashwagandha, holding over 67% of all Ashwagandha exports from India. As a one-product company, our singular focus is on ensuring the highest quality, efficacy, and safety. This commitment is backed by over 33 published clinical studies, multiple human safety trials, and 46 quality certifications at our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Hyderabad. With exports spanning 53 countries, North America remains our largest market, followed by Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.
As per NBJ report, Mood and Mental Health is among the fastest-growing condition categories in supplements. In 2023, sales increased by 6.9% to hit USD 1.53-billion and is expected to remain in the 6.5% to 7% range through 2027 driven by increasing consumer demand for mental wellness products addressing anxiety, stress, and cognitive health.
Sanjaya Mariwala
Executive chairman and managing director, OmniActive Health Technologies
The collaboration with Vitafoods has been instrumental in strengthening the nutraceutical sector, fostering global participation, and positioning India as a key player in botanical agriculture and value-added dietary solutions. India’s rich agricultural potential, coupled with its pharmaceutical expertise, provides a strong foundation for innovation in nutrition, health, and wellness industries. With the right synergy between government policies and industry initiatives, the sector can unlock immense growth opportunities, much like India's success in the software industry.
Given the country’s manufacturing capabilities and scientific talent, achieving a USD 100-billion market in nutraceuticals is a realistic goal. A focused and collaborative approach can propel India to the forefront of the global nutraceutical landscape, driving industry expansion and enhancing its contribution to global health and wellness.
Abey Thomas T
Market development director, Colorcon
The nutraceutical sector in India is experiencing rapid growth, driven by a shift towards preventive healthcare, personalised nutrition, and the rising demand for natural and clean-label products. With a projected CAGR of 13.6% from 2025 to 2030, the industry is evolving through innovations in product development, sustainability, and digital transformation. The increasing accessibility of nutraceuticals via e-commerce and digital health solutions further accelerates market expansion. However, challenges such as regulatory compliance, quality control, and consumer awareness persist.
Addressing these requires a collaborative approach, leveraging research, strategic partnerships, and sustainable solutions. As the industry expands into rural markets and advances in R&D, the focus on label-friendly, natural, and high-quality formulations will be key to shaping the future of nutraceuticals in India. At Vitafoods India 2025, Colorcon is proud to showcase our latest product innovations and sustainable solutions, contributing to the continued growth of the nutraceutical industry.