Market 2025: growing popularity of plant-based ingredients! [72nd Edition of the PLANT-BASED Newsletter]

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Dive into our latest newsletter for key market insights for 2025! Find out why coconut chip prices are hitting record highs, the challenges facing the organic potato flakes market and what’s behind the stability of sunflower lecithin prices. Plus discover India’s surprising decision on sugar exports, China’s ban on soya imports and Indonesia’s victory in its dispute with the EU over biodiesel. This and much more in our latest edition!

Let’s see what else has happened recently in the plant products market!

Coconut Chips

The coconut chips market in 2025 is characterised by high prices that have reached record levels, especially for the most desirable products coming from the Philippines, where availability is very limited. The price of coconut chips has risen from 1,800 USD/MT to 2,600 USD/MT between October 2024 and today, with sales reaching 2.85-3 EUR/KG for medium-grain (‘medium grade’) products. Coconut chips from Indonesia are available in the highest volumes, offering a wide range of products, including different granulations such as ‘fine’ and ‘medium’, with varying fat content. They can be ordered both natural and with sulphur dioxide (SO₂), which extends the shelf life of the product. Foodcom S.A. ensures their stable supply and variety, responding to market needs.

Potato flakes bio

The market for organic potato flakes (BIO) in 2025 is characterised by limited product availability, mainly due to higher production requirements and a limited supply of certified organic potatoes. Demand for this segment has increased significantly in recent years, especially in Europe and North America, where consumers are increasingly opting for organic products. Prices for organic potato flakes remain high, due to both rising raw material costs and the logistical challenges of transporting them. Compared to conventional potato flakes, the price difference is pronounced, limiting their availability in certain market segments. The main suppliers are Eastern European countries and Germany, but supply volatility continues to put pressure on supply stability.

Sunflower lecithin powder

Sunflower lecithin powder in 2025 is characterised by stable demand, particularly in Europe and the US, where vegan and non-GMO market needs dominate. The product is mainly sourced from Eastern Europe and Asia, but availability is moderate due to a limited raw material base and logistical challenges. Sunflower lecithin prices remain high, well above soy lecithin prices, due to the more costly production process and rising transport and energy costs. Sunflower lecithin does not exhibit energising properties, making it a preferred ingredient in many food products, particularly in the production of processed meat products.

What else?

India prepares to export one million tonnes of sugar in 2025

India, the world’s second largest sugar producer, has announced that it will allow one million tonnes of the commodity to be exported this season. The decision, taken on 19 January 2025, is expected to help sugar mills sell surpluses and support local prices, which have reached their lowest level in a year and a half. Exports will mainly go to countries such as Indonesia, Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates.

The decision comes as a surprise as this year’s sugar production in India could fall to 27 million tonnes, below the national demand of 29 million tonnes. Lower sugarcane yields in key states such as Maharashtra and Karnataka have influenced these restrictions. Experts, however, point out that though limited, exports can improve the sugar industry, which is struggling due to global price fluctuations and falling production.

China suspends soybean imports from five Brazilian companies for phytosanitary reasons

22 January 2025 China has suspended soybean imports from five Brazilian companies for failure to meet phytosanitary requirements. The companies affected by this suspension are Terra Roxa Comércio de Cereais, Olam Brasil, C.Vale Cooperativa Agroindustrial, Cargill Agrícola S.A. and ADM do Brasil. The suspensions for the first three companies came into effect on 8 January and for the other two on 14 January. The reasons for the decisions were chemical contamination and the presence of pests detected in the supplies. The duration of the suspensions has not been specified, but traders anticipate that it will be short term, dependent on the Brazilian companies providing evidence that the problems have been resolved. China, which is the world’s largest importer of soybeans, relies heavily on supplies from Brazil as its main supplier of the commodity.

Indonesia wins dispute with EU over palm biofuels

Indonesia, the world’s largest palm oil producer, has welcomed the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) decision in its dispute with the European Union over palm oil biodiesel. The EU declared the product “high risk” in 2019 due to its links to deforestation and announced it would phase it out from transport between 2023 and 2030. The WTO found the logic of the EU’s action legitimate, but pointed out procedural flaws such as a lack of transparency and unequal treatment of Indonesian products.

Indonesia’s trade minister, Budi Santoso, said he hoped the WTO decision would discourage other countries from imposing similar restrictions that could harm global trade. The EU will have to adapt its regulations and Indonesia has said it will monitor regulatory changes. This is an important step to protect palm oil exports, which play a key role in Indonesia’s economy.