Mr Aathitiyan V S

Founder and CEO

Cookd Ventures Pvt Ltd

Mr Abhinav Bindra

Olympic Gold Medalist & Founder

Abhinav Bindra Targeting Performance

About: Born in Dehradun, Abhinav Bindra is famous for being the first Indian to win an individual Olympic Gold at the Beijing 2008 Olympics. He has won over 150 individual medals in a career that lasted over twenty years. He fired his last shot in 2016 at the Rio Olympics, where he finished 4th. Bindra is also a recipient of the Arjuna Award and the youngest recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. Mr. Bindra was also conferred with India’s 3rd highest civilian award, The Padma Bhushan, in 2009. He was also honoured with the title of (Hony.) Lt. Col. in the Territorial Army. For his exceptional services to the Sport of shooting, he was awarded with the Blue Cross in 2018 by the International Shooting Sport Federation, which is the ISSF’s highest honour. After retirement, Bindra has started several initiatives including Abhinav Bindra Targeting Performance, a centre for physiotherapy and rehabilitation, and Abhinav Bindra Foundation, a non-profit organization for supporting sports endeavours, among others. He is also a member of the Indian Olympic Committee’s Athletes Commission.

Mr Ajay Pillai

Head of Business

Innova Market Solutions

About: With a knack for business growth and a passion for market insights, Ajay Pillai brings a wealth of experience across diverse industries. As the Head of Business Development at Innova Market Insights, he is at the forefront of driving strategic partnerships and industry innovations. Ajay’s journey spans leadership roles at Viral Fission, Pepper Content, Mintel, and Gupshup, where he honed his expertise in marketing communication, account management, and business strategy. His ability to decode market trends and consumer behavior makes him a dynamic force in the industry. Academically, Ajay blends science and strategy, holding an Executive MBA in Strategic Marketing from IIM Lucknow and an MBA in Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management from Annamalai University, alongside a Bachelor’s in Zoology. With a keen eye for trends and a flair for innovation, Ajay is a thought leader shaping the future of market insights!

Amarander Y

Head-Spices Procurement & Crop Development

ITC LIMITED ABD

About: After completing his Master's in Agri-Business Management in 2010, Mr. Amarander joined ITC Limited’s Tobacco Division as a Leaf Superintendent. He joined the Spices Division of ITC three years later as a Crop Development Manager. In this capacity, he worked across various regions, including Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, overseeing crop development and procurement under the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. Since 2018, Amar has led the entire spices IPM program of ITC, ensuring compliance with sustainable farm certifications such as GAP, RA, and Organic standards. Currently, as the head of Crop Development and Procurement for the Spices Division, he manages the sourcing of IPM, sustainable, organic, and conventional materials for in-house business.

Company Details: ITC is one of India's foremost private sector companies with a Gross Revenue of Rs 69,446 crores and Net Profit of Rs 20,422 crores (as on 31.03.2024) with presence in FMCG, Hotels, Packaging, Paperboards & Specialty Papers, Agri & IT Businesses. ITC-ABD is one of India's largest integrated agri business enterprises with significant presence across every node of the agri value chain.

ANDRII INSHYN

CEO

PE Natur Svit

About: Andrii Inshyn is the owner of NATUR SVIT, a prominent group of companies specializing in the processing of coriander and mustard seeds in Ukraine. With extensive expertise in the spice and agro-processing industry, he has played a key role in positioning NATUR SVIT as a leading supplier of high-quality spice ingredients. Under his leadership, the company has established a strong reputation for excellence in sourcing, processing, and exporting premium coriander and mustard seeds to international markets. Andrii's deep understanding of agricultural commodities, coupled with his strategic vision, has enabled NATUR SVIT to maintain high product standards while expanding its global footprint. His commitment to innovation and sustainable sourcing practices has been instrumental in strengthening Ukraine’s presence in the global spice trade. A respected industry leader, Andrii actively engages in market development initiatives, fostering partnerships that drive growth and efficiency in the spice processing sector.

Company Details: PE NATUR SVIT is leading Ukrainian processor of Ukrainian origin spices. Company certified of FSSC 22000, HALAL, KOSHER, SEDEX Member, FDA approved facility. Our strategical approach includes breeding of new varieties of Ukrainian spices, contract farming program, open book policy with all our partners and customers, building up long, strong, confident and sustainable cooperation. Our products are pesticides and allergen free, fully metal detected and steam treated. Ukrainian spices: Coriander seed whole, crushed and finely ground steam treated. Fennel whole, crushed and ground steam treated. Dill seeds whole, crushed, and ground steam treated. Caraway whole, crushed, ground steam treated.

BENOIT WINSTEL

President - ESA & Director

COLIN INGREDIENTS

About: Benoit Winstel Mr. Benoit Winstel is an agronomist specialized in tropical crops. He holds a Master of Science degree in Postharvest Technologies from Cranfield University, UK. Mr. Benoit Winstel have been working in the food industry since 1994. After 3 years in Morocco as a factory Manager producing dried vegetables, he became the in charge of the Purchasing Department of Groupe Colin, a French Company specialized in spices and dried ingredients for the European food industry (www.colin-ingredients.com). Mr. Benoit Winstel is currently the Director of the Company and President of European Spice Association.

Company Details: Colin Ingredients and its sister company Diafood specialized in dry ingredients for the food industry. We are providing vegetal material (herbs, spices, vegetables, mushrooms and fruits), taylor made natural flavors and aromas, and functional blends to the most demanding customers. Both conventional and organic. We are located in France and Germany and we are running 2 state-of-the art factories where we do reprocessing, blending and packing. Apart from being FSSC22000 certified, we are strictly following the EU and French regulation in regards to compliancy.

Bhavik Desai

Business Head

INDIAN PRODUCTS PVT. LTD.

About: Bhavik Desai is an accomplished business leader at Jayanti with over 14 years of experience in the herbs and spice industry. A natural trader, he has consistently demonstrated a keen intuition for market trends and an ability to build strong business relationships across global markets. Bhavik started his career by spending a considerable amount of time immersed in the operations of Jayanti’s processing units in India and Turkey. This hands-on experience provided him with an in-depth understanding of the production, quality control, and logistical nuances that are key to the business. Building on this expertise, Bhavik moved to Switzerland, where he served as the Regional Head. During his tenure there, he played an instrumental role in expanding the company’s footprint across Europe, forging strong relationships with suppliers and customers, and driving business growth in competitive markets. His leadership in this role was marked by a commitment to operational excellence, strategic expansion, and market diversification. Currently based in the UAE, Bhavik serves as the Business Head at Jayanti. His leadership has been key in overseeing international trade strategies, optimizing supply chains. With a profound expertise in international trade and a passion for sustainability and quality, Bhavik remains dedicated to expanding the Jayanti’s market presence. His deep domain knowledge, combined with his natural ability to trade and negotiate, positions him as a respected leader in the industry.

Company Details: The business of Spice makes us global. We believe farm-to-fork quality management is the way forward for Food Industry.We are specialist processors tending to provenance plantations in India, Vietnam, and Turkey through backward integration programs guaranteeing food safety, authenticity, sustainability and traceability from farm to fork. The intrinsic qualities of the real food flavours are preserved and delivered in a variety of packaging formats conforming to the international code of practices of global retail brands.

Bibin Mathews

COO,Co-founder

GROWCOMS PVT. LTD

About: Bibin Mathews serves as the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Growcoms Pvt Ltd, a prominent player in the agriculture technology sector. With a solid background in agricultural and food processing industries, he oversees daily operations, implements streamlined processes, and ensures the delivery of innovative solutions. His leadership has led to a remarkable 35% annual revenue growth and key partnerships within the industry. Previously, Bibin enhanced market reach and sales at AB Mauri India Pvt Ltd and improved operational efficiency at Jayanti Herbs & Spice. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Calicut, and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Management from the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore. Bibin's strategic acumen and industry expertise have earned Growcoms multiple accolades, including 'Best Agritech Startup of the Year' and recognition for 'Innovation in Precision Farming,' solidifying his reputation as a pivotal figure in advancing the agriculture and food processing landscape.

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. Our team of 60 professionals is dedicated to revolutionizing the agri-commodity sector.

Christiaan de Leeuw

Manager - NFPP

Nedspice EMEA BV

About: As global sustainability lead for Nedspice, Christiaan emphasizes the importance of sustainable farming practices and the support for smallholder farmers, to enable them to earn a fair income. Starting as data analyst for Nedspice five 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.

Mr Deepak Pareek

Managing Director

HnyB Tech-Incubations Pvt Ltd

About: Deepak Pareek is a distinguished technocrat and global influencer in agriculture and food technology, recognized as a Top 10 Agropreneur by Future Agro Challenge and a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum. With extensive experience across 34 countries, he specializes in digital transformation, agricultural policy, and sustainable practices. Deepak advises technology companies on Big Data, AI, and IoT applications. A sought-after speaker at major international forums, he also serves on advisory boards for AgTech incubators. As the founder of HnyB, he drives innovation at the intersection of agriculture and technology, enhancing farmer productivity and sustainability.

Deniz Sensoy

General Manager Herbs&Spices

European Spice Services NV

About: Deniz Sensoy is currently the General Manager - Herbs and Spices and Global Business Development, at European Spice Services NV, Belgium. Deniz has over 20 years of expertise in Herbs & Spice industry. His strong understanding of commercial, technical and organizational factors combined with strong communication and interpersonal skills, enables Deniz Sensoy to effectively lead and manage complex projects. Deniz has graduated in Economics and has a degree in Sales & Marketing from UCLA (University of California Los Angeles).

Donald Pratt

Chief Procurement Officer

McCormick and Company Inc.

About: Donald Pratt serves as McCormick's Chief Procurement Officer, pivotal in advancing strategic procurement excellence. He focuses on optimizing cost, value, and risk while overseeing global supplier relationships, ensuring supply chain resilience, and promoting digital transformation for enhanced efficiency. As an executive team member, he influences business strategy, fosters innovation, and builds a high-performance procurement organization aimed at sustaining competitive advantage and long-term growth. Previously, he was Managing Director of McCormick Global Ingredients Limited and has also held various roles in Engineering, Supply Chain, and Global Procurement at Unilever, Imperial Chemical Industries, and Givaudan. Mr. Pratt holds an L4 degree in Electrical Engineering from the City and Guilds Institute of London, is CPSM-certified by the Institute for Supply Management and seats on the board of The American Spice Trade Association.

Company Details: McCormick is a global leader in flavor operating in two segments across 170 countries and territories. With compelling offerings for every retail and customer strategy, our iconic brands have leading share positions in many of our markets.

Emmanuel Nambusseril

Chairman - AISEF & Chief Marketing Officer

AKAY NATURAL INGREDIENTS PVT.LTD.

Company Details: AKAY (part of Oterra group) is a full range manufacturer and exporter of spices, oleoresins, essential oils, natural antioxidants, liquid blends & seasonings. The saga of Akay began in the year 1995. AKAY also offers a wide range of innovative and standardized botanical extracts. Conquering the art of extraction and formulation of spices, AKAY won the position of a global preference of the food, beverage & nutraceutical manufacturers for the purest form of natural oleoresins, essential oils, antioxidants, phytonutrients, microencapsulated and supercritical CO2 extracts.

Dr Frank Schütt

Director

GBA Gesellschaft für Bioanalytk

Dr. Geemon Korah

CEO

MANE KANCOR INGREDIENTS PRIVATE LIMITED

About: Dr. Geemon Korah, the Executive Director and CEO of Mane Kancor, has been instrumental in the company's growth since joining in 1994. With a background in Agriculture and Business Management, he earned a Doctorate in Business Administration and completed executive courses at renowned institutions including Harvard Business School. Under his leadership since 2006, Mane Kancor has experienced 20-fold growth and established itself as a respected player in the naturals segment, including a significant joint venture with V Mane Fils of France. Dr. Korah's expertise spans three decades in the spices and flavours industry, and he is actively involved in numerous industry organizations, serving in leadership roles such as Vice Chair of IFEAT and Chair of the Flavours Committee of FAFAI. His contributions have earned him multiple accolades, including 'Business Professional of the Year 2021' and 'CEO of the year 2022'.

Company Details: Mane Kancor, a pioneer in the field of Global Spice Extraction, was established in 1969. The organisation's roots can be traced back to 1857. We specialise in innovative ingredients and solutions, creating sustainable value for our stakeholders. Our solutions include a wide range of Oleoresins, Essential Oils, Natural Antioxidants, Natural Colours, Culinary Ingredients, Organic Ingredients, Spices & Blends. Every product adheres to global standards and certification. With a presence in over 80 countries and regional distribution centres across the world, we strive for excellence and customer delight through innovation, technology, and agility in everything we do.

ROSE CELTIK

EUROPEAN SALES DIRECTOR

KUTAS FOOD GROUP

About: With over a decade of experience in the food industry, Gulbahar specializes in agricultural food products, with a particular focus on herbs and spices. She oversees sales operations across Europe, the UK, and Asia, leveraging her deep understanding of market trends, customer needs, and the cultural dynamics of these regions. She is very passionate about food, nature, sustainability, and innovation.

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

Jagjeet Kandal

Country Director, IDH India

IDH

Company Details: IDH convenes companies, CSOs, governments and others in public-private partnerships. Together we drive the joint design, co-funding and prototyping of new economically viable approaches to realize green & inclusive growth at scale in commodity sectors and sourcing areas. Our approaches are designed to drive sustainability from niche to norm in mainstream markets, delivering impact on Sustainable Development Goals. We focus on creating positive impact on production practices, regenerative agriculture, deforestation, living incomes and living wages, working conditions, gender inclusion and equality.

Jayakrishnan Nair

Spice Commodity Director

McCormick Global Ingredients Limited

Company Details: The commodity buying arm of McCormick Inc.

Juliano Camara

Managing Director

COREIMEX Representacoes Ltda.

About: Juliano Camara is Managing Director and founder of The Brazilian Brokerage House COREIMEX Representações Ltda. Besides the brokerage business, in the last years the Mr. Camara is also focusing on the consultancy segment whereby represents multinational corporations for their procurement and sale’s purposes of products he is specialized. Extremely good understanding of the technicalities of the business, statistics and market analysis is his strength in the business. Mr. Camara is fluent in Portuguese, English and Spanish, has lived, studied and worked in USA, Germany and in The Netherlands, has Bachelor's Degree in Business Management with Specialization in Foreign by Faculdade Integrada do Ceará and has Master's Degree in Economics by Federal University of Ceara with the dissertation titled “Analysis of exports competitiveness of pepper from Pará state and Brazil in the period between 1997 to 2007 and its trade prospects". For over 20 years, Mr. Camara has worked in the spice sector as commodity broker for multinationals organizations in Brazil as well as in Europe. He was a speaker at many important conferences like Espírito Santo Pepper Workshop, IPC (International Pepper Community), EXPOFAC (Exhibition and Agricultural Fair of Castanhal) - Brazilian Pepper International Market, National Black Pepper Forum, Brazil. He worked together with the headquarter of MAPA (Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply) in the Capital Brasília, as well as with ESA (European Spice Association) and EU commission to revert on the situation of Import controls on black pepper from Brazil into Europe.

Company Details: One of the Most Traditional Spices and Nuts Brokerage House from Brazil. The company is specialized in Black, White, Green and Pink Pepper, Cloves, Allspice, Cashews, Brazil Nuts and other Spices and Nuts.

Mr Kiruba Shankar

CEO

Business Blogging Pvt Ltd

About: Kiruba Shankar is CEO of Business Blogging & founder Director of F5ive Technologies. He has 24 years of work experience in the Internet space and helps craft digital strategies for large firms. He has consulted for leading brands such as British Council, Dominos Pizza, Murugappa Group, Mahindra Group, Sterling Holidays, Larsen & Toubro and The Hindu Newspaper Group. Kiruba is the President of the Professional Speakers Association. As a global professional speaker specializing in Digital Excellence and Digital Selling, he has delivered over 700 talks at conferences and corporate events across 21 countries. More about him as a speaker at www.Kiruba.Pro. He has authored five books and has been a technology columnist for newspapers such as Business Standard, Financial Express and The New Indian Express. Kiruba has been teaching for 18 years and is a Professor of Digital Marketing. He has taught at leading B-Schools. In the weekends, Kiruba heads to his village where he passionately pursues organic farming at Vaksana Farms, his 13 acre farm.

KRISHNA KUMAR

DIRECTOR -SUSTAINABLE SOURCING

TEROVA Inc.

About: Krishna Kumar Menon, better known to us as KK, is the Director of Sustainable Sourcing at Terova. A Post Graduate in Agricultural Sciences Krishna Kumar started his career in the Tea and Coffee plantations of South India. He has since spent over two decades in the realm of sourcing Spices and Herbs. KK now drives the Terova purpose of sourcing Safe, Traceable and Sustainably Certified Spices and herbs from over thousands of farmers from various origins.

Company Details: With a legacy of over 100years, Griffith Foods is engaged in creating food solutions for customers all over the world by blending care and creativity to nourish the world.

Dr Krishna M Ella

Executive Chairman

Bharat Biotech International Limited

About: Dr. Krishna Ella is a leading scientist and entrepreneur in the field of vaccines and food. Born in Tamil Nadu, he moved to the US for his Ph.D., from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and spent over 14 years in teaching and research. Dr. Ella returned to India in 1996 to establish Bharat Biotech with a vision to lead innovation in public health in India. Dr. Ella’s work spans three main verticals: Human Vaccines (Bharat Biotech, Chiron Behring Vaccines), Veterinary Vaccines (Biovet in Bangalore and Pune), and Food (Ella Foods, Innova Agri Bio Park). He is currently focussed on establishing one of the India’s largest vaccine manufacturing facilities in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, with an investment of over INR 1,500 crore. Today, Bharat Biotech, with 433 patents filed and over 220 granted patents, has successfully developed 20 lifesaving vaccines while delivering over 9 billion vaccines in more than 125 developing countries. Dr. Ella spearheaded the development of several innovative vaccines, including ROTAVAC® for Rotavirus, Typbar TCV®—the world’s first Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine and India’s first new molecule, COVAXIN®—India's first indigenous COVID-19 vaccine, and iNCOVACC®, the world’s first intranasal COVID-19 vaccine. In August 2024, Dr Ella launched HILLCHOL®, a novel singlestrain oral cholera vaccine. Dr Ella is the first one to develop Zika & Chikungunya vaccines in the world which are currently in the clinical trial phase. Bharat Biotech houses the world’s first BSL-3 production facility, while Biovet operates three BSL- 3+Ag facilities and three large animal challenge facilities. Dr. Ella contributes to shaping India’s policies on science, research and innovation in various capacities through more than 15 Government of India committees and university bodies. Dr Ella is a recipient of numerous national & international awards and six honorary degrees, including one from the University of Wisconsin- Madison, USA. Dr Ella, this year, was honoured with the Dean’s medal from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. In 2022, he received the Padma Bhushan, the Republic of India’s third-highest civilian award, for his incomparable contributions to society and industry.

KS.THYAGARAJAN

Head - Corporate Affairs

PI Industries

Company Details: PI industries is a leading Indian Agri input company and has global operations.

Laura Shumow

Ex-Officio

American Spice Trade Association

About: Laura Shumow is the Executive Director of the American Spice Trade Association (ASTA), a position she has held since 2018. In this role, she collaborates with the ASTA Board of Directors to set the strategic direction of the association and leads a dedicated team in advancing the organization's mission. She plays a critical role in advocacy efforts, shaping regulatory policies, and strengthening global trade opportunities for the spice industry. Laura has extensive experience in domestic and international regulatory advocacy, with a strong track record of successfully addressing challenges in global food ingredient supply chains. Prior to joining ASTA, she served as Vice President of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs at the National Confectioners Association, where she also oversaw the Chocolate Council, a leadership body addressing industry-specific issues in cocoa and chocolate. She holds a Master of Health Sciences from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a Bachelor's degree in Food Science from the University of Wisconsin. An active leader in the food industry, Laura currently serves as Chair of the Food and Beverage Issue Alliance and has held leadership positions within the Institute of Food Technologists, including Past President of the DC Division and Past Chair of the Food Laws and Regulations Section.

Company Details: For over a century, the American Spice Trade Association (ASTA) has been the leading voice of the U.S. spice industry. We represent a diverse range of industry players, from spice growers and processors to importers and researchers. Our top priority is ensuring the supply of pure, safe spice to American consumers. As an organization, we are committed to delivering insight, fostering collaboration, and working to shape public policy on behalf of the global industry.

Mike Liu

President - China Spice Association & Chairman

BC Foods

Company Details: BCFoods is a global company that offers a wide range of high quality dehydrated vegetables, spices and aromatic herbs. Our global network of production and distribution centers allows us to deliver high quality products at the most competitive prices throughout the year

MSA Kumar

Advisor- AISEF & Chief Catalyst

Catalyst 360

About: Mr. Kumar, a Post Graduate in Management from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA), has over 40 years of diverse industry experience in functions such as Sales, Product Management, Marketing, and General Management. His career included significant roles with companies like Sandoz, Bayer, Shaw Wallace, and AV Thomas Group until his retirement in 2015. Post-retirement, Kumar established a professional advisory service specializing in Family Business Management and CEO Coaching, holding certification from the Coaching Foundation of India. His expertise encompasses Governance, Professionalization, Succession Planning, and Next Generation integration into Family Business. Kumar has also held prominent leadership positions, including Chairman of CII Kerala, Chairman of AISEF, and President of TiE Kerala.

Company Details: Family Business Advisory and CEO Coaching

Murtuza Badami

Director

MURTUZA FOODS PVT. LTD

About: Mr. Murtuza Badami is the Managing Director of Murtuza Foods Pvt. Ltd., a Visionary Entrepreneur with nearly 20 years of Expertise in the Dehydrated Onion and Garlic Industry. Based in Mahuva, Gujarat, Mr. Badami’s Entrepreneurial Journey began during his School Years, driven by a Passion for Innovation and Excellence. Under his leadership, Murtuza Foods has transformed Mahuva, Gujarat, into a global hub for High-Quality Dehydrated Products, attracting International Buyers and expanding its presence in the Global Market. Renowned for his Commitment to Quality, Mr. Badami has redefined Industry Standards by introducing Advanced Processing Techniques that ensure Superior Products meeting Global Demands. His Innovative approach has positioned Murtuza Foods as a Leader in the Industry. Through his Dedication to Sustainability, Quality, Infrastructure and Global Competitiveness, Mr. Badami continues to Shape the Future of the Industry, making a significant impact both Locally and Internationally.

Company Details: Established Since 1992, Murtuza Foods Pvt. Ltd. has been a Leading Best Quality Processors Specialized in Dehydrated Onion-Garlic, Fried Onion-Garlic, Spices & Seeds to Food Industries Worldwide. Our Factories are State of Art BRC-“A”-Grade Certified which can Meet the Most Challenging Customer’s Specification by Processing the Right Raw Material with its Latest Technology-Equipment’s, Hi-Tech Monitoring-Systems, Qualified-Persons & Verified with its In-House as well as External-Laboratories. Over-the-years,-As-a-fourth generation-in-family-business-Murtuza-Foods-Pvt.Ltd.-has-been-able-to-establish-a-strong-position-in-the-food-ingredients-business-owing-to-a-stable-foundation-built-on-the-following-attributes: • Strong customer relationships • Dedicated and responsive customer support • Innovative Research and Development programmes • Fully integrated manufacturing processes • Proficient and vibrant team · International food certifications

NISHESH SHAH

Vice Chairman - AISEF & Managing Partner

UNIVERSAL OLEORESINS

Company Details: At Universal Oleoresins, we've been a trusted name in the industry since 1981. We are one of the leading manufacturers of Spice Oils, Spice Oleoresins, Natural Colors, & Anti Oxidants. We've exported to over 40 countries and served 1,500+ clients worldwide, What makes us stand out is our dedication to transparency and value.

NITIN BANSAL

SENIOR VICE - PRESIDENT

OLAM AGRO INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

About: Nitin Joined Olam in 2007 and was managing Olam’s business in Edible Nuts, Beans and Spices in China. In 2014 he moved to Vietnam to lead ofi’s Spices business. In his current role, as Senior VP of ofi Spices, Nitin oversees ofi’s business operations across the APAC region, including Vietnam, India, and China. He is also responsible for Spices sales in the APAC and LATAM markets, as well as managing ofi’s pepper plantations business in Vietnam and Brazil. This email is confidential and may also be privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, please delete it and notify us immediately; you should not copy or use it for any purpose, nor disclose its contents to any other person. The ofi Group Privacy Statement explains how we collect and use personal data and can be found at https://www.ofi.com/privacy.html and has been recently updated as at 1 January 2022.

Company Details: Olam International has been recognised as a champion for inclusive business in the ASEAN agricultural sector at the inaugural AGROW Awards, organised by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC). Created from parent company Olam, olam food ingredients (ofi) is one of the world's largest global suppliers of spices and herbs, sourcing from all the primary growing regions and offering everything from onion, garlic and chilies to pepper, parsley and tropical spices. ofi Spices offer a wide portfolio of sustainable spices and herbs with complete end to end traceability, including organic options.

Olivier Nonneman

COO

European Spice Services

Ms P Hemalatha IAS

Secretary

Spices Board

About: Smt. P. Hemalatha, a 2000 Batch IAS officer under the Karnataka Cadre, has undertaken numerous administrative roles over her 23-year career. Her expertise spans various sectors, having served as Director of the Horticulture and Women & Child Development Departments, and as the Mission Director of the NRLM. Additionally, she was OSD in the Department of Space and served as Secretary, Co-operation Department, Women and Child Development Department, Medical Education Department and Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms. Currently, she is the Development Commissioner of Cochin Special Economic Zone, with an additional appointment as Secretary of the Spices Board.

Pankaj Jaiminy

Managing Director

EUROFINS ANALYTICAL SERVICES INDIA P LTD

About: Dr. Pankaj Jaiminy is the Managing Director of Eurofins Analytical Services India, overseeing the food and environment business lines. With an impressive educational background that includes a Graduate degree in Science, an MBA in International Business, an M. Phil in Management, and a Doctorate in Food Safety, he brings over 23 years of industry experience. Dr. Jaiminy has significantly contributed to the sector by establishing networks for testing laboratories, introducing Asia's first mobile residues testing lab, and developing various auditing and inspection protocols. He has held leadership roles at Merieux NutriScience, TUV SUD South Asia, and Vimta Labs Ltd, and completed auditor trainings for standards such as ISO 22000:2005, GlobalGAP, and OHSAS.

Company Details: Eurofins is the world leading food and feed 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. The Group has built up a global network of food testing laboratories and Competence Centres that perform more than 100 million assays per year to establish the safety, composition, authenticity, origin, traceability and purity of food.

Dr Paresh Shah

Chairman - Sub Committee, Scientific Panel on Pesticide Residues

FSSAI

About: Paresh Shah is a seasoned expert in the field of agricultural chemicals, having dedicated 36 years of his career to the AINP on Pesticide Residues at Anand Agricultural University in Gujarat, India. With a Ph.D. from IARI, New Delhi, he has contributed significantly to the scientific community, authoring over 90 publications in both national and international journals. Currently, he chairs the Scientific Panel on Pesticide Residues at FSSAI in New Delhi, where his insights help shape important food safety regulations. Throughout his career, he has led more than 300 research projects funded by various government and industry partners and has guided 11 postgraduate students in their academic journeys. His expertise has also taken him around the globe, with visits to Taiwan, Japan, and the USA to discuss technical matters.

PARNEET SWANI

DIRECTOR

SWANI SPICE MILLS PVT. LTD

About: Mr. Parneet is the Director at Swani Spice, managing the Customer Relations & Sales for the company with an experience of 22 years. He holds an MBA in International Business & Marketing from UTS, Sydney and recently completed his Owners & President Management Course from Harvard Business School. Parneet has spearheaded the backward integration at Swani Spice from 2005 extending to the top 8 spices & includes the launch of their Smart Faming Agri-Tech platform based in Pune.

Company Details: Manufacturer & Exporter of Spice & Spice Blends

Peter Sayia

Chairman - ASTA & Broker

A.A. Sayia Company Inc

Company Details: Spice Brokers

Dr Poonam Pande

Senior Manager

McCormick and Company

Company Details: McCormick and Company, a global leader in flavor, has been enhancing meals and inspiring culinary creativity for over a century. Founded in 1889, McCormick offers a diverse range of spices, seasonings, and condiments that cater to both home cooks and professional chefs. The companys commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovation has made it a trusted name in kitchens worldwide. McCormick products are crafted with care, ensuring that every meal is flavorful and memorable. With a rich heritage and a forward-thinking approach, McCormick continues to shape the future of flavor.

Prakash

Commercial Director

AB MAURI INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

About: Mr Prakash Namboodiri is an astute professional with over 25 years of experience in Sales management, Business Development, Procurement, Commercial, Strategic management, Supply chain, Logistics and Client Relationship Management in varied industries. An MBA holder in Sales & Marketing with Masters in Tourism and Graduate in Hospitality Management, and Advanced Strategic Management Program from IIM Kozhikode, Prakash is with A .B .Mauri India as Commercial Director – Strategy & Growth. He has held the positions as Chairman of the “All India Spices Exporters Forum” and Vice Chairman of the “World Spice Organization”.

Company Details: xxxcccccc

Dr Ram Kaundinya

Advisor

Federation of Seed Industry of India

About: Ramachandra Kaundinya is an expert in the field of management especially in the business of agriculture. He has a total corporate experience of about 36 years at very senior positions. He is an author, strategic management consultant, teacher and a policy analyst in India. Undergraduate in Agricultural Sciences from the Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University, and Post Graduate Diploma in Management with specialization in Agriculture from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. Worked in Crop Protection industry for 22 years with Hoechst (German company) and Cyanamid (American company). Last assignment as Managing Director of Cyanamid Agro. In seed industry since 2001 – worked with Emergent Genetics (American company) and Advanta (Indian company) as Managing Director. Current positions: Adviser, Federation of Seed Industry of India; Partner, AgVaya LLP and Klorofil Biologics LLP Independent Director on the boards of : Hikal Ltd., Mumbai, NCDEX Institute of Commodity Research (NICR) Mumbai, Kalgudi Digital, Hyderabad, Seed Works International, Hyderabad, T Stanes & Co., Coimbatore Visiting Faculty at: Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, National Academy of Agricultural Research Management, Hyderabad and MANAGE, Hyderabad. He is an angel investor in start ups. Member of two committees formed by Govt of India (Dr Swaminathan Task Force on Biotechnology Policy and Dr RS Paroda’s Committee on Policies and Action Plans for agricultural development) Past positions: Independent Director on the boards of Axis Bank, Axis Finance, Syngenta India and Advanta India Co-authored a book “Agri Input Marketing in India” with Prof Venugopal Pingali of XLRI, Jamshedpur. He co-founded ThinkAg, a not for profit platform to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in food and agri sectors in 2018. (www.thinkag.in). He co-founded Agricollaboratory, a not for profit platform to promote digital public goods in agriculture in 2023. (www.agricollaboratory.com ). He was the Chair of the Hyderabad chapter of a global philanthropic organization called Social Venture Partners (SVP) 2022-24.

RAMKUMAR MENON

Chairman

WORLD SPICE ORGANISATION

About: Ramkumar Menon did his Masters in Economics from Delhi University and brings over thirty eight years experience in the Spice industry. He has worked in different capacities in the corporate world as Head of the Spice Division of M/S Brooke Bond India Ltd and General Manager, International Business Division, M/S Tata Tea Ltd. He has served in key positions of the Industry - as Chairman of the All India Spices Exporters Forum (AISEF) twice, Vice Chairman of Spices Board and Board member of Spices Board of India for nine years. He is currently the Chairman of the World Spice Organisation – a not for profit body created by the Industry for promoting the objectives of Food Safety and Sustainability. He is also the Vice Chairman of the National Committee on Spices Quality and Safety (NCSQS) constituted by Spices Board and a Member of the Management Committee of AISEF.

Company Details: The World Spice Organisation is a collaborative platform that unites all stakeholders in the spice industry—farmers, processors, academics, and end-users. Its mission is to work collectively towards sustainable development.

Ramon Sabater

COO China GM

Ramon Sabater SAU

About: Ramón was born and raised in Murcia, Spain and got his Business Administration degree in the University Carlos III in Madrid, Spain. Ramón joined Sabater Spices Group at the end of 2014 and represents the fourth generation of this family to run the company and founded Qingdao Sabater Spices. Before that, he was a trade officer for the Spanish Government in Shanghai and two years as a China Manager for a big Spanish Beverage Group. Now, he is the COO of Sabater group.

Company Details: We are a solid company dedicated to spices and ingredients for the food industry. Backed by meticulous production facilities and the continuous improvement of our processes, we offer a unique product of the highest quality

Mr Ranjit Kumar R

Managing Director

Pollachi Nutmeg Farmer Producer Company Limited

About: Ranjit holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from Anna University, Chennai, and an MPhil in Micro and Nanotechnology from the University of Cambridge, UK. a recipient of the prestigious Chevening Scholarship from the UK Government, Ranjit brings extensive expertise in mechanical system integration and product design. As the founder of Pollachi Nutmeg Farmer Producer Company, Ranjit is focused on developing a global brand for Pollachi nutmeg and mace. He is also spearheading projects to create value-added products from nutmeg rind, which is typically wasted, providing training to women in rural areas to ensure product uniformity before marketing. His contributions have been recognized with several awards, including the ICAR - IARI Institute Innovative Farmer Award 2025, the Sugandhashree Innovative Farmer Award 2021, and the Velan Chemmal (Best Farmer Award) 2024 from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.

Mr S.P. Kamath

President

The Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Sanjeev Bisht

Vice President- Value Added Agri Products

ITC LIMITED ABD

About: Mr. Sanjeev Bisht is the Vice President - Value Added Products in the Agri Business Division of ITC Limited. He played an instrumental role in setting up the Spices business for ITC from its inception and has since been pivotal in driving its growth. He has been a key architect in setting up the backward integration program for the business, which has played a key role in transforming the business into one of the best in the industry in farmer linkages and sustainability practices. He is part of ITC Agri Business Division Leadership Team, and currently a Managing Committee Member of All India Spice Export Forum and World Spice Organisation. He is driving organizational change through customer centric value chain , capability development, team building and data driven supply chain processes.

Company Details: ITC is one of India's foremost private sector companies with a Gross Revenue of ? 69,446 crores and Net Profit of ? 20,422 crores (as on 31.03.2024) with presence in FMCG, Hotels, Packaging, Paperboards & Specialty Papers, Agri & IT Businesses.

Mr Sanjiv Rangrass

Independent Director - Zetwerk &

Senior Advisor - McKinsey & Co

About: Sanjiv is a seasoned Mentor, Coach, and Angel Investor with extensive experience in business leadership and startup ecosystems. As a Senior Adviser with McKinsey, Independent Director at Zetwerk, and Venture Partner at Capria, he supports early-stage tech startups and global manufacturing. He co-founded TAC (The Agri Collaboratory), an NGO focused on developing digital infrastructure for agriculture. Sanjiv has mentored several successful startups, including Blackbuck, Zetwerk, and Log9, and personally invested in companies like Capillary Technologies and Orange Health. Until June 2022, Sanjiv served as ITC Limited's Group Head for R&D, Sustainability, and Projects. He also led ITC’s Agribusinesses, launching the Echoupal 4.0 platform and driving growth in the Spices business. With over 40 years of experience across multiple domains—production, HR, supply chain, agriculture, and digital—Sanjiv’s expertise is highly valued by both industry leaders and the startup community. He has served on IIM Shillong’s Board of Governors and is an Executive Member of the Pan IIT Council.

Seif Shazly

Deputy CEO

Giza Seeds and Herbs

About: Mr. Seif Shazly serves as the Deputy CEO of Giza Seeds & Herbs, the leading exporter of dried herbs and seeds from Egypt. He has played a pivotal role in the company's significant growth, doubling its business in five years and aiming to triple it in the coming years under the guidance of CEO Mostafa Bedair. Prior to his tenure at Giza, Seif was a Consulting Manager at Bain & Company, providing strategic advice to private equity firms and corporations in Europe and the Middle East on strategy and operational transformations. Actively engaged in the spice and herb industry, he participates in global events that influence industry initiatives and is dedicated to fostering innovation and sustainable growth while addressing the challenges and opportunities in international trade.

Company Details: Giza Seeds & Herbs is the largest & fastest-growing exporter of premium conventional and organic herbs and seeds out of Egypt: #1 market share, 2x growth in last 5 years, only player with BRC AA+ certification and only payer operating its own validated steam sterilization chamber in Egypt.

Ms Sharda Ugra

Sports Journalist

About: Sharda Ugra has been a sports journalist for over 35 years. She started her career with Mumbai tabloid Mid-Day before working with national daily The Hindu, India Today magazine and ESPNcricinfo.com / ESPN India. She has written and spoken about issues around Indian sport in conferences and publications at home and abroad and researched and reported on the role of ethnic minority cricket in England and Australia. She worked with former New Zealand captain John Wright on John Wright’s Indian Summers, his memoirs of his years coaching India and with Yuvraj Singh on The Test of My Life, an account of his diagnosis and recovery from cancer. She was a fellow of the Australia India Institute, University of Melbourne in 2013 and served as a mentee for two years on the International Cricket Council’s 100% Cricket Future Leaders Programmehttps://www.icc-cricket.com/100percentcricket/about She is currently based in Bangalore and continues to works in sport. She is columnist with the Hindustan Times, Delhi and BBC World Service's Hindi website and also contributes the Wisden Almanack, The Week and Frontline magazines, the India Forum and other publications. She had held media training programmes for young athletes across sport and women cricketers for the Go Sports Foundation, with young footballers and elite athletes headed for the Tokyo Olympics for JSW Sport and with Odisha school children as part of the Abhinav Bindra Foundation’s Olympic Values Education Programme. She was invited to be part of the Army Sports Institute’s Symposium in Pune in 2024 and focus on the role of the media and how army athletes can engage with it. She has hosted sports evenings for Procam Sport as part of the Bangalore 10km race for the last two years, the Asia Society’s inaugural Leadership Dialogue and Simply Sport’s anniversary event in 2024. She serves on the advisory board for the Sports And Society Accelerator https://sports-society.org.

Shibu Anandarajan

Chief Procurement Officer

AKAY NATURAL INGREDIENTS PVT.LTD.

Company Details: AKAY (part of Oterra group) is a full range manufacturer and exporter of spices, oleoresins, essential oils, natural antioxidants, liquid blends & seasonings. The saga of Akay began in the year 1995. AKAY also offers a wide range of innovative and standardized botanical extracts. Conquering the art of extraction and formulation of spices, AKAY won the position of a global preference of the food, beverage & nutraceutical manufacturers for the purest form of natural oleoresins, essential oils, antioxidants, phytonutrients, microencapsulated and supercritical CO2 extracts.

Mr Shrivatsa Somany

Head, Bathware

Somany Ceramics

About: Shrivatsa is a avid tech enthusiast. He has completed both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Computer Science from the US. Before working at his family business, he started and sold a med-tech company (Caredose). Today he works at his family business, Somany Ceramics Ltd., with a focus on the Bathware side of the business, including digital transformation across the organization.

Mr Sonam Wangchuk

Engineer, Innovator, Education Reformer

Director, Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh

About: Sonam Wangchuk, born in the trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh, India, is a Mechanical Engineer and a pioneering educational reformer with over 30 years of experience. He founded the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) in 1988 to support Ladakhi youth in an educationally and culturally challenging environment. In 1994, he launched Operation New Hope, a collaborative initiative that improved the local education system, resulting in a significant rise in the matriculation pass rate. Wangchuk's innovative approach extended to creating the SECMOL Alternative School and the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL), where students engage in practical problem-solving while pursuing education. His inventions, such as the Ice Stupa—a sustainable solution to water scarcity—have gained international recognition. Wangchuk’s groundbreaking work in education, architecture, and climate solutions has earned him numerous awards, including the Magsaysay Award, and honorary doctorates from five universities.

Mr Soumen Mahanty

Founder

P T Mahalaya Agri Corp

About: After earning a Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture and an MBA in Agribusiness Management in 2002, Soumen spent five years with Agri Input Corporations in India. He then transitioned to Commodity Futures Exchanges, initially in India and later in Singapore, where he worked between 2007 and 2014. During this time, he played a key role in launching the Global Black Pepper Futures Contract in 2011. In 2014, Soumen co-founded his own spice trading firm with his wife in Singapore. Two years later, in 2016, they established a Spice Cleaning and Processing Facility in Indonesia, focusing on exporting whole spices to global destinations. In his personal life, Soumen has a passion for singing Ghazals and is an advanced scuba diver, often exploring the waters of Southeast Asia.

Stefano Trumpy

ESA - Technical Comission Chairman | Managing Director of Webb James

Webb James srl

Company Details: Webb James is a unique reference in Europe for Herbs, Spices, and Botanicals with worldwide distribution. 200+ years of experience in the world of spice with mastery of processing techniques and state-of-the-art facilities, ensuring an integrated supply chain that starts directly with producers and reaches the professional user in the food industry and packaging sectors. Our comprehensive service covers the entire supply chain—from sourcing of sustainable raw materials at farmers level, through controlled and innovative processing, to the distribution of a wide range of ready-to-use ingredients compliant with European Regulations.

Steve Clemenson

Director Group Operations

NEDSPICE PROCESSING INDIA PVT. LTD

About: Mr. Steve Clemenson is the Group Director of Operations at Nedspice. He currently serves as a board member of the European Spice Association and has previously represented Nedspice on the American Spice Trade Association's Food Safety and Spice Integrity Committees. Mr. Clemenson has also held the role of Technical Chairman at the UK Seasoning and Spice Association, during which he led efforts to produce several industry-recognized technical documents, including the Guidance on Authenticity of Herbs and Spices and the Allergen Risk Assessment Model for Dried Herbs and Spices. Passionate about the spice industry, he consistently seeks to expand his knowledge, especially during visits to spice-growing regions.

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.

Kaul

Busines Head

Olam Vietnam Limited

Company Details: Spices Procesing

Tamas Sarkadi

Chair

Sustainable Spices Initiative

About: With a career spanning over two decades in the food sector, Tamas is the Group Head of Sustainability at Ramon Sabater, a global leader in primary processing of mono-spices – www.sabaterglobal.com. He is responsible for the overall development and implementation of a group-wide sustainability strategy that is coherent with the company’s values, business strategy and model, in close collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. Cultivating an engaging, inclusive, and diverse organizational culture with a high level of sustainability awareness is another focus area. He also serve as the Chair of the Sustainable Spices Initiative (SSI), the foremost sustainability platform driving the transformation of the spice industry – www.sustaiablespicesinitative.org. Passionate about creating positive impact and value across the spice industry and beyond, Tamas actively contributes as the Sustainability Committee Chair at The American Spice Trade Association. His expertise lies in navigating the intricacies of global spice and soft commodity supply chains, addressing the complexities and opportunities they present for sustainability, strategic sourcing, M&A, and supplier & business development. Tamas’ commitment to fostering sustainability is underlined by his academic background, having completed Executive Education in Circular Economy and Sustainability Strategies at Cambridge Judge Business School. Additionally, he hold an Executive MBA from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, empowering him with the knowledge and skills to devise and implement innovative, pragmatic solutions aligned with the vision and business model of the SSI and its members. India has been a strategically important origin for a wide range of spices for centuries. Environmental and societal sustainability challenges represent a significant existential risk, as well as many opportunities for the local spice sector and its actors. Tamas feels that through collaboration, knowledge sharing and the optimal use of our finite resources we can mitigate the risks and grab the opportunities the sustainable transformation of global spice supply chains create.

Company Details: The Sustainable Spices Initiative (SSI), a sector-wide consortium founded in 2012, brings together an international group of companies active within the spices, herbs, dehydrated vegetables, food industries and retail, who are willing to develop a collective strategy and take a leading role towards the sustainable production, processing and global trade of these ingredients. With a rapidly expanding community, SSI has become the leading global sustainability platform of the spice industry, seeking and developing close collaboration with like minded sector initiatives, NGO's and governmental organisations not only in key consumer markets, but at key growing origins as well.

Mr Tanveer S. Uberoi

Director - Mid Market Sales

Google Customer Solutions India

About: Tanveer Singh Uberoi is a media specialist having worked in various multinationals over the last 21 years. He's an engineer and an MBA from the Department of Management Sciences, University of Pune. Tanveer started his career in LG Electronics in 2002 as a Marketing Manager, handling the trade marketing portfolio for LG across multiple geographies. An interest in media prompted him to move organizations and since then he has worked in the Radio, Agencies, Television & Digital industries. In his previous avatar he has worked in organizations such as Fever 104 FM, IMG & Times Television Networks. While at IMG which is amongst the world’s largest Sports Marketing & Entertainment organization he was the Director Sales & worked on multiple sports and entertainment properties such as the IPL, Lakme Fashion Week, various ATP tournaments and football leagues. Prior to Google he served as the Vice President - Branded Content at Times Television Networks(Times Now, ET, Now & Zoom). In his current role at Google as the Director - Sales, he leads Business development. His team at Google works with a number of large businesses, SMEs & digital agencies to assist in their growth, adoption and understanding of the digital ecosystem in India.

Thomas M. Daniel

Chief Procurement Officer

PLANT LIPIDS (P) LIMITED

Company Details: In 1979, Plant Lipids embarked on a visionary journey to redefine the spice industry. Our passion and dedication composed a symphony of innovative products and services that resonated across industries. Committed to personalized customer nurturing, our dynamic team, seasoned with extensive experience, adapts and evolves to meet unique requirements. As our story unfolds, we continue to tailor services with precision, ensuring brilliance across diverse sectors. We aim to sustain and grow a legacy that stands the test of time.