The Organic & Natural Health Association has officially entered into a strategic partnership with the Shellac & Forest Products Export Promotion Council (SHEFEXIL) to bolster scientific collaboration and trade within the sector. This agreement, finalized this week, represents the first formal collaboration between the Indian export body and a trade association based in the United States. The initiative is specifically designed to enhance cooperation regarding functional ingredients, dietary supplements, and various natural health products.
This Natural Health Partnership serves as a core component of a broader strategy to increase international confidence in the regional nutraceutical industry. By focusing on certification initiatives and market development, the organizations aim to meet the rising global demand for transparent and science-backed global supply chains. For ingredient suppliers and manufacturers, the move highlights a shift toward prioritizing clinically supported botanical ingredients in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
Advancing the Nutraceutical Industry Through Cooperation
Under the terms of the new agreement, both organizations will engage in a variety of professional activities, including executive exchanges, regulatory roundtables, and scientific forums. The collaboration also encompasses trade missions, educational programs, and manufacturing site visits. These efforts are intended to address emerging challenges within the global sector while fostering academic partnerships and dedicated working groups.
Dr. Debjani Roy, Executive Director of SHEFEXIL, stated that the Natural Health Partnership creates a more robust bridge for innovation and responsible commerce. She emphasized that the goal is to build a trusted ecosystem through scientific collaboration and industry engagement that serves both the sector and its consumers. The partnership is expected to streamline the exchange of technical knowledge and regulatory standards between the two nations.
Strategic Leadership and Market Growth Projections
Anand Swaroop, founder and President of Cepham and a member of the Organic & Natural Health Association, is set to lead the collaboration via the association’s dedicated working group. Swaroop pointed out that while there has been a long-standing desire for closer engagement with the American market, this is the first formal relationship established with a U.S. trade association representing researchers and brands. This connection supports market development and the trusted relationships necessary for responsible growth.
This announcement marks the first major international step under the leadership of the newly elected president of the Organic & Natural Health Association, Mark Thurston. It comes at a time when the nutraceutical industry in India is positioning itself as a central hub for manufacturing and innovation. Research from SHEFEXIL indicates that the market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.6% between 2025 and 2030, fueled by interest in gut health, plant-based wellness, and healthy aging.
The two organizations will formally mark the commencement of this scientific collaboration at the Bharat Nutraverse Expo in New Delhi this September. Following this event, they plan to host their inaugural joint conference in New Jersey in January 2027. This long-term roadmap ensures that the focus remains on securing global supply chains and providing high-quality natural health products and botanical ingredients to the international market.
