The inaugural edition of Vitafoods India by Informa Markets took place at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, 16-17 February. The two-day expo witnessed 60 exhibitors and 150 brands from both domestic and global markets.
The expo’s key VIP guests included Padmashri Vaidya Rajeshji Kotecha, secretary, ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy), Government of India; Shri Praveen Mittal, senior director, FICCI (Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry) and Rahul Deshpande, sr. group director Informa Markets in India, among others.
Vitafoods India caters exclusively to the nutraceutical market that is increasingly growing in the country and the event brought together key players in the nutraceutical industry and Padmashri Vaidya Rajeshji Kotecha said at the event: “We wish to compliment Informa Markets in India for the launch of Vitafoods India, a move that could be path-breaking within and outside India. Naturally blessed with a variety of natural plants and herbs, India is in a position of great advantage when it comes to nutraceuticals. We have already witnessed a transformation in the Indian consumer from a reactive to a preventive stance when it comes to health issues. What needs to be done now is to advocate with scientific examples the genuine medicinal and scientific value of nutraceuticals.
“With Governmental support and advocacy, the AYUSH industry has grown six times in the past seven years. While our domestic market is vibrant, we would like to see more exports in this industry.”
Vitafoods India provide a platform for professionals to network, knowledge-share, and conduct business in the Indian market. The event covered four key sectors of the nutraceutical industry, including ingredients and raw materials, finished products, contract manufacturing and private label, and services and equipment.
Yogesh Mudras, the managing director of Informa Markets in India, said, “Accounting for 2% of the global market and limited participation from companies, India has a huge opportunity in the nutraceuticals sector. India's rich heritage of Ayurvedic remedies and abundant plants and herbs grown in its 52 agro zones provide opportunities for further nutraceutical innovations.”
“The expo is timely and is expected to contribute to the industry's estimated $100bn valuation by 2030,” he added.
Vitafoods India featured innovative product zones, including a special Global Trends Zone by Mintel, with products bucketed under relevant themes such as ‘Brain Cognition’, ‘Emotional well-being’, ‘Innovative Format’ and ‘Women Centric Products’.
The show also had a parallel conference with content partnered by Expert Nutraceutical Advocacy Council (ENAC).
