Weekly Trade Information-216

Rice Protein: Potential for Cat Food Development

Among various botanical raw materials, rice enjoys the highest recognition among cat owners. Ninety‑two percent regard rice as a natural ingredient, while 89% believe it delivers health benefits. Incorporating rice protein into cat food creates abundant opportunities for manufacturers. This ingredient is natural, label‑friendly and hypoallergenic with good digestibility and an excellent essential amino acid profile; it helps boost the protein level of finished products.

Rice protein contains the highest level of essential amino acids among plant proteins. A balanced amino acid profile is critical for protein materials used in pet food. For pet food manufacturers looking to add new plant protein options to their ingredient roster, rice protein stands out as a premium, label‑friendly raw material, and it is listed in the EU Feed Materials Catalogue.

(Source: PetFood International)

The New Anti‑Aging Star: “Plant‑Derived Retinol” — Harungana Extract

In anti‑aging ingredients, retinol is widely recognised as the gold standard with proven efficacy. Still, stinging, peeling and redness make it intolerable for many users. This has fuelled rising demand for “plant retinol”. Among these alternatives, Harungana madagascariensis boasts one of the most robust clinical datasets.

Harungana extract is not a more potent retinol, but a gentler retinoid‑like option. Its anti‑aging benefits are well documented for reducing wrinkles, improving firmness, skin elasticity and dermal density. It is not primarily positioned for skin brightening or acne control, making it a compelling candidate for sensitive skin and retinol‑intolerant consumers.

(Source: Zhi Hu Ya)

Heytea × Nissin Cup Noodle, Starbucks Coffee with Potato… Are New Tea Drinks Entering an Era of Heavy Carbs?

Heytea launched its collaboration with Nissin Cup Noodle today, calling on consumers to “have instant noodles at Heytea”. To roll out the new release, store staff have picked up a fresh skill: making noodle servings. Content creator Xia Tian Xiao Chengzi shared that before launch, employees rigorously studied SOPs, repeatedly practiced shaping the noodle‑like pudding and shelling corn to get ready for the noodle offering.

Heytea is not the only brand playing this pudding‑as‑noodle trick. Earlier, Nanjing‑based milk tea chain Hamut partnered with Master Kong to launch a noodle‑cup milk tea. It features egg pudding shaped like noodles, jelly mimicking a fried egg, all served in a milk‑tea broth, drawing crowds of curious shoppers.

Moulding pudding into noodle form subverts consumer preconceptions. Brands capture viral contrast traffic at low cost by blurring the line between beverage and staple food. This playful juxtaposition performs extremely well for image‑driven content on Xiaohongshu and Douyin; visuals grab attention at first glance.

(Source: FBIF Food & Beverage Innovation)

Spring Festival Shipment Peak Is Approaching Again

Before port congestion fully eases, the next shipment rush is on its way. Yang Ming Marine Transport issued a warning alongside its Q3 2026 earnings release: the 2027 Spring Festival falls early on February 6. Pre‑holiday concentrated shipments may trigger renewed port congestion and supply‑chain delays.

For freight forwarders, the biggest challenge is that the pre‑Spring Festival cargo surge could hit a shipping network still in recovery. Unreliable sailing schedules, port queuing and poor transshipment connections mean a breakdown at any link may trap full shipments right within the tight pre‑holiday window.

(Source: 5688)

Cross‑Border Cold Chains Help Fresh Agricultural Products Go Global; Shifts in Global Sugar Supply‑Demand Balance Affect Bulk Raw Material Imports

New developments have emerged in cold‑chain logistics for fresh produce and the trade of bulk food ingredients. The 4th Yunnan Blueberry Conference was held from November 10 to 12. Logistics providers including SF Express jointly released an end‑to‑end cross‑border cold‑chain solution. With temperature‑controlled freshness‑locking technology, the scheme opens up international logistics routes for highland small berries and other fresh agricultural products for domestic distribution and export.

In terms of ocean shipping and trade of bulk commodities, the latest China Agricultural Supply and Demand Situation Analysis released on November 11 notes that weather conditions in major producers such as Brazil and India are likely to create a modest supply shortfall for sugar in the global 2026/27 crushing season, underpinning international sugar prices. Meanwhile, thanks to increased domestic sugarcane output, China’s projected sugar import volume has been revised down by 730,000 tonnes to 4.27 million tonnes.

(Source: Workers’ Daily Online)