Dr. A K Tyagi
Executive Director
Haldiram Snacks Pvt. Ltd

About : Dr. A.K. Tyagi is heading Haldiram Group of Companies as Executive Director from March 2014 and as Executive President since July, 2006. Under his leadership, Haldiram has grown 25 times, established itself as a market leader in salty snacks with a 46% share and traditional snacks with a 60% share. Dr. Tyagi began his career in 1984 with Wimpy International and has received numerous awards, including the Food Industry Icon Award, Life Time Achievement Award in India Food Forum, and CEO – Food Company of the Year Award from India Food Safety Summit & Awards by Synnex Group.

Abheek Singhi
Managing Director & Senior Partner, Boston Consulting Group
Chair of Practices & Partner Committee, BCG India

About : Mr. Abheek Singhi is a distinguished Managing Director and Senior Partner at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). With a wealth of experience and expertise in strategic consulting, Mr. Singhi has been at the forefront of driving impactful transformations across various industries. At the International Spice Conference 2024, Mr. Abheek Singhi will be delivering a compelling address on "Shaping the Future: The Great New India Story."

Abhijit Bhattacharya
Managing Director
Terova Inc.

About : Mr. Abhijit Bhattacharya is the Managing Director of Terova Inc. In his current role, Abhijit manages worldwide operations for growing, sourcing and processing spices, herbs, plant extracts and fruit /vegetable dehydrates with Terova’s team based in Asia, USA, Mexico, Central and South America, Europe and Africa. He is a co-inventor for patents on extracts of Capsicum, Paprika and Marigold in the area of human health, metabolism and nutrition.
Company Details : Terova is a new venture of Griffith Foods established with a mission to deliver sustainable, ethically sourced, traceable natural ingredients. Terova develops and commercializes innovative applications of plant-based materials for food, and nutrition that add value to the products and brands of Griffith Foods and its customers worldwide.

ABHISHEK PODDAR
MANAGING DIRECTOR
NANI AGRO FOODS (P) LTD.

About : Mr. Abhishek Poddar is the Managing Director of Nani Agro, a company established in 1968 with a focus on turmeric processing. He joined the traditional business sector in 2002 and has since diversified the company's operations to include private label business of spices with European customers, as well as traditional, export, and HORECA (Hotel/Restaurant/Café) segments. Under his leadership, Nani Agro has become one of the largest processors for turmeric and has expanded its business to include pepper, chilies, and other seed spices.
Company Details : Nani Agro Foods (P) Ltd., Erode in India is in the Spice business since 5 decades. It was established in 1969 by our Chairman, Mr. Hari Poddar, and initially focused on Turmeric Sourcing and thereon has grown to a full fledged manufacturing and packing business catering to over 200 customers worldwide and is packing for over 40 brands worldwide. It's spice and spice blends make food taste great. A fully integrated, end-to-end solution provider in Spice business, we specialize in bringing together traditional expertise with state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.

Ajith S
GM - Sales
SYNTHITE INDUSTRIES LTD

About : Ajith Sankaran has over 12 years of experience in the spices industry, currently serving as the General Manager - Sales and Marketing at Synthite Industries Pvt Ltd. Ajith has played a pivotal role in enhancing market share and brand visibility. Prior to his current role, he spent 5 years at Maruti Suzuki as a Manager in the supply chain function, contributing significantly to operational efficiency. Ajith holds an MBA from the prestigious Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode, complemented by a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the esteemed Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay.
Company Details : Synthite Industries Private Ltd is an Indian oleoresin extraction firm, world's largest producer of spice extracts , spice powders and essential oils. synthite has foot prints in India, China, Brazil, USA, Vietnam and Srilannka

Anand Venkitraman
President
Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry

About : With a rich career spanning 38 years, Mr. Venkitraman Anand is a seasoned professional with comprehensive experience across varied business and functional domains. Currently spearheading Harrisons Malayalam Limited as the Chief Executive and Whole-time Director, Mr. Anand thrives in guiding family businesses towards sustainable growth while maintaining their core values. Mr. Anand presides over The Cochin Chamber of Commerce & Industries, contributes as an Executive Committee Member at the Kerala Management Association (KMA), and holds membership in the Kerala State Council of the Confederation of Indian Industry.

Mr. Ankur Bhaumik
Director - Operations
ORKLA INDIA

About : Ankur Bhaumik is a highly experienced professional with over 30 years of expertise in end-to-end supply chains. He is also the Chair of the Agro and Food Processing Expert Committee at the Bangalore Chamber of Commerce.

Aparajita Baruah
Founder
Crafts and Looms Gallery - Agro & Livestock

About : Aparajita Baruah is a visionary entrepreneur with a flair for creativity and a heart for social impact. She empowers artisans and revolutionizes agro, focusing on poultry and chilly farming. She is a holistic healer and Reiki practitioner. She has been honored by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Govt of India in 2017 and by the Government of Assam 2018.

Benoit Winstel
Vegetal Division Director
COLIN PALC

About : Benoit Winstel serves as the Vegetal Division Director of Colin group, a European leader of dry ingredients and culinary bases for the food industry and food service. He joined the company in 1994 as a factory manager and subsequently held various responsibilities in purchasing. For the past two years, Benoit Winstel has been serving as the Chairman of the European Spice Association.
Company Details : COLIN INGREDIENTS/DIAFOOD PROVIDE THE EUROPEAN FOOD INDUSTRY WITH HERBS, SPICES, VEGETABLES, MUSHROOMS, SEASONINGS, FUNCTIONAL MIXES, FLAVOURS AND COLORING AGENTS

Bhasker Goud
Senior Manager
ITC Limited - ABD

About : Mr. Bhasker Goud is the head of procurement in ITC Ltd holding over 18 years invaluable experience in the spices industry. Mr. Goud's strategic acumen serves as the bedrock for the efficient value chain that underpins the success of domestic spice brands such as Aashirvad and Sunrise. Mr. Goud's visionary approach, coupled with his profound product knowledge, has propelled the growth of overall spices exports from India to unprecedented heights.
Company Details : ITC is one of India’s leading multi-business conglomerates with a market capitalisation of over US$ 60 billion and a turnover of over US$ 8.5 billion with presence in FMCG, Agri Business, Hotels, Paperboards & Packaging and Information Technology. ITC Spices, a dedicated unit of ITC’s Agri Business Division, was established as an independent business in 2004. Located in Guntur – “the chilli capital of the world” – in Andhra Pradesh, ITC Spices has emerged as a country leader in backward integrated food safe spices and is today a trusted and preferred supplier to discerning customers and global food ingredient majors, handling over 70,000 MT annually.

Mr Brendan Foley
President and Chief Executive Officer
McCormick & Company

About : Brendan Foley is McCormick’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Since joining McCormick in 2014, Mr. Foley has held several executive management roles, including: President – U.S. Consumer; President North America; President Global Consumer – Americas and Asia; and most recently, President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Foley was promoted to Chief Executive Officer for McCormick on September 1, 2023. He was also elected to the Company’s Board of Directors in June 2023. Mr. Foley joined McCormick after H.J. Heinz where he spent 15 years in Marketing and General Management roles including President for the North America Zone. Prior to H.J. Heinz, Mr. Foley worked in Marketing for General Mills, Inc. Mr. Foley holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Miami University of Ohio. Mr. Foley serves on multiple industry and not-for-profit groups, including: the Greater Baltimore Committee and the Consumer Brands Association. Mr. Foley served on the Board of Directors for the YMCA in Sewickley Valley, Pennsylvania, and the Maryland Food Bank where he completed his role as Board Chair in 2021.

Christiaan de Leeuw
Manager - NFPP
Nedspice EMEA BV

About : As manager of Nedspice’s farmer partnership programme, Christiaan emphasizes the importance of sustainable farming practices and the support for smallholder pepper farmers, to enable them to earn a fair income. Starting as data analyst for Nedspice four years ago, Christiaan learned about the importance of research to make meaningful change in the spice supply chain. Working alongside various stakeholders and placing sustainability insights in a broader perspective is fundamental to have a positive impact. In addition to his work for Nedspice, he is finalizing his PhD in Marine Biology at Wageningen University & Research.
Company Details : Nedspice is a privately-owned group of companies with worldwide activities in the sourcing, processing and distribution of spices, herbs and dehydrated vegetables. Our business activities include sourcing, cleaning, sterilization, grinding, packing and distribution of single spices, herbs and dehydrated vegetables. Nedspice is headquartered in the Netherlands and operates processing facilities in India and Vietnam. Sales offices, warehouses and distribution facilities are located in the Netherlands, India, Vietnam, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and China.

Cyril GALLARDO
DIRECTOR INGREDIENTS EMEA
V. MANE FILS

About : Cyril Gallardo was born in Toulouse, France, in 1974. He holds a master in chemistry from Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie Paris and an Executive MBA from IMD, Lausanne. He started his career in the space industry, continued in the field of optical fibers, and eventually moved into the fine chemical industry. He joined MANE in 2010, where he ran the aroma chemical operations, developing and manufacturing MANE’s natural extracts and synthetic molecules. In 2015, he took the head of the newly created Ingredients Division, for the EMEA region. Cyril is also one of the founders of Green Motion™, this unique tool which measures greenness of ingredients, flavors and perfumes.
Company Details : MANE is the leader in France.

Emmanuel Nambusseril
Chief Marketing Officer
AKAY NATURAL INGREDIENTS PVT.LTD.

About : Emmanuel Nambusseril is a seasoned professional with a profound expertise in the realm of marketing within the natural ingredients sector. As the Chief Marketing Officer at AKAY Natural Ingredients Pvt. Ltd., Emmanuel has been instrumental in driving the company's growth and establishing its brand as a leader in the industry. His strategic vision and innovative marketing strategies have significantly contributed to AKAY's global presence and reputation for quality. In addition to his role at AKAY, Emmanuel serves as the Vice Chairman of the All India Spices Exporters Forum (AISEF) and the Business Committee Head of the International Spice Conference 2024.
Company Details : Akay Group is one of leaders in the spice extracts and nutraceuticals industry. Founded in 1995, our proactive innovation and intelligent use of modern technology have enabled us to create and offer a wide range of value-added spice products. Our product range includes nutraceuticals/dietary supplement ingredients, spice oleoresins, natural colours, essential oils, seasonings, and whole or ground sterilized spices. Our high-quality natural nutraceutical ingredients and precise quality retention methods make us the preferred sourcing partner for many renowned global companies. Akay is now a part of the Oterra Group of Denmark.

Evert-Jan Verschuren
Sustainable Supply Chains
Verstegen Spices and Sauces BV

About : With over 16 years of experience, Evert-Jan Verschuren has been a leading advocate for environmentally conscious and socially responsible business practices in the international spice industry. Evert Jan's expertise includes the successful implementation of a blockchain traceability system, a mobile app using geospatial satellite data to support farmers, and a climate-smart farming program based on regenerative agriculture. Currently, as the sustainable supply chain manager at Verstegen Spices & Sauces BV, he focuses on developing and implementing sustainable supply chain solutions in Asia, particularly in Indonesia.
Company Details : Verstegen Spices & Sauces B.V. is a Rotterdam family business since 1886, now with the 4th generation at the helm. For us, herbs and spices are the foundation of taste. Verstegen therefore only supplies the very best quality herbs and spices. we source the best ingredients from the source, where we have a unique and sustainable partnership with local farmers. And we are proud of that! Because Verstegen keeps the entire chain in its own hands, we can keep the chain from farmer to consumer fair, transparent and sustainable

Firat Abras
Sales Manager
Kutas Food Group

About : Bio
Company Details : Kutas Group is World's leading grower, processor and exporter of Mediterranean herbs and spices

Dr. Frank Schütt
Director
Eureka- GBA Lab Group

About : Dr. Frank Schütt holds a professional degree in food chemistry and business administration and has a PhD in Berlin. Currently, he is the Director and Head of Customer Service at Gesellschaft für Bioanalytik, where he is a member of several working groups dealing with topics in the areas of residues, contaminants, microbiology, food labelling, and legal requirements for ecological products. Dr. Schütt is also the Head of the German standard committee for vitamins and carotenoids.

George Kurian Kannanthanam
Founder & CEO
Growcoms Pvt.Ltd

About : Mr. George Kurian Kannanthanam is the CEO & Founder of Growcoms Pvt. Ltd. He has over 17 years of corporate leadership in the spices industry and has worked with notable companies such as Tata Coffee, ITC Limited, and Synthite Industries Ltd. He specializes in leveraging technology to enhance efficiencies within the spices value chain, with a strategic focus on traceability and trackability.
Company Details : Based in Kochi, India, Growcoms, a spice tech startup, excels in providing whole spices, powders, oils, oleoresins, and seasonings to enterprise clients through our innovative digital platform. Our unique procurement approach involves direct engagement with farmers and strategic partnerships with processors, ensuring transparency in our supply chain using blockchain technology. With a full-stack technological approach, we effectively manage the spices value chain, experiencing remarkable growth in the past two years. Supported by investors like Infoedge Ventures, JSW Ventures, and Arali Ventures, Growcoms has become an industry leader.

Greg Sommerville
Vice President, Global Procurement and Quality Control
Frontier Co-op

About : As VP of Procurement and Quality Control at Frontier Co-op, Greg brings over 20 years of experience in the global herb and spice supply chain to his leadership of the co-op's purchasing, quality control and planning teams where he oversees the procurement of food products, flavorings, essential oils, personal care and packaging. However, his work goes far beyond that to supply chain development, organizing co-packing partnerships, long term strategy and planning, ensuring supply integrity, and sustainability at source. Greg has traveled to many countries of origin and has worked extensively with suppliers to develop and strengthen supply chains; leveraging technology for value-added work and improved efficiency, creating and executing risk assessments, helping suppliers understand and meet global food safety requirements, and all steps in processing from field to bottle.
Company Details : A leading provider of organic spices in the United States.

Gulshan John
Managing Director
Nedspice Processing India Pvt. Ltd

About : Gulshan John has over 28 years of experience in Food and hospitality industry, prior to joining the Nedspice group. He holds the responsibility as a Country Manager for Nedspice group in India. Gulshan has held various responsibilities as board members at IPSTA, YMCA Fort Kochi, The Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry and World Spice Organization.
Company Details : Nedspice is a privately-owned group of companies with worldwide activities in the sourcing, processing and distribution of spices, herbs and dehydrated vegetables. Our business activities include sourcing, cleaning, sterilization, grinding, packing and distribution of single spices, herbs and dehydrated vegetables. Nedspice is headquartered in the Netherlands and operates processing facilities in India and Vietnam. Sales offices, warehouses and distribution facilities are located in the Netherlands, India, Vietnam, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and China.

Burcay Aslan
Commercial Director
Jayanti Herbs and Spice

About : Mr. Burcay is an Agronomist with an MSc degree in Mediterranean Organic Agriculture, working passionately in the Herbs and Spices sector since 2012. He is currently working as Commercial Director at Jayanti Turkey & Naturnorm.
Company Details : Indian Products Pvt. Ltd., part of Jayanti Group Is one of the leading manufacturer exporters of value added Spice. We have one of Asia's largest BRC A grade certified spice processing facility in Kinanthukadavu, Tamil Nadu. Herbs & Spice Processing Facility in Turkey has BRC AA+ certification. We specialise in farm-to-fork quality management. Our corporate office in Bangalore is the hub of trading activities. Indian Products has been awarded the Green Business Excellence Award 2014 by ASSOCHAM-ICAI for its many eco-friendly initiatives. Recipient of Spice Board and FIEO Best Exporter of Value Added Spice Award.

James Loftus
Sr. Global Procurement Manager
Kerry Group

Company Details : Global Food and Innovation company, sourcing raw material and manufacturing products to supply B2B

JULIANO CAMARA
MANAGING DIRECTOR
COREIMEX Representações Ltda.

About : Juliano Camara excels in brokerage and consultancy for multinational corporations. With a strong grasp of business technicalities, statistics, and market analysis, he has over 20 years of experience in the spice sector as a commodity broker. His expertise extends to international speaking engagements and collaborations with organizations like MAPA, ESA, and the EU commission. Juliano's influence spans global events and associations like ASTA and IPC, where he shares insights on the Brazilian pepper market with unparalleled expertise and foresight.
Company Details : COREIMEX as one of the leading Spices, Edible Nut and General Commodities Brokerage House with a vast of customers world-wide. Besides the brokerage business, in the last years the company is also focusing on the consultancy segment whereby represents multinational corporations for their procurement and sale’s purposes of products we are specialized. Statistics, market analysis are our differentials in the business. The commodities handled are: Black, White, Green and Pink Pepper, Cloves, Allspice/Pimento, Desiccated and Related Coconut Products, Cashew Nuts, Brazil Nuts, Quinoa, Chia and Others. However, in the last few years we have been concentrating our knowledge and strength in the pepper business from Brazil, whereby we are representing the top/best cleaning facilities both in the South and in the North of Brazil. Some of these companies we work are focusing on 100% sun dried material, selling pesticides guaranteed material, product safety, companies with all goods passed in metal detector and various powerful magnets, implemented programs, traceability, sustainability, quality and food safety certifications such as BRC, FSSC 22000, ISO 22.000, HACCP, ISO 45001, ISO 14001, Kosher and Halal. In addition, we are handling Brazilian Origin Certified Organic and Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Black Pepper. The Organic/Sustainable Certified Black Pepper is sold directly from a farmer (farm-to-fork). The company we represent is in the Southeast part of Brazil. All export licenses/registry are in place. They are equipped with their own cleaning facility and the cleanliness of the goods is not as different as one usually gets ASTA grade from any Brazilian Sellers who sell raw pepper to EU and USA. For the purpose of final consumption, we recommend goods to be spiraled and steam treated at destination. Goods are IBD certified, and it includes the COI. Organic and Sustainable Certificates are available if required. COREIMEX is a member of the American Spice Trade Association (ASTA) and the European Spice Association (ESA).

Mr. Kapil Dev
Chief Business Officer
NCDEX

About : With a career spanning over 16 years, Kapil has developed deep expertise in the Indian commodity market, agri business, and the changing dynamics of agri commodities trading. He has been instrumental in launching new products and building new categories at the Exchange. In his current capacity, he has been the driving force behind bringing innovation to the business operations, besides strategizing market penetration across agri and commodities ecosystem.

Karthik
Director
ASIAN SPICES

About : Karthik Udayakumar, a Director at Asian Spices, a renowned spice processing company in India, has over 20 years of experience in the industry. Under his leadership, Asian Spices has emerged as a trusted global brand, excelling in exporting various spices to over 30 countries. Karthik, a second-generation entrepreneur, holds a B.Tech in Chemical Engineering and has been instrumental in the company's rapid growth and success. He is actively involved in sustainable spice sourcing initiatives and holds key positions in industry organizations like the Federation of Indian Spice Stakeholders (FISS) and the Seed Spices Task Force Committee by the Spices Board, Ministry of Commerce, Government of India.
Company Details : Asian Spices is one of leading spice products manufacturer and exporter from India We strongly believe in sustainable supply chains and as such we partner with our farmer groups to procure IPM grade spices like Cumin Fennel Coriander Ajwain Fenugreek Chilly Pepper and Turmeric with full traceability We have large state of the art fully automated ISO 22000 Certified manufacturing units at Unjha Gujarat and Salem Tamilnadu which follows Good Manufacturing Practices to process and manufacture an extensive line of whole ground cracked flaked and kibbled spice products and speciality food ingredients with high quality asper international standards

Kirandip Swani
Managing Director
Swani Spice Mills Pvt. Ltd

About : As the sixth-generation steward of a 7-generation enterprise, he leverages more than 50 years of industry expertise, innovation, and market acumen. He has also served on The Spice Board for two terms and as chairman of the ISFEA for 3 years. In 2022, he was also bestowed with the Lifetime Achievement Award and named “The Legend of Spice Trade” by the Federation of Indian Spice Stakeholders. His relentless passion propels him to transform challenges into opportunities, solidifying his visionary legacy in the industry.
Company Details : Manufacturer & Exporter of Spice & Spice Blends

Laura
Executive Director
American Spice Trade Association

Company Details : The American Spice Trade Association's members include U.S. based agents, brokers and importers, and companies based outside of the U.S. that grow spices and ship them to the U.S. and other companies associated with the U.S. spice industry.

Ms. Lois-Rossi
Consultant
Rossi Regulatory Consulting Group & Former Registration Director, US EPA

About : Lois Rossi founded Rossi Regulatory Consulting Group in October 2014, following a 30-year tenure at the Office of Pesticide Programs at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Her expertise covers various aspects of pesticide regulation and Maximum Residue Limits (MRL)-related matters. She provides consultancy services to the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding vector control products and participates in projects involving import tolerance establishment and MRL harmonization issues. At EPA, Lois served as the Director of the Registration Division in the Office of Pesticide Programs for 11 years. She represented the United States as a delegate to the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR) and headed the U.S. delegation to the Working Group on Pesticides and the Registration Steering Group for the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Lois possesses a Master of Science degree in Biostatistics and Epidemiology from George Washington University.

Dr. Madhuri Nanda
Director – South Asia
Rainforest Alliance

About : Dr. Nanda is an environmental and sustainability professional with over two decades of experience in climate change, sustainable agriculture, and natural resource management. She holds a doctorate in Environmental Science and provides strategic leadership for Rainforest Alliance in South Asia. Her expertise spans diverse geographies and multi-stakeholder platforms, promoting the sustainability agenda.

Mike Liu
President
China Spice Association

About : With a rich academic background, he was a professor at Shandong Agriculture University in China from 1985 to 1996. Following this, he expanded his expertise as a visiting scholar at Texas Tech University and later as a Research Scientist at the University of California, Davis in the USA. In 2007, Mike Liu founded BCFoods, a global food ingredients supply platform known for its innovative "four in one" operation model - "Made by BCFoods, Made for BCFoods, Trade with BCFoods, and Service by BCFoods." Under his leadership, BCFoods has established plants in India, China, and the USA, with distribution services spanning across more than 40 countries worldwide. As the founding President of BCFoods, Mike Liu collaborates with CSA colleagues to set national food ingredient standards in China. He also works closely with international professional associations to drive market development and enhance global spice trade business practices for sustainable growth and development.
Company Details : China Spice Association is the offical association for China Spice industry, including manufactures, exporters, importers and related research and testing agencies. We are one of 46 associations under China CNFA and responsible for national industry standards, market and technology information exchanges and help to develop spice and seasoning import and export business. Avery year we host international spice confernce in the last quarter with 300 to 400 delegates worldwide gathering together, Currently Mike Liu is the president and Yi Li is the secerary general.

MS. MINNI JAITLY
SR. VICE PRESIDENT
DRY BLEND FOODS PVT. LTD.

About : Minni Jaitly is an accomplished entrepreneur and food scientist with over 25 years of experience innovating in the food industry. As Founder and Senior Vice President of R&D and Operations at Midas Foods, she brings her passion for food innovation to create differentiated products that meet evolving consumer tastes. She has spearheaded the implementation of stringent food safety and quality standards, and supply chain traceability processes at Midas Foods.
Company Details : Midas Food India Pvt Ltd / Dry Blend Foods Pvt Ltd is a leading manufacturer of seasonings and bakery premixes. Started in 1999, Midas Foods is providing customized solutions to more than 500 clients across the globe in various industry segments. Today, Midas is among the top-rated food solutions provider and most sought-after manufacturer of customized food blends and ingredients. Our production plant is situated in a green belt in Kashipur, Uttarakhand, the plant is GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) certified and have the innovation center in Gurugram NCR. At Midas we are committed to making our products healthier.

Nadia Niemann
Procurement Category Manager
Solina Group SAS

About : Nadia Niemann is a highly qualified professional with a Bachelor of Science in Food Science with Biochemistry from the University of Stellenbosch. With 12 years of experience in the spice industry across multiple departments, including quality, technical, sourcing, sales, and procurement, Nadia has demonstrated her expertise and versatility. Prior to Solina, she served as an Area Sales Manager at Olam Food Ingredients and held several positions at Cape Herb and Spice and Natural Herbs and Spices.
Company Details : WE MAKE FOOD MATTER, At Solina, we turn ingredients from around the world into tailor-made solutions for our customers in the food industry, foodservice, butchery and nutrition sectors. That is how we contribute to the production of food that is good in every sense of the word: good for you, good for people, good for the planet.

Nishesh Shah
Managing Partner
Universal Oleoresins

About : With over 20 years of expertise in the industry, Nishesh Shah is currently the Managing Partner of Universal Oleoresins. Universal Oleoresins is a specialised Value Addition centric company. Nishesh is involved in the manufacturing of high-quality spice oils, spice oleoresins, natural colours, Nutraceuticals and SPICE DROP (TM). He is a member of the All India Spices Exporters Forum's Managing Committee. He became the youngest president of Indian Chamber of Commerce, in over 150 years when he was elected in 2012–13. He is also a very active Rotarian and has served as Rotary President.
Company Details : Universal Oleoresins is a 43-year-old company specialising in Spice oils and Oleoresins. Universal Oleoresins is a FSSC, Kosher, Halal Certified Company selling Spice oils and Oleoresins in more than 50 countries worldwide.

Nitin Puri
Founder
KisaanSay

About : Nitin Puri is Founder of KisaanSay, a marketing company that offers consumers a range of food products coming directly from farmer enterprises across India. Nitin has a 25-year background in the food & agribusiness sector. At KisaanSay, he is currently involved in his personal & professional passion to enable consumers to get access to a range of select food products and to enable farmers in rural India to get better market access to distribution channels for packaged food products, through a marketing company that distributes products through mainstream physical & digital retail formats.
Company Details : KisaanSay is a marketing company that offers consumers a range of food products coming directly from farmer enterprises across India.

Mr Olivier Nonneman
COO
China Spice Services

About : After obtaining his degree in International Entrepreneurship in Belgium, Olivier Nonneman ventured to China ten years ago driven by his keen interest in the country. Having established strong relations with farming communities and processors in China, Olivier conducts annual crop surveys and compiles market information for thorough analysis and reporting. Additionally, he manages certified farming projects from seed to finished product, materializing his commitment to sustainability. Olivier's expertise and hands-on involvement in Chinese supply chains underscore his contributions to the industry.

Dr. P K Singh
Agriculture Commissioner
Government of India

About : Dr. Praveen Kumar Singh, a distinguished scholar, obtained his Graduation in Agriculture (1987), Post-Graduation in Genetics & Plant Breeding (1989), and Ph.D. in Genetics & Plant Breeding (1992) from Banaras Hindu University, earning Distinguished Merits and Triple Gold Medals. Since joining ICAR in 1992, he has played a pivotal role in the development and release of 14 subtropical sugarcane varieties, 03 novel germplasm registrations, and has authored numerous research papers. Dr. Singh is highly regarded for his expertise in IPR issues, Seed Production, and Farmers’ Rights. His accolades include the prestigious VISTA 2020 Distinguished Researcher in Plant Breeding Award and the Rajbhasha Awards from the Government of India.

Dr Pankaj Jaiminy
Managing Director
EUROFINS ANALYTICAL SERVICES (I) PVT. LTD.

Company Details : Food Testing in India Type to search... Submit Form Eurofins is the world leading Food Testing laboratory group, deploying a comprehensive range of state-of-the-art analytical techniques in order to support its clients' increasingly stringent quality and safety standards. We are present in India as Eurofins Analytical Services India Pvt Ltd and provide a comprehensive and one-stop testing service to businesses and organizations involved in food and feed processing, Agro products, Export, Hospitality and Retail chains.

Dr. Paresh G. Shah
Chairman
FSSAI Scientific Panel on Pesticide Residues

About : Dr. Paresh Govindlal Shah is a highly experienced professional with 36 years of expertise in the Pesticide Residue Scheme at the AINP, ICRA-Unit, Anand Agricultural University, Anand (Gujarat), India. He recently retired as Head of the Laboratory on March 31, 2021, leaving behind a legacy of over 300 pesticide industry-sponsored projects completed for the Central Govt./State Govt./under his guidance. Dr. Shah holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Chemicals from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi and has published over ninety papers in national and international journals. He currently serves as the Chairman of the FSSAI Scientific Panel on Pesticide Residues in Delhi, further cementing his reputation as a leading authority in the field of pesticide residue management.

Peter Sayia
Partner
A.A. Sayia Co.

About : Peter Sayia has been a partner with A.A. Sayia & Co., Inc. since 2008. At A.A. Sayia, Peter is responsible for sourcing all varieties of seeds and red peppers, working with suppliers from Europe to Asia. Peter currently serves as Vice President on ASTA’s Board of Directors and the ASTA Board Financial Task Force. He is also the Board Liaison on the ASTA Supply Chain Task Force and Crop Report Task Force. Peter has served on ASTA’s Annual Program Planning Committee, Arbitration Board, and Government Relations Committee.
Company Details : Spice Brokers & Agents

Dr. Prabhat Kumar
Horticulture Commissioner
Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India

About : Dr. Prabhat Kumar has been actively involved in teaching, research, extension activities, and managerial roles. He has supervised numerous students at both the M.Sc. and Ph.D. levels, published extensively in national and international journals, contributed to the development of new plant varieties, established a Model Floriculture Centre at GBPUA&T Pantnagar, and played a key role in setting up CAAST centers focusing on cutting-edge agricultural areas like genomics and climate-smart agriculture. Additionally, he has organized various national and international conferences during his career.

Prakash Namboodiri
Commercial Director Strategy
AB Mauri India Private Limited

About : Mr. Prakash Namboodiri is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of diverse experience in Sales management, Business Development, Procurement, and more. Holding an MBA in Sales & Marketing, Masters in Tourism, and a Graduate degree in Hospitality Management, he has honed his skills through an Advanced Strategic Management Program from IIM Kozhikode. Currently serving as the Commercial Director - Strategy & Growth at A.B. Mauri India, a subsidiary of Associated British Foods, UK, Prakash has excelled in roles within the Hospitality & Retail food industry, including renowned companies like TATA's and YUM. He has held the positions as Chairman of the “All India Spices Exporters Forum” and Vice Chairman of the “World Spice Organization”.  He has also been on the technical committee of Codex, and also part of the FSSAI nodal group on spices & Herbs. He is also a managing committee member of Indo American Chamber of Commerce (Kerala) and Cochin Special Economic Zone Industries Association.
Company Details : We are the One-Stop-Destination for Spices, Spice Blends& Seasonings across the industrial, retail and food service segments, constantly innovating to provide customers across the globe with high quality product and value for money. Cochin Spices sources its spices from the finest plantations and uses advanced processing techniques to ensure superior quality and taste. The brand offers a wide range of spices, including black pepper, white pepper, Chilli, Cumin, Cardamom, Turmeric, Ginger, and many more.

Dr. Pranjib K Chakrabarty
Former Member - ASRB DARE, Gol & Chairman - RAC
ICAR - CICR

About : Dr. Pranjib K. Chakrabarty, a distinguished member of the Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB), recently retired from various roles within ICAR in April 2022. With a post-doctoral research background in Molecular Plant Pathology from esteemed institutions like the University of Florida, Gainesville, and the University of Missouri-Columbia, Dr. Chakrabarty is a highly respected academic and professional. His illustrious career is adorned with numerous awards and fellowships, reflecting his exceptional contributions to the field. Dr. Chakrabarty has held prestigious positions such as President of three national Plant Protection Societies and has an impressive publication record of over 80 research papers. Notably, he has led the Indian delegation to international WHO/FAO meetings, engaging with the CCCF and CCPR in various countries, showcasing his leadership on a global scale.

Mr. Puneet Jindal
Vice President -Supply Chain
Jubilant FoodWorks Limited

Ramkumar Menon
Chairman
World Spice Organisation

About : Ramkumar Menon did his Masters in Economics from Delhi University and boasts nearly four decades of experience in the spice industry. Throughout his extensive career, he has assumed diverse roles, serving as Head of the Spice Division at M/S Brooke Bond India Ltd and General Manager of the International Business Division at M/S Tata Tea Ltd. He has served in key positions within the Industry as Chairman of the All India Spices Exporter's Forum (AISEF), and Vice Chairman and Board member of Spices Board. Currently, he presides as Chairman of the World Spice Organization, a nonprofit entity established by the industry to promote food safety and sustainability in spices.
Company Details : The World Spice Organisation is a common platform for all the stakeholders of the spice industry farmers, processors, academia and end users to work towards sustainable development.

Roberto Fanni
Herbs and Spice Specialist
Jayanti herbs and spice

About : Roberto Fanni is Chairman of the Technical Committee of the KNSV (Dutch Spice Association) and Vice-Chairman of the Technical Committee of the ESA (European Spice Association). (ESA). Roberto works for Jayanti Herbs & Spice as Director of the Supply Chain (QA) and the Direct Farmer Sourcing (DFS). He has over 20 years of experience in the spice industry with extensive knowledge and experience in quality processes, food safety and regulatory affairs. Roberto is also a member of the Contaminants Working Group of FDE (Food Drink Europe).
Company Details : Jayanti S .A part of Jayanti Group Is one of the leading manufacturer exporters of value added Spice. We have one of Asia's largest BRC A grade certified spice processing facility in Kinanthukadavu, Tamil Nadu. Herbs & Spice Processing Facility in Turkey has BRC AA+ certification. We specialise in farm-to-fork quality management. Our corporate office in Bangalore is the hub of trading activities. Indian Products has been awarded the Green Business Excellence Award 2014 by ASSOCHAM-ICAI for its many eco-friendly initiatives. Recipient of Spice Board and FIEO Best Exporter of Value Added Spice Award.

Robin Haller
CEO
Deli Spices Pty Ltd

About : Robin Haller is the CEO of Deli Spices and General Manager of Mane Shared Services Africa. He has joined the family business in 1993 and has contributed to its growth for over 31 years. Robin's expertise lies in creating and executing the strategic vision for the company, as well as leading its ambitious growth plans. He has built strategic partnerships with global suppliers to ensure Deli Spices remains a market leader in the industry. Under his leadership, the business prides itself on manufacturing and supply chain excellence, sourcing high-quality ingredients. In 2017, Robin led the strategic partnership agreement with MANE, enabling further innovation and expansion into the Sub-Saharan market.
Company Details : Deli Spices has grown to become recognized as one of the leading seasoning and additive blend suppliers to the Sub-Saharan food industry. Deli Spices has expanded it’s offering from the meat category to specialize in flavour and food enhancement solutions including flavourants (natural spices and herbs); meal creation (home meal replacement, hospitality and catering ingredient solutions; quick service retail); functional ingredients (soya protein and textured vegetable protein); casings (natural, collagen, and artificial), meat processing equipment and packaging.

Sanjeev Bisht
CHAIRMAN-AISEF
VICE PRESIDENT- VAAP

About : Mr. Sanjeev Bisht joined ITC in 2001 after completing his Masters in Agri Business Management from MANAGE. Mr. Bisht has pursued multiple management programs from IIM Bangalore, IIM Ahmedabad, and Cornell University. He played a key role in setting up the Spices business for ITC and has been instrumental in driving its growth. Additionally, he has been a key architect in setting up the backward integration program for the business, leading to its transformation into one of the best in the industry in farmer linkages and sustainability practices. Mr. Bisht has also expanded the reach of the business to major customers, and the spices business now exports to over 30 countries across the globe. He is currently the Chairman of the All India Spices Exporter's Forum.
Company Details : ITC is one of India’s leading multi-business conglomerates with a market capitalisation of over US$ 60 billion and a turnover of over US$ 8.5 billion with presence in FMCG, Agri Business, Hotels, Paperboards & Packaging and Information Technology. ITC Spices, a dedicated unit of ITC’s Agri Business Division, was established as an independent business in 2004. Located in Guntur – “the chilli capital of the world” – in Andhra Pradesh, ITC Spices has emerged as a country leader in backward integrated food safe spices and is today a trusted and preferred supplier to discerning customers and global food ingredient majors, handling over 70,000 MT annually.

Dr. Santhosh J Eapen
Retd. Head - Division of Crop Protection & Committee & Member - Scientific Panel on Pesticide Residues
FSSAI

About : Dr. Santhosh J Eapen is a research scientist with 38 years of experience in the field of crop protection of spices. He also has working knowledge of bioinformatics and knowledge management. Dr Santhosh has served as the Head, Division of Crop Protection and Acting Director at ICAR- Indian Institute of Spice Research. He was the Project coordinator, AICRP on spices with a network of 38 centres across the country and is a member of the Scientific Panel on Spices and Culinary Herbs, FSSAI.

Dr. Sasi Rajendran
Asia Regional Manager
Minor Use Foundation, Inc.

About : Dr. Sasireka Rajendran is a highly accomplished professional with a strong background in agricultural research and knowledge management. As the Asia Regional Manager at the Minor Use Foundation, she is dedicated to enhancing food safety and trade opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region. Dr. Rajendran holds a Ph.D. in Processing and Food Engineering from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, India. Currently, Dr. Rajendran serves as the Project Manager for three international projects on MRL data generation, demonstrating her commitment to managing critical projects aimed at improving food safety. She has successfully collaborated with esteemed organizations such as the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and European Union (EU), among others. Dr. Rajendran's expertise and leadership have made her a valuable asset to the Minor Use Foundation and the agricultural industry as a whole.
Company Details : The Minor Use Foundation (MUF) was established (1) to extend the work on conducted on Minor Crops to help in the generation and collection of data to facilitate the establishment of CODEX MRLs within CODEX ALIMENTARIUS International Food Standards; which is under the guidance of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organization (WHO); (2) to help facilitate trade in safe foods; (3) to help with the establishment of Global Minor Use priorities.

Shibu Anandarajan
Chief Procurement Officer
AKAY NATURAL INGREDIENTS PVT.LTD.

About : With over 34 years of experience, primarily in global spice and herb sourcing, Shibu Anandarajan currently holds the position of Chief Procurement Officer at the Akay Group of companies. In his role, he oversees the global sourcing of all materials, contract farming of spices and herbs, management of backward integration activities, and sustainability initiatives in red pepper, turmeric, and ginger. Shibu leads a dedicated team of agricultural professionals with the goal of producing and procuring spices with traceability and sustainability. He has been instrumental in establishing agriculture business operations and contract farming of spices for Akay in Cambodia, Rwanda, and various North Eastern States in India. Shibu has been a valuable member of the Akay team for the past 25 years.
Company Details : Akay Group is one of leaders in the spice extracts and nutraceuticals industry. Founded in 1995, our proactive innovation and intelligent use of modern technology have enabled us to create and offer a wide range of value-added spice products. Our product range includes nutraceuticals/dietary supplement ingredients, spice oleoresins, natural colours, essential oils, seasonings, and whole or ground sterilized spices. Our high-quality natural nutraceutical ingredients and precise quality retention methods make us the preferred sourcing partner for many renowned global companies. Akay is now a part of the Oterra Group of Denmark.

Sijil Karim
CEO
VALUE INGREDIENTS PVT. LTD

About : Sijil Karim is a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in the agriculture and management sectors. He holds a graduate degree in Agriculture Sciences and a postgraduate degree in Management. Currently, he serves as the CEO of Value Ingredients Private Limited, a company focused on building a fully digitized supply chain for spice ingredients from farm to fork. A people's person, Sijil is passionate about hiking, traveling, food, and badminton.
Company Details : Value Ingredients is a fully vertically integrated grower processor of steam sterilized spice ingredients. We provide global food manufacturers and spice brands with the full range of processed spices meeting global food safety standards. We have a fully digitized supply chain wherein every single bag of processed spice that we supply can be traced back right up to the farm. We are also certified to process organic spices meeting NPOP/NOP/EU organic standards.

Simon George
Managing Director
Cargill Food Solutions, South Asia, & President Cargill India

About : Simon George is the country leader of Cargill India & Managing Director of Cargill Food Solutions South Asia. Simon is a Postgraduate in Business Administration with Chemical Engineering background. He has over 35 years of experience of which more than 25 years is in the field of Food Ingredients & Solutions. His stints before Cargill include assignments as Country & Regional Head of Global companies like International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) Co. and Kerry Inc. During his tenure he has handled numerous senior level positions including Head of APAC business for IFF, Kerry & Cargill’s flavor business, with proficiency in developing new markets, building organizations, and leading mergers & acquisitions.

Sonia Cordera
Deputy Director
IDH

About : Sonia leads a team of professionals responsible for the aquaculture, flowers and plants, fruit and vegetables, juice, nuts and spices sectors and is responsible for the IDH living wage approach. She chairs/represents IDH in the Boards of the different sector and thematic initiatives with the aim of steering the industry towards the uptake of sustainable social and environmental practices.

Sreedhar Kaluva
General Manager
OLAM AGRO INDIA LIMITED

About : Leading Farmer Programs and Sustainability for ofi’s India Spices Business. · Agricultural Graduate with 27+ years of experience in Crop Development, and in evolving win-win proposition to all the stakeholders · Passionate professional in evolving Strategy, Planning, Responsible Sourcing & Supply Chain Management of Spices · Prior to Olam, worked with AB Mauri, ITC – Spices, Cochin Spices & Godrej Agrovet
Company Details : Olam Food Ingredients is now known as ofi. Focused on the raw materials and ingredient platforms that we are known for globally cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts, and spices. We still offer everything we did before. What is new is that we are adding capabilities especially in product development working closely with our customers, sharing our fresh ideas to inspire new concepts. Making it real at every step, from plant to palate.

Mr Sumeet Baruah
Co-Founder
CLG- Agro & Livestock, Guwahati, and Director, Parichay Global Works Services Pvt. Ltd.

Mr Sunjay Vuppuluri
National Head - Food & Agribusiness Strategic Advisory & Research (FASAR) unit
YES BANK

Mr. Suresh Narayanan
Chairman and Managing Director
Nestlé India

About : Mr. Narayanan is the Chairman and Managing Director of Nestlé India, leading various prestigious roles within the company and industry. He has been recognized with numerous awards for his exceptional leadership, including being named 'MNC in India of the year' in 2022 by the All India Management Association. Additionally, he holds key positions in organizations such as the CII National Committee on Food Processing Industries and serves as an Independent Director on the Board of Asian Paints Limited. His remarkable career journey includes significant contributions to Nestlé India's success and recognition on both national and global platforms.
Company Details : Nestlé is the world’s largest food and beverage company. We have more than 2000 brands ranging from global icons to local favourites, and we are present in 191 countries around the world.

Mr. Tamas Sarkadi
Chairman, Sustainable Spices Initiative (SSI)
Group Head of Sustainability, Sabater

About : With over two decades of experience in the food sector, Tamas Sarkadi’s expertise lies in navigating the complexities of global spice and soft commodity supply chains, focusing on sustainability, strategic sourcing, M&A, and supplier & business development. He is committed to fostering sustainability and passionate about creating positive impact and value across the spice industry and beyond, actively contributing as the Sustainability Committee Chair at ASTA and as the Communication Committee Chair at the SSI.

Thomas M. Daniel
Chief Procurement Officer (CPO)
Plant Lipids (P) Limited

About : With 11 years at Plant Lipids Group, Thomas Daniel actively contributes to sustainability and traceability initiatives. His extensive 33-year career spans strategic and tactical sourcing, farm-level sustainability, business development, sales, and operations across the spice industry, aquaculture, and finance services sector.
Company Details : Plant Lipids is one of the largest producers of spice oils and extracts in the world. Plant Lipids manufactures and exports essential oils, spice oleoresins, natural food colours, whole and ground sterilized spices to over 85 countries worldwide.

Dr. Vandana Tripathy
National Coordinator - All India Network Project (AINP)
ICAR

About : Dr. Vandana is a seasoned scientist specializing in pesticide residue analysis, food safety, and method development for detecting pesticide residues in food commodities. Her 20-year career expertise has led her to serve as a member of the FSSAI's Scientific Panel on Pesticide Residues and an IAEA-nominated expert for the Regional Training Course on Monitoring Pesticide Residues in Food at Jordan. Dr. Vandana is also a technical expert and a certified NABL assessor. She has participated in various electronic working groups of the FAO/WHO/Registration Committee/Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR). Dr. Vandana received the Meritorious Invention Award in 2010 from the National Research Development Corporation and the IARI Merit Gold Medal for the year 2003 for Outstanding Research in Agricultural Chemicals, ICAR-IARI. She holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural Chemicals from ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (2003).