India, with its deep Ayurvedic roots, has quickly turned into a global nutraceutical powerhouse. How? In the mid of 2020s, the world’s nutraceutical market is worth roughly $400 billion, yet India’s share was under 2% just a few years ago. What changed? The answer lies in a mix of traditional strengths, smart policies and booming demand.
Tradition and Biodiversity Give India an Edge
India’s rich natural resources and heritage are a big advantage. The country has 52 agroclimatic zones perfect for growing medicinal herbs. This means abundant raw ingredients: 1,700 medicinal plants, including famous herbs like curcumin, bacopa and ashwagandha. Many top nutraceutical companies in India tap into this Ayurvedic knowledge. They blend ancient wisdom with modern R&D to make unique supplements. Plus, India’s strong pharma industry experience helps ensure high quality products. In short, the mix of Ayurveda and science is a perfect recipe for growth.
Government Policies Fuel Growth
So, how did policy support kick things into overdrive? In recent years, India has rolled out new schemes and standards to help nutraceutical makers. For example, a CSIR led task force created India’s first dedicated Harmonized System of Nomenclature (HSN) code for nutraceuticals and launched a Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for the sector. This means eligible nutraceutical manufacturers get financial rewards for expanding production. At the same time, India streamlined regulation: FSSAI (the food standards authority) now clearly classifies these products as foods, avoiding confusion with drugs. Exporters also benefit from duty rebates (RoDTEP) and clearer rules under India’s 2023 Biodiversity Act.
The government didn’t stop there. It set up a special Nutraceutical Industry Panel under SHEFEXIL (the export council) to promote exports and quality. Even trade events got a boost: in 2025 India hosted the Bharat NutraVerse Expo in Delhi that brought together global buyers and suppliers. All these steps, from Make in India to Ayushman Bharat’s health push, mean India is building an ecosystem to support every nutraceuticals manufacturer in India.
Booming Demand and Global Reach
The market numbers tell the rest of the story. In 2020 India’s nutraceutical market was about $4 billion; by 2025 it’s expected to hit $18 billion. One industry leader even notes India crossed $6 billion in 2024 (with a 11% CAGR) and could reach $12 billion by 2030. What’s driving this? Simply put: health trends and more buyers. Immune boosting vitamins and herbal supplements have become wildly popular. In fact, the share of Indians using nutraceuticals regularly grew from 37% in 2019 to 39% by 2023, adding 28 million new consumers.
On the export side, Indian firms are scaling up. Indian botanical and functional ingredients are now meeting strict global quality controls, making them attractive for overseas markets. Events like Vitafoods India 2025 in Mumbai and the Bharat NutraVerse Expo show India off to the world. These gatherings (with hundreds of exhibitors and buyers from 25+ countries) promote ideas like “Food as Medicine” and spotlight India’s strengths.
Innovation, Startups and Research Hubs
India isn’t just growing bigger, it’s getting smarter. Several research & development centres have emerged.. For example, NIFTEMKundli, Centurion University, and CSIR institutes now host nutraceutical innovation hubs. In 2024, Kerala opened its first government backed Nutraceutical Centre of Excellence to help startups develop new products. This means even small firms can tap into labs and expert advice. Thanks to these initiatives, nutraceutical companies in India can launch cutting edge products faster.
All of this reflects a broader vision: “combining traditional knowledge with modern science,” in the government’s words. India aims to be known as a world class innovation and manufacturing hub for nutraceuticals. One industry report notes India’s nutraceutical sector grew from $2 billion in 2015 to $22 billion in 2025, and could reach $100 billion soon.
Looking Ahead: India on the World Stage
So what does this mean for the future? India is now on track to become a global nutraceutical hub. More government grants and international partnerships are coming. Consumers are more health conscious than ever. And India’s unique ecosystem, from ayurvedic farms to hightech labs, is a model for growth. The question now is not if India will succeed, but how far. With supportive policies and rising exports, Indian nutraceuticals manufacturers are ready to meet global demand. For anyone interested in nutrition and wellness, the next big innovations might very well come from India.
