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India’s Nutraceutical Industry Poised to Outpace Pharma Growth by Tenfold: FSSAI

Rising preventive healthcare demand, regulatory backing and export potential position nutraceuticals as India’s next major health growth engine.

• By PharmaNews Live Desk
• New Delhi
• Feb 17, 2026

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India’s nutraceutical sector is set for explosive growth and could expand up to ten times faster than the pharmaceutical industry in the coming years, driven by increasing focus on preventive healthcare, supportive regulation and global market access, a senior food regulator said on 11 February.

Speaking at the fourth edition of Vitafoods India in Mumbai, Pritee Chaudhary, Regional Director (Western Region) of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), said nutraceuticals are emerging as a critical pillar of India’s health and wellness ecosystem.

“India’s nutraceutical industry aligns closely with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and has the potential to become a major contributor to nation-building,” Chaudhary told industry stakeholders.

‘Daily Health Products Can Surpass Medicines’

While pharmaceuticals remain essential for treatment, Chaudhary noted that nutraceuticals—ranging from health supplements and probiotics to fortified foods—are consumed daily, giving the sector a structural advantage in long-term growth.

“Given their role in preventive healthcare and everyday consumption, nutraceuticals have the potential to outpace pharmaceuticals by at least tenfold over time,” she said, adding that India currently accounts for around 2 per cent of the global nutraceutical market.

She also highlighted India’s strong pharmaceutical base and consultative regulatory approach as key enablers for scaling the nutraceutical industry with safety and quality at the core.

Manufacturing Strength and Export Push

India’s manufacturing hubs in states such as Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh are supporting competitive nutraceutical production, Chaudhary said, while the country’s expanding network of free trade agreements is opening doors to international markets.

India has trade arrangements with major economies including the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, the UAE and Australia, providing Indian nutraceutical companies with wider export opportunities.

She stressed the importance of science-backed formulations and robust clinical validation to enhance global credibility and consumer trust.

Global Market Set for Strong Expansion

Echoing this outlook, Health Foods and Dietary Supplements Association (HADSA) Secretary General Kaushik Desai said the global nutraceutical market is projected to touch nearly USD 920 billion by 2030, growing at a steady pace across functional foods, dietary supplements and personalised nutrition.

“As the industry expands, closer collaboration between regulators and manufacturers will be essential to ensure product safety, compliance and evidence-based innovation,” Desai said.

He also pointed to India’s rich biodiversity and traditional knowledge systems, including Ayurveda, as strategic advantages in developing differentiated nutraceutical offerings for global markets.

Consumers Turning to Preventive Nutrition

Industry executives noted that changing consumer behaviour is accelerating the shift toward preventive health solutions. Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director of Informa Markets India, said rising disposable incomes and greater health awareness are driving demand for everyday nutrition and wellness products.

“With nutrition increasingly influencing productivity and quality of life, consumers are consciously investing in preventive and personalised health solutions,” Mudras said, adding that national nutrition initiatives and regulatory clarity are strengthening the sector’s growth framework.

Sector Gains Policy and Investment Support

Senior industry representatives also flagged broader policy support for health-linked industries. Puunam G. Kaushik, Deputy Managing Director and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Meteoric Biopharmaceuticals, said recent government allocations for the biopharmaceutical sector could indirectly benefit nutraceutical innovation and capacity expansion.

She noted that the Asia-Pacific region, particularly India, is expected to see strong nutraceutical growth over the next five years as immunity, wellness and nutrition remain post-pandemic priorities.

A Strategic Shift in India’s Health Economy

While India’s pharmaceutical industry continues to play a vital global role in medicines and vaccines, the rapid rise of nutraceuticals signals a broader shift toward preventive and lifestyle-linked healthcare solutions.

With regulatory alignment, scientific rigour and growing global demand, India’s nutraceutical industry is increasingly being viewed as a high-impact growth sector capable of reshaping both public health outcomes and economic opportunity in the years ahead.