Weekly Trade Information-173

Sustainability and Transparent Traceability Become Core Procurement Standards

According to a comprehensive report released this week by global food industry media Food Dive and Nutrition Business Journal, European and American brand owners have significantly raised their requirements for ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) certification of health ingredients.

Purchasers not only focus on conventional certifications such as non-GMO and organic, but also require suppliers to provide detailed carbon footprint data and supply chain traceability information—especially for bulk botanical ingredients like cocoa extract and curcumin.

This has driven raw material suppliers with third-party environmental certifications (e.g., Rainforest Alliance) and blockchain-based traceability technology to secure price premiums and long-term contracts.

Source: Food Dive and Nutrition Business Journal

"Emotional Wellness" Ingredients Gain Popularity in North American Market, with Synchronized Tightening of Regulatory Oversight

According to reports released this week by Nutritional Outlook and Natural Products Insider, adaptogenic botanical extracts (such as ashwagandha and rhodiola rosea) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are witnessing robust demand in North America’s emotional wellness category, driving growth in imports of related raw materials.

In the meantime, Health Canada has officially removed "nicotine" from its Natural Health Products Directory, strictly prohibiting its sale as a dietary supplement. For its part, the U.S. FDA has issued warning letters to multiple dietary supplements containing novel probiotics, emphasizing that these products must first complete the New Dietary Ingredient (NDI) notification process—signaling a continuous tightening of regulatory scrutiny.

Source: Nutritional Outlook and Natural Products Insider

Red Sea Diversion Impact Persists; Carriers Impose Peak Season Surcharges

According to reports released this week by shipping consultancy Alphaliner and the Shanghai Shipping Exchange, major container lines are still generally diverting via the Cape of Good Hope due to the Red Sea situation.

Freight rates on Asia-Mediterranean and Asia-North Europe routes stabilized and rebounded in mid-April after a brief correction, with some carriers announcing the imposition of Peak Season Surcharges (PSS) starting from May.

Capacity remains tight on North America-bound routes, and uncertainties surrounding labor negotiations at U.S. West Coast ports have heightened the risk of supply chain disruptions. Industry insiders advise exporters to advance planning for Q3 stockpiling and prioritize direct shipping services to ensure delivery timeliness.

Source: Alphaliner

Breaking News: Price War Imminent

As Christmas and New Year holidays approach in Europe and the United States, the shipping rush has come to an end. The shipping market has recently entered a slack season, with insufficient cargo pulling momentum to support freight rates.

After a slight increase in the previous period, the latest Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) edged down again, falling 0.39% to 1,397.63 points.

Among the routes, freight rates for the US West Coast and US East Coast routes dropped by 5.02% and 4.65% respectively, erasing most of the gains seen in the first week of December; the Europe route saw a modest $4 decline, barely holding its price level; while the Mediterranean route rose by 3.04%. Container shipping competition is intensifying as carriers scramble for market share, making an imminent freight rate war.

Source: Waitao Si Talks Shipping

Price Trends

• Stevia: The market trend remains stable.
• Sucralose: The sucralose market has started to rebound, with an upward price trend.
• Erythritol: The price trend is on the rise.
• Maltodextrin: The price has remained stable recently.
• Carnitine Series: Factories have implemented a uniform price increase, though a few individual factories are still offering lower quotes.
• Vitamin C: The price stays stable.
• Povidone-Iodine, Potassium Iodide, Sodium Iodide Series: The market is operating steadily.
• Milk Thistle Extract 80UV: The current price is relatively stable.
• Coenzyme Q10: The price trend is stable; factories are open to further negotiations based on our company’s confirmed orders.
• Niacinamide: Market demand is weak, with the price remaining stable.
• Creatine Monohydrate: The price trend is relatively stable and is not expected to see significant changes before the New Year.
• Agar: The market trend stays stable.
• Botanical Extracts: Prices of most products are relatively stable.
• Vitamin B1 HCL: The market is active, with an upward price trend.

Source: Email