Weekly Trade Information-177

Hailed as a "Miracle Herb", This "Natural Antibiotic" Can Also Lower Uric Acid Levels!

Recently, a research paper published in the Journal of Future Foods found that houttuynia cordata, an edible and medicinal substance, can reduce uric acid levels in hyperuricemic mice by regulating uric acid transporters and inhibiting the activity of xanthine oxidase in the liver. This not only lowers the risk of gout, but also demonstrates potential in protecting the kidneys.
Beyond uric acid reduction, houttuynia cordata exhibits remarkable efficacy in anti-aging, anti-inflammation, gastrointestinal protection and immunity enhancement. According to projections from Fact.MR, driven by its powerful anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, the demand for houttuynia cordata products is set to surge, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) exceeding 10% during the forecast period from 2021 to 2031. This growth trend signals increasingly broad application prospects for houttuynia cordata in the field of functional health.

Source: Food Research and Development Alliance (FTA)

Growing Attention on Postbiotic Ingredients

According to a report released this week by Nutra Ingredients-Asia, a leading media outlet in the health ingredients industry, inquiries and purchase intentions for postbiotics (inactivated probiotics and their metabolites) are growing rapidly in the international market.
The core drivers behind this trend lie in the ingredients’ well-defined efficacy claims (such as immune modulation), superior product stability, and relaxed regulatory compliance. They are particularly favored by functional food manufacturers in the EU and North America.
Currently, postbiotic ingredients derived from Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium have become the focal point of the supply chain. A number of Chinese suppliers are accelerating capacity expansion for such ingredients to seize market opportunities.

Source: Nutra Ingredients-Asia

EU Green Deal Drives Demand for Eco-Friendly Additives, U.S. Congress Reviews Dietary Supplement Legislation

According to a report by Food Ingredients First this week, the EU Green Deal and Farm to Fork Strategy are fueling a surge in market demand for plant-based antioxidants (e.g., rosemary extract) and upcycled raw materials (e.g., natural pigments derived from fruit by-products).
Meanwhile, the U.S. Congress has reopened discussions on the modernization reform of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). A mandatory product listing system may be introduced, indicating that the compliance threshold for dietary supplements exported to the U.S. will be further raised, and the industry is facing new changes.

Source: Food Ingredients First

US Tariffs on China May Be Cut by 20%! Already Paid Tariffs Could Be Refundable!

This Friday (January 9th), the U.S. Supreme Court will issue a final ruling on the global tariff policies imposed during the Trump administration. The ruling has attracted widespread attention, especially as it will have far-reaching implications for China-U.S. trade relations, and Chinese enterprises and related industries are closely monitoring the outcome.
The Supreme Court’s ruling will focus on tariff measures introduced under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). For China, the key measures in question are the 10% "fentanyl tariff" and the 10% "reciprocal tariff".
If the measures are ruled unlawful, the additional tariffs imposed by the U.S. on China could be cut by up to 20%. Enterprises that have already paid the relevant tariffs will be eligible to apply to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for tariff refunds, which are estimated to amount to hundreds of billions of U.S. dollars.

Source: Waitsi Talks Shipping

Core Freight Rates on the Rise & New Shipping Route Updates

Europe Route: As of January 5, the Shanghai Export Container Freight Index (SCFI) stood at 1,795.83 points, up 3.1% from the previous period.
West Coast U.S. Route: Driven by expectations of tariff adjustments and port strikes, the spot freight rate for 40-foot containers from Asia to the U.S. West Coast has surged by approximately 50% within a month, reaching around $6,000.
Shanghai Port: Launched the "Thailand Silk Road Express", the first premium route of 2026 covering Southeast Asia, to improve shipping timeliness.
Qingdao Port: Officially opened its first direct shipping route to Australia in 2026 as well.
Source: Shipping News, Shanghai Shipping Exchange