Weekly Trade Information-167

Private Labels Surpass Coca-Cola and McDonald’s in Sales — How Do Global Retailers Turn Private Labels into “Big Brands”?

According to the China Private Label Development Research Report (2024–2025), the median share of private-label sales among retailers is 10%, with nearly 60% of retailers reporting shares at or below 10%. However, private labels still face image challenges such as low recognition, inconsistent quality, and plain packaging.

In contrast, major overseas retailers’ private labels have evolved over decades from “cheap alternatives” to strong brands in their own right.

Research firm Numerator found that in the 12 months ending September 30, 2025, private-label products accounted for three-quarters of total sales at Trader Joe’s and Aldi, and over 25% at Costco, Sam’s Club, Walmart, and Kroger.

(Source: FOODTALKS)

Price Trends

• Stevia: Market remains stable.

• Sucralose: Channel prices are trending downward.

• Erythritol: Overall stable; real order prices can be negotiated lower.

• Maltodextrin: Prices declining due to falling raw material costs and sluggish market demand.

• L-Carnitine Series: Production resumed; prices stable.

• Vitamin C: Price hikes difficult; inconsistent quotations across factories, chaotic market.

• Povidone-Iodine, Potassium Iodide, Sodium Iodide Series: Stable.

• Silymarin Extract (80UV): Prices relatively steady.

(Source: Email)

Extend Life by 20%! This Flavonol Glycoside Can Improve Sleep and Brain Health

Hyperoside significantly extends the lifespan of C. elegans (by 19.97%) and improves brain health. It exhibits a wide range of biological activities including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antidepressant, and organ-protective effects. Hyperoside can modulate multiple signaling pathways, metabolic processes, cytokines, and kinases. It promotes upregulation of monoamine neurotransmitters and increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels, producing antidepressant effects. Moreover, it suppresses oxidative stress, alleviates inflammation, and prevents apoptosis, thereby reducing brain and neuron damage caused by ischemia-reperfusion, and improves motor function, spatial memory, and learning ability in Alzheimer’s mice.

(Source: Food Research Association FTA)

Lemon Republic Launches China’s First “Ultra-Sour Factory,” Setting a New Standard for Lemon Beverages

Emerging beverage brand Lemon Republic has officially launched its own lemon juice factory — Sichuan Anyue Lemon Ultra-Sour Biotechnology Co., Ltd. — in Anyue, Sichuan, known as “China’s Lemon Capital.” Covering 5,500 m² and supported by over 10,000 mu of lemon orchards, the factory’s expected annual processing capacity exceeds 10,000 tons.

To preserve maximum flavor, it employs a globally unique full-process cold-pressing technology — lemons are pre-cooled immediately upon washing and cooled within one minute to prevent oxidation during juicing. The resulting NFC cold-pressed juice maintains over 10× more vitamin C and less than 10% loss of natural organic acids and flavonoids compared to conventional methods.

(Source: Food Insider)

Mass U.S. Order Cancellations: Vietnam’s Exports to the U.S. May Drop by $25 Billion Due to Tariffs

According to the UNDP (Sept 18), U.S. tariffs effective from August could reduce Vietnam’s exports to the U.S. by up to $25 billion — the hardest-hit country in Southeast Asia. Overall, Southeast Asia’s exports to the U.S. may decline by 9.7%, with Thailand down 12.7%, Malaysia 10.4%, Indonesia 6.4%, and Singapore 3.8%, the latter less affected due to its service and high-tech re-export focus.

(Source: Overseas Shipping Insights)