Weekly Trade Information-206

Creatine Market Gains Traction on Rising Demand for Sports‑Nutrition Products

Fueled by the growing fitness population and wider consumption of sports‑nutrition goods, demand for creatine in sports supplements, functional nutrition and related formulations keeps rising. Meanwhile, as a key production and supply hub for creatine, China maintains robust export‑market demand.

(Source: Grand View Research *Creatine‑ Sports Nutrition Market Statistics)

Carrageenan Market Grows Steadily with Expanding Applications of Natural Hydrocolloids

Driven by rising demand for thickening, gelling and stabilizing functions across dairy products, plant‑based foods, processed meat and beverages, the application scope of food‑grade carrageenan has been further broadened. Meanwhile, growing consumer interest in naturally‑sourced and plant‑based ingredients has unlocked new growth opportunities for the carrageenan market.

(Source: IMARC Group *Carrageenan Market Report)
 

Lanolin‑Free Fermented Plant‑Based Vitamin D3

This week, a domestic raw‑material manufacturer launched a new fermented plant‑based Vitamin D3. Produced via lanolin‑free bio‑fermentation technology, it caters to vegan and organic dietary supplement segments.

Compliant with domestic and international standards for dietary‑supplement ingredients, the product can be formulated into gummies, powders, tablets and other dosage forms. It meets overseas brands’ procurement requirements for clean‑label specifications and avoidance of animal‑derived components.

Compared with the traditional lanolin‑extraction process, the fermented variant delivers more stable control over heavy metals and impurities, with a complete traceability chain for raw materials. As the global vegan‑nutrition market expands, a host of natural functional ingredients are undergoing iterative upgrades. Ingredient suppliers also provide supporting application solutions to help brands streamline formulations and ease compliance‑review pressures for export markets.

(Source: Plant Extract Bridge)
 

Vitamin‑C Content 50 Times Higher Than Oranges! A South‑American Rainforest "Superfood" for Fat Loss and Liver Protection

Camu‑camu (Myrciaria dubia) is a small tree native to the Amazon River basin. Belonging to the Myrtaceae family alongside guava, its fruit features reddish‑purple skin and a grape‑like appearance. The fruit varies from tart to sweet, with its sharp sourness mainly coming from vitamin C. Fresh camu‑camu contains 2%‑3% vitamin C by weight, roughly 40‑60 times that of citrus fruits, earning it the reputation of a “vitamin‑C powerhouse”.

Recognised as a superfood for its exceptionally high vitamin‑C levels, camu‑camu is widely used to support immune function and mitigate inflammation. Beyond vitamin C, it is rich in anthocyanins, polyphenols and flavonoids. It also supplies minerals including potassium, iron, calcium and phosphorus, as well as amino acids such as serine, valine and leucine.

Synergistic effects of its diverse bioactive compounds deliver multiple health benefits including anti‑obesity, antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory properties. A study from Université Laval in Canada found that three‑month supplementation with camu‑camu powder reduced liver fat by 7.43%.

(Source: FTA Food Research Hub)
 

Freight Rate Hikes Spread: Middle East, South America and Africa Are Not Spared

In the first half of the year, rate increases successively hit the US West, Europe and Southeast Asia trade lanes. After the market gradually absorbed the hikes on major routes, upward momentum did not subside; instead, it spread to the Middle East, South America and Africa.

Following Red Sea rerouting, large volumes of cargo are transshipped via the Middle East. Ports of Dubai and Jeddah have evolved beyond mere transit points and become cargo hubs for goods bound for Europe and Africa. Higher port throughput has brought congestion and surcharges in its wake.

As long as the Red‑Sea situation remains unresolved, shipping lines will keep factoring a “risk premium” into freight rates. Rates for these lanes already embed a risk‑related surcharge, which tends to surge further during peak seasons.

China‑South America trade volume keeps climbing, with notable cargo growth on routes to Brazil, Chile and Peru. Vessel capacity for South America has long been siphoned off by Europe and US trades, resulting in limited supply flexibility.

(Source: Hangdi Overseas)