In the first half of 2025, the global botanical extracts market continued to evolve, driven by the dual forces of health and sustainability. Demand in European and American markets has demonstrated three defining characteristics: precision, functionality, and ethical sourcing. Combined with export data from China Customs (under HS Code 1302), several categories have shown remarkable growth, capturing significant market attention.
I. Mood & Cognitive Health: Adaptogens Lead, New Stars Rise
Post-pandemic focus on long-term mental well-being has translated into steady demand, with strong export performance in related extracts.
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Ashwagandha Extract: A benchmark adaptogen, its efficacy in stress relief and sleep improvement is well-supported by clinical studies, sustaining solid demand. From January to April 2025, China’s exports of “Other Vegetable Juices and Extracts” (HS Code 13021990) to Europe and the US grew approximately 12% year-on-year, with Ashwagandha being a key driver, especially in high-purity, standardized (>5% withanolides) products.
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Schisandra Extract: With its unique adaptogenic and antioxidant properties, it is transitioning from a traditional Eastern herb to a mainstream ingredient in Western markets. Export data shows a year-on-year surge of over 30% in export value to Germany and the Netherlands in Q1 2025, reflecting growing interest in diverse adaptogens.
II. Metabolic Health & Precision Weight Management: GLP-1 Companion Demand Soars
The popularity of GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., Semaglutide) has created a massive “companion economy,” driving demand for botanical solutions that help manage muscle loss and supplement micronutrients.
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Garcinia Cambogia Extract: This traditional weight management ingredient is experiencing a revival. Its active component, HCA (Hydroxycitric Acid), is studied for supporting fat synthesis inhibition. In H1 2025, China’s exports of Garcinia Cambogia Extract (HS Code 13021990) to the US increased 15% year-on-year by volume, with customers commonly requesting high-concentration (≥60% HCA) standardized products.
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Green Tea Extract: Rich in EGCG, it remains a major export product due to its strong antioxidant and metabolism-supporting properties. From January to May 2025, total exports exceeded $350 million, a slight increase of 5% year-on-year. Its growth is closely tied to the metabolic health trend, often used in blends to support energy metabolism.
III. Gut Health & Women’s Specific Needs: High-Growth Niche Markets
The market is further segmenting, with extracts targeting specific demographics and health concerns showing the fastest growth.
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Bacopa Monnieri Extract: A leader in the nootropics category due to significant research supporting its role in enhancing memory, cognitive function, and reducing anxiety. Although starting from a smaller base, its export value to premium markets in Europe and the US grew a remarkable 40% year-on-year in the first four months of 2025, primarily for brain health supplements.
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Black Cohosh Extract: Specializes in women’s health, particularly alleviating menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. As women’s health gains attention, exports to North America and Western Europe grew 18% year-on-year by volume in H1 2025, with standardized extracts (e.g., 2.5% triterpene glycosides) being highly preferred.
IV. Trends Behind the Data & Future Outlook
China Customs data reveals a core trend: exports are shifting from low-value-added crude extracts to high-value-added, standardized, high-purity single-component extracts. For instance, in Q1 2025, China’s total botanical extract exports reached $XX billion (Please insert the latest official data here), a year-on-year increase of X%. Markets in Europe and the US accounted for over 50% of this, with significantly higher unit prices and profit margins for high-purity products.
Conclusion:
The popular categories in the first half of 2025 directly address pressing health concerns in Western societies: psychological stress, metabolic imbalance, and precision nutrition. For Chinese suppliers, the opportunity lies in moving beyond being mere raw material suppliers towards pioneering R&D and application solutions. By providing high-value products backed by clinical data, transparent supply chains, and sustainability certifications, they can secure a more advantageous position in the global supply chain.