Weekly Trade Information-145

The mellow and rich taste of sucralose is very close to that of sucrose. Its sweetness characteristic curve almost overlaps with that of sucrose, and it has no bitter taste at all. It contains low calories, is not easily digested and absorbed [5], and is also less likely to cause dental caries. During the usage process, sucralose will not have other impacts on food. At the same time, it can also mask unpleasant tastes such as bitterness. It can be used alone or mixed with other sweeteners. Sucralose is easily soluble in water and does not foam during the dissolution process.

Sucralose is very stable. It can be stored for 4 years in a dry environment at room temperature. In an aqueous solution with a low pH value, it will not change even after being stored for one year.

The safety of sucralose is very outstanding. In the mid-1980s, it was evaluated by an international safety team, and it was confirmed to be safe for a wide range of applications. It is harmless to fish and aquatic organisms and can be biodegraded. After conducting several environmental and safety studies, the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) determined the acceptable daily intake (ADI) to be 15 milligrams per kilogram in 1990.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract: Ginkgo biloba leaf extract is applied in many markets around the world, especially in Europe and the United States. In recent years, it has been increasingly used in functional foods in Japan. Ginkgo biloba leaf extract contains a variety of components, among which ginkgo flavonoid glycosides and ginkgolides are widely applied and often appear in the formulations of cognitive health products. Currently, ginkgo biloba leaf extract has become a mainstream ingredient in the formulations of cognitive health products in Japan, especially for products targeting the middle-aged and elderly population. It is reported that many brands such as Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, Fuji Pharmaceutical, Meiji Pharmaceutical, Fancl, DHC, Orihiro, Noguchi Medical Research Institute, etc. have developed related products.

From the perspective of the market, ginkgo biloba leaf extract can be applied alone or compounded with other ingredients. For example, Fuji Pharmaceutical launched this functional labeled food with a single ingredient of ginkgo biloba leaf extract, mainly targeting the middle-aged and elderly population, and the product dosage form is tablets.

(Source: Zhi Guan Qiao)

According to the forecast of Market Research Future, the global market size of functional foods (such as probiotic snacks and high-protein meal replacements) will reach $412 billion in 2025, with an annual growth rate of 12.3%. The growth is driven by consumers' demand for immune enhancement and gut health, and the Asia-Pacific region has become the largest market. The report points out that clean labels (without additives) and sustainable packaging will be the core of future product competition.

(Source: Market Research Future's "Functional Food Industry Report")

IFBH is a Thailand-based, rapidly growing ready-to-drink beverage and ready-to-eat food company.

The if brand, founded by the company in 2013, is a pioneer in introducing ready-to-drink natural coconut water to the Chinese mainland (the company's largest market). In addition to the Chinese mainland, the company's products are also very popular among consumers in global markets including Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan.

Since 2020, the company has ranked first in the coconut water beverage market on the Chinese mainland for five consecutive years. In 2024, its market share was approximately 34%, more than seven times that of its second-largest competitor.

According to the same source, IFBH is the number one in the coconut water beverage market in Hong Kong. Since 2016, the company has ranked first in the coconut water-related market in Hong Kong for nine consecutive years. In 2024, its market share was approximately 60%, more than seven times that of its second-largest competitor. The company is the world's second-largest coconut water beverage company and was also the second-largest company in the global coconut water beverage market in 2024.

The ready-to-drink soft drink market in the Greater China region has huge growth potential. It is expected to increase from US$1.093 billion in 2024 to US$2.652 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate of 19.4%.

(Source: Unicorn Early Insights)