Trend tracker: Thailand, South Korea, and plant-based nutra trends in the spotlight

TCM-infused supplements gaining popularity amid rising demand for plant-based products – Singapore brand​

The rise of veganism is reflected in the plant-based supplements market, says Singapore firm QN Wellness.

Said to have developed the largest range of fully plant-based supplements in Singapore, the firm designs its products using natural ingredients and Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) twist.

Its bestseller is Bone Essential, which is formulated with calcium L-aspartate (amino acid chelated calcium), turmeric and aloe vera. 

What’s trending in Thai nutra space? Conglomerates enter, the power of celebrity, and CBD opportunities​  

Thailand’s nutraceutical market is witnessing an influx of conglomerates entering the space, the engagement of K-pop celebrities in product marketing, as well as a boom in the much-talked about cannabidiol (CBD) business, our exclusive in-depth report reveals.

From big names across the retail, entertainment, and the oil and gas sector, conglomerates across Thailand are taking a greater interest in the health and wellness sector. 

In this series of VitamINSIGHTS, we will shine the spotlight on local conglomerates including Central Retail Corporation, RS Group, and oil and gas firm PTT Public Company.

Opportunity in the Middle East: How Manuka honey and Lingzhi firms are tapping on strong immune, plant-based demands in the Gulf​

APAC companies are tapping on the growing demand for health foods and dietary supplements in the Middle East, as COVID-19 continues to stir consumer interest in health and wellbeing.  

Speaking to NutraIngredients-Asia ​on this episode of Nutrition Asia, the two companies spoke about the market trends and demands that they are seeing from the Middle Eastern consumers.

Both firms had exhibited at Arab Health held in Dubai on January 30 to February 2.

Immune support, alleviating physical fatigue dominated China’s health foods registration approvals last year​

Immune support and alleviating physical fatigue were some of the most common claims made by health foods approved by the China regulators via the registration route last year.

Out of the 421 new health foods approved via the registration route, over half of them (52 per cent) made the single claim of enhancing the immune system.

In China, health foods or dietary supplements containing ingredients not listed in the Health Foods Raw Materials Directory will need to be registered with the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR).

‘Trends are rapidly changing’: South Korea’s health supplements and ingredients imports up 20%​  

South Korea’s import of health supplements and functional ingredients was up 20 per cent between 2021 and 2022, signifying the country’s persistent demand for health foods

The latest data from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS)​ showed that the volume of health supplements and ingredients imported was up from 22,536 tons in 2021 to 27,045 tons last year.

The increase was largely driven by the imports of complex nutrients and individually approved ingredients.