Weekly Trade Information-207

Rising Demand for Ashwagandha and Adaptogen Extracts, Growing Attention to Plant‑Based Health Products

As consumers pay greater attention to stress management, sleep and overall wellness, the adoption of adaptogenic plant extracts such as ashwagandha keeps expanding within the dietary supplement sector. Data shows that the global market for ashwagandha and adaptogen extracts is projected to reach around USD 1.256 billion in 2026 and maintain robust growth momentum.

(Source: Future Market Insights, Ashwagandha & Adaptogen Extracts Market)

Peruvian Anchovy Fishery Nearly Collapses; Fish Oil Prices Surge by 170%! Global Omega‑3 Supply Chain Under Severe Strain

Volatility in fish oil quotations has outpaced any previous cycle. Some suppliers revise spot customer quotes daily, with high‑purity fish oil raw materials jumping 1.2‑ to two‑fold. On August 14, Season A anchovy fishing in north‑central Peru officially closed. Over one year, more than 2 million tons of anchovy raw materials have vanished from the supply chain. To make matters worse, rising seawater temperatures have resulted in smaller‑sized anchovies with depleted fat reserves. While the typical oil yield of anchovies in normal seasons stands at 3%‑3.5%, this season it has dropped to 2.7%‑2.8%.

A triple blow of reduced output, poorer raw‑material quality and soaring prices is hitting the global fish‑oil supply chain simultaneously. Quotations from suppliers of high‑purity fish‑oil raw materials commonly show increases ranging from 1.2‑fold to two‑fold. Price hikes will pass through step‑by‑step from crude oil to finished goods, and price adjustments by end‑product brands are only a matter of time.

(Source: Jinniu Baba Talks)

New Offerings Emerge in Longevity Nutrition Segment

Overseas nutrition brand Solaray launched its UNLIMIT anti‑aging supplement product line this week, featuring eight formulations in total. It highlights popular anti‑aging ingredients including creatine monohydrate, NMN, spermidine, fisetin, and liposomal NAD+.

The series consists of three core complex formulations targeting musculoskeletal care, cellular energy, and antioxidant needs respectively. Products can be taken individually or freely combined to meet consumers’ personalized anti‑aging requirements. Geared toward the middle‑aged and elderly health market, the line adopts high‑purity ingredients and has been rolled out across online and offline channels. It brings new additions to the longevity nutrition track and creates fresh market opportunities for raw material suppliers.

(Source: NutraIngredients)

Mandatory GRAS Notification to Increase Compliance Costs for Overseas Raw‑Material Manufacturers Exporting to the US

This week, the US FDA officially published a proposal to revise the GRAS framework. It plans to transform the current voluntary GRAS safety notification into a mandatory filing system covering food additives and health‑supplement ingredients. Companies are required to submit complete safety‑assessment dossiers for new ingredients for official review, with a review cycle of approximately 180 days. A 120‑day public comment period has been opened for this proposal.

Once implemented, the new rule will end the long‑standing industry practice of self‑determination among North‑American ingredient players. Overseas raw‑material suppliers will face higher compliance costs when exporting to the United States. Chinese nutritional‑ingredient exporters are advised to sort out ingredient documentation in advance, compile supporting safety evidence including toxicological and clinical trial data to align with future filing requirements, and mitigate risks of product detention at ports.

(Source: NutraIngredients)

Container Backlogs, Tight Vessel Space and Rising Freight Costs

Affected by earlier typhoons, partial container backlogs persist at China’s Shanghai and Ningbo ports this week. Vessel space for exports of food additives, probiotics, vitamins and other health‑supplement ingredients bound for Europe has grown tight. Several shipping lines have implemented port omissions and container roll‑overs.

Booking reefer containers for temperature‑sensitive nutritional ingredients has become more difficult. Rounding the Cape of Good Hope remains the prevailing option for Asia‑Europe trades, extending transit time by 8‑12 days, while war‑risk surcharges continue to apply.

Many ingredient exporters have adjusted shipment schedules to secure reefer container space as a priority. They have also strengthened temperature monitoring of cargo to avoid raw‑material deterioration risks during long‑distance ocean transit. Some small‑volume orders are diverted to China‑Europe Railway Express to ease delivery pressure caused by maritime delays.

(Source: Shipping Industry Brief, Haiyunwang)