The global nutraceutical market is valued at approximately USD 400 billion, while India’s share is under 2%.

It is within this evolving context that India’s nutraceutical industry is expanding steadily, with market estimates suggesting it will approach USD 24 billion by 2032. The sector’s growth reflects more than commercial momentum; it signals a broader recalibration of how Indians engage with food, supplements and functional ingredients as part of routine healthcare.

Despite strong domestic expansion, India’s position in the global nutraceutical economy remains modest. According to IBEF, the global nutraceutical market is valued at approximately USD 400 billion, while India’s share is under 2%. This imbalance highlights a structural paradox: a fast-growing home market coexisting with limited global penetration.

India’s comparative advantages are clear. The country has abundant botanical raw materials, a long tradition of Ayurveda, and an established base of herbal extract manufacturers. Exports of supplements, herbal extracts, specialised ingredients and finished formulations have gained traction, with industry commentary pointing to exports exceeding USD 2 billion annually in recent years, driven by ingredient innovation and international demand for plant-based solutions.

Yet, industry experts note that scaling this advantage requires more than raw material strength. Regulatory clarity, harmonised quality standards, and globally credible certification systems are increasingly seen as prerequisites for moving up the value chain from ingredient supply to finished, branded products.

Recent policy developments suggest a growing alignment between traditional knowledge systems and modern healthcare priorities. The Union Budget 2026 announced a 20% increase in allocation for the AYUSH sector, raising funding from ₹3,671.82 crore in FY 2025–26 to ₹4,408.93 crore in FY 2026–27.

Key measures include the establishment of three new All India Institutes of Ayurveda, the upgradation of AYUSH pharmacies and drug-testing laboratories to improve quality benchmarks and export readiness and the planned upgrade of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar. The budget also emphasises skill development, with plans to train 1.5 lakh caregivers in yoga and Ayurveda services, alongside targeted support for medicinal plant cultivation.

These initiatives reflect an effort to formalise traditional medicine within evidence-based frameworks, while preparing Indian products and practices for global markets that increasingly demand traceability, safety and scientific validation.

As the nutraceutical ecosystem matures, platforms that bring together ingredient science, formulation expertise, regulatory insight and market access are becoming increasingly

relevant. Vitafoods India 2026, scheduled from 11–13 February 2026 at the Jio World Convention Centre, is positioned within this broader transition.

The exhibition is expected to host over 10,000 trade visitors, feature more than 200 exhibitors and offer insights from more than 40 industry experts across over 19 knowledge sessions. At a time when the industry is negotiating questions of scale, credibility and global relevance, such forums serve as meeting points for diverse stakeholders navigating the next phase of growth.

Industry leaders point to the convergence of science, tradition and consumer trust as central to the sector’s future. Mr. Punit Dashottar, Vice President – Global Sales and Business at Unicorn Natural Products, said, “The future of nutrition is being shaped at the intersection of science, tradition and consumer trust. Standardized botanicals such as Ashwagandha, Turmeric, Shilajit, Shatavari and Green Coffee Bean are no longer alternative solutions, they are becoming foundational to how the world approaches stress management, metabolic health, mobility, energy and women’s wellness. As preventive healthcare moves to the mainstream, Gen Z is accelerating demand for clean-label, plant-based and transparent products, pushing India’s nutraceutical market into its next phase of innovation-led growth. Unicorns are building these healthcare brands with ayurvedic ingredients, validating India’s ability to scale its wellness heritage into globally competitive, science-backed platforms.

Vitafoods India 2026 represents more than an industry event, it is a catalyst for the next chapter of global wellness, where India emerges as a leader in shaping sustainable, long-term health solutions for a rapidly ageing and increasingly health-conscious world.”

From a formulation and delivery standpoint, Ankit Khokhani, CEO of Generex Pharmassist, highlighted the growing demand for evidence-backed solutions, “At Generex Pharmassist, we are redefining how nutraceutical innovation reaches the Indian consumer. By bringing globally patented, clinically proven ingredients and converting them into India-ready, market-winning formulations, we bridge the gap between science and success. At Vitafoods India 2026, we are unveiling next-generation solutions across women’s health, metabolic wellness, sports nutrition and healthy ageing, areas where consumers are increasingly demanding proof rather than promises. As India’s nutraceutical market accelerates toward a value of over USD 30 billion, Generex is committed to shaping a preventive, lifestyle-led future driven by science, transparency and measurable outcomes.”

The role of regulation and compliance remains central to sustaining growth. Jyoti Bhasin, Managing Director, India & Middle East at NSF, said, “India is emerging as a key nutraceutical manufacturing and export hub. Sustaining this momentum requires strong compliance, transparency and product integrity. NSF works with Indian businesses to align local practices with global regulatory expectations. In 2026, NSF is expanding its presence in India in the DS space through the launch of localized protocols for Product certification as well as cGMP program in association with IDMA, these programs will be based on global best practices, promoting harmonized quality and safety standards as well as meet all local requirements. Vitafoods India 2026 provides a strong platform to introduce these initiatives and build consumer trust at scale.”

As India’s dietary supplements and functional nutrition market expands, the next phase of growth will likely be defined by credibility, collaboration and long-term value creation.

Summing up this transition, Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director, Informa Markets in India, said: “India’s dietary supplements market is entering a high-growth phase, expanding at over 13.5% CAGR. Even more compelling is the rapid rise of personalised nutrition and wellness, which is growing at nearly 18% annually, reflecting a decisive shift toward informed, preventive and lifestyle-driven health choices. As nutraceutical innovation accelerates across formulation, personalisation and delivery, the industry’s next chapter will be defined by collaboration, credibility and long-term value creation. Vitafoods India 2026 will serve as the central platform bringing the ecosystem together and strengthening India’s role as a global leader in nutrition and wellness.”