Aiming high: GNC China sees huge growth potential in demand for high purity fish oil as consumer education matures

While the overall fish oil market in China might only see a slight increase, GNC China believes that demand for high quality fish oil will grow rapidly.

This was also why the company launched GNC 97% high purity fish oil earlier this year, which is said to be an addition to the “middle level” ​products that the firm has been offering.

“The growth of the fish oil omega-3 market in China has been significantly boosted by the national promotion efforts​, which means consumer education is quite mature.​

“GNC China used to offer the 'middle level fish oil' products, but we think that based on the rate of market growth and increased understanding of fish oil omega-3 among the China consumers, better products and high purity fish oil will be the trend in China,” ​said supply chain director Anson Cao.

Cao notices that much of the fish oil omega-3 consumption in China is driven by concerns around elevated blood lipids levels, cardiovascular, and brain health. 

GNC 97% high purity fish oil took home the Product of the Year (Omega-3) in this year’s NutraIngredients-Asia Awards, where it was competing against Nlize’s MAG Omega3 and WHC Labs’ UnoCardio Chewy for the win. 

Each batch of the products – from the raw materials to the finished products – are certified by the International Fish Oil Standards (IFOS).

Cao said that the product was developed specifically for China by the local R&D team and that the award was a big encouragement to the team.

“This award is a big encouragement for us to keep following this approach​,” ​he said, adding that new product development might explore complex formulations and plant-based omega-3. 

Watch the video to find out more.