Market Research Firm Says Asian Imports Threaten European Phytonutrient Market

Market Research Firm Says Asian Imports Threaten European Phytonutrient Market

LONDON--A new market research report from Frost & Sullivan noted that European phytonutrient producers are seeing decreased sales due in part to Asian producers selling below cost in an effort to gain market share in Europe. The competition is exacerbating existing conditions of increased competition and improved extraction techniques for nutrients.

Frost & Sullivan's (www.frost.com) study looks at five phytonutrients--vitamin E, carotenoids, flavonoids, isoflavones and phytosterols--and estimated that the total market, worth $585 million today, will reach $780 million by 2008. "In the phytonutrients market, competition has risen and extraction techniques have improved," said Anna Ibbotson, food program manager. "As a result, phytonutrient prices have started falling. This trend is expected to remain effective throughout the 2001 to 2008 period, and manufacturers must develop cost-reduction strategies in order to maintain margins and competitiveness."