From India to APAC: Leading Women in Nutraceuticals with WIN and Vitafoods Asia
As we prepare for Vitafoods Asia 2025, taking place in Bangkok from 17–19 September, it's clear that Asia-Pacific isn't just a growing market - it's rapidly becoming the global centre for nutraceutical innovation. The region's market is projected to reach upwards of USD 176 billion by 2034, growing at around 8% CAGR, outpacing many Western markets (as per Market Minds Advisory). This surge is propelled by consumers' increased focus on preventive health, rising disposable income, and the abundance of unique natural ingredients across Asia.
Supporting this momentum is Vitafoods Asia, organised by Informa Markets, which provides an unmatched platform for innovation, networking, and growth in the nutraceutical space. The event brings together over 650 leading brands, more than 13,000 attendees, 50+ expert seminars, an "A to C" academic-commercial bridge, guided innovation tours, and a "New Ingredients & New Products" showcase. It's more than an exhibition - it's the pulse of the sector in APAC.
And, at the heart of this growth is Women In Nutraceuticals (WIN) - a global non-profit committed to empowering women in every part of the nutraceutical value chain. WIN offers tools, networking, mentoring, and visibility to help women ascend into leadership roles, secure investment for women-led ventures, and lead research in women's health. Informa is not only the driving force behind Vitafoods but also a founding sponsor of WIN.
I'm honoured to be leading WIN in APAC, alongside Gillian Fish, CEO of The 6AM Agency, and also a founding member of WIN. Gillian's commitment, rooted in Ubuntu-inspired values "I am because we are", embodies the inclusive and sustained leadership that WIN represents.
When WIN was first launched, my initial thought was, "Why shouldn't this wonderful initiative also take root in India?" I believed deeply that the challenges and opportunities for women in nutraceuticals were just as pressing, and perhaps even more complex in India. With that conviction, I threw my weight behind bringing WIN to India. Very quickly, I realised that building something of this scale isn't about individual effort. It requires a collective. It takes partners, resources, and a network of people who are just as committed to the vision. And in that process, I also recognised something important: we had been thinking too small.
The expansion of WIN into Europe (WIN EU) and now Asia-Pacific (WIN APAC) demonstrates that this is not just a regional conversation - it's a global movement. Empowering women in nutraceuticals can't be confined to one geography. True impact comes when we harness international collaboration, adapt to local contexts, and push for gender diversity as a universal growth driver.
Our partners in this journey have been steadfast. Rungphech (Rose) Chitanuwat and Lakkana (Pueng) Chuvichien (from Informa Markets Vitafoods Asia) are instrumental in making WIN's APAC presence a reality at Vitafoods Asia, enabling a platform for expanding the conversation in the region and building the regional momentum. Their operational leadership supports our strategic mission to empower women across innovation, research, and business development.
The synergy between WIN, Vitafoods Asia, and Informa, as both the platform enabler and a founding WIN sponsor, creates a powerful trifecta. Together, we are building a more inclusive, dynamic, and innovative nutraceutical industry across Asia-Pacific.
In a region home to nearly 60% of the world's population, enriched by biodiversity and heritage ingredients, Asia-Pacific offers unparalleled opportunity and a compelling narrative on why diverse leadership, especially women's leadership, is not just right - it's revolutionary. As we look ahead to Vitafoods Asia and beyond, I invite both men and women to become leaders in this movement by joining us in amplifying our impact. Let's shape the future of wellness, together.
Rajat Mittal Shah, Co-founder Nutriventia