The Plant Extract Market Remains Strong Under The Epidemic

"Affected by the epidemic, some raw materials that enhance immunity, such as elderberry, β-glucan, fungus extracts, berberine, and sulforaphane, have attracted attention. In the future, these functional raw materials will have greater Room for growth.” According to Zhang Chengwen, the global immune food supplement market is expected to reach 15.1 billion U.S. dollars in 2020 and 22.5 billion U.S. dollars by 2027, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.8% during the period. Dimensional minerals, probiotics, prebiotics, etc. are already well known to consumers, especially vitamins. It is estimated that these products will reach 8.1 billion US dollars in 2027, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.1%.

Zhang Chengwen, chairman of the Plant Extract Branch of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Medicines and Healthcare, believes that the growth of probiotics and prebiotics has exceeded expectations. Before 2019, the annual growth rate of probiotics is about 5%; in 2019, the global probiotics market value is about 46.2 billion U.S. dollars, and it is expected to reach about 75.9 billion U.S. dollars in 2026; 2020-2026, the compound annual growth rate 7.35%, this growth also exceeded expectations. The growth is mainly due to the impact of the epidemic on the probiotic market, the promotion of probiotics in the Asia-Pacific market, and the continuous innovation in functionality and stability.

The market size of prebiotics is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 11.6% in 2023, reaching US$6.4 billion. The inulin market will continue to dominate the prebiotic market, with sales expected to exceed US$3.22 billion in 2023. Regulations have become the main driving force for the development of the inulin market. It is understood that before 2018, the market size of inulin was 2 billion U.S. dollars, and Europe accounted for 80%. At this time, the United States and China, the two largest consumers in the world, had not yet started; in 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration approved Powder is used as dietary fiber on the label; in 2020, the United States approved the safety certification of Jerusalem artichoke-derived inulin. The development of regulations has greatly promoted the development of inulin in the US market. "At present, inulin, which is approved as a new food raw material in my country, is not suitable for infant products, so what changes will happen to the market in our country will need to be promoted by regulations." Zhang Chengwen said.

Secondly, super fruits are getting more attention. Acai (Acai), also known as Acai, is a tropical fruit distributed in South America. It is also classified as a super fruit because of its high antioxidant activity. "This product was once brilliant, but because it was abused as a weight-loss product in the United States, it was in a state of lukewarmness." According to Zhang Chengwen, under the influence of the epidemic, acai berries are growing at a rapid rate. The berry market will have more than $612 million in consumption growth, with a compound annual growth rate of more than 11.66%.

The rise of acai berry represents a trend that under the influence of the epidemic, people pay great attention to immune products, and pay attention to berries and super fruits that are rich in vitamin C and highly antioxidant, such as acai, elderberry, cranberry, Sea buckthorn and others have responded with great expectations. "The growth of super fruits can be expected in the future." Zhang Chengwen predicted.

In addition, the n-3 derived from chia seeds has increased significantly. The market size of n-3 is expected to grow to USD 16.13 billion in 2023, with a compound annual growth rate of over 7%. The growth of n-3 stems from the positive effects on the immune system, etc. This is also the main driving force for the growth of n-3 during the epidemic.

In addition, Zhang Chengwen believes that plant-based foods will continue to develop. The epidemic will greatly promote the plant-based meat market, which is expected to increase from US$3.6 billion in 2020 to US$4.2 billion in 2021, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.0%. Increasing public health concerns, increasing animal-borne diseases, and growing demand for clean labels and natural products are all driving the growth of plant-based foods. "The plant meat industry based on plant protein will surely grow rapidly in the future, but the premise is to solve the problem of rising prices of raw materials." Zhang Chengwen analyzed.

Due to changes in lifestyles, work styles, and consumption patterns, health has become a central theme in people's lives. After the epidemic, there are still many problems that need to be solved, such as obesity, anxiety, sleep, and mental health. "In the crisis of the epidemic, the future is still full of uncertainty. But overall, the health food industry is more fortunate than other companies, because the development of the times has brought more opportunities for the industry." Zhang Chengwen said.