Peru and Brazil account for the majority of European annatto supply. Find GFSI-certified annatto suppliers from both origins on Nutrada, filterable by quality, form, and MOQ.
| Value | Description |
| Botanical name | Bixa orellana |
| Available forms | Whole dried seeds, standardised extract (powder/liquid), oil-soluble extract, water-soluble extract, paste |
| Origins | Peru, Brazil, Kenya, India, Ecuador |
| Certifications | GFSI, EU Organic, USDA NOP, Kosher, Halal, E160b approval |
| Common applications | Cheese colouring, butter, margarine, smoked fish, breakfast cereals |
| Packaging | 5-25 kg bags (seeds), drums (extracts) |
| MOQ | 25kg |
| Category | Herbs Wholesale |
| Form | What it means for procurement | Typical application |
| Whole dried seeds | Raw material requiring extraction; 0.8-3% bixin content | Traditional paste production, small-batch processing |
| Standardised extract powder | 2-10% bixin content specified; most common B2B form | Cheese manufacturing, butter production |
| Oil-soluble extract (bixin E160b) | Fat-soluble colorant for lipid matrices | Cheese, butter, margarine, oil-based products |
| Water-soluble extract (norbixin E160b) | Alkaline-treated for aqueous applications | Beverages, water-based sauces, custard |
| Paste (achiote) | Ground seeds with spices; traditional Latin American form | Marinades, rice dishes, meat seasoning |
Peru is the largest exporter of annatto seed, shipping approximately 4,000 tonnes annually with harvest running October through January in tropical lowland departments including San Martin and Cusco. Brazil is the largest producer at roughly 5,000 tonnes annually but consumes the majority domestically, limiting exportable surplus for EU buyers. Kenya exports approximately 1,500 tonnes of annatto seed and extracts annually, making it the second-largest exporter after Peru and the primary African supply origin. Regulation (EU) 2020/771 defines two separate food additives under E160b: annatto bixin E160b(i) and annatto norbixin E160b(ii), each with distinct specifications.
Annatto is moisture-sensitive and requires storage below 10% relative humidity to prevent degradation. Whole seeds are packaged in 5-25 kg moisture-barrier bags while standardised extracts arrive in 25-50 kg drums with nitrogen flushing. Buyers must verify bixin percentage alongside ASTA colour units with suppliers as colour intensity varies independently of bixin content. Store below 25 degrees Celsius at under 65% RH for 18-24 month shelf life.
Peru and Brazil hold established EU Organic certification for annatto seed production. Peruvian organic supply chains serve the European market with competitive pricing and dual USDA NOP certification available. Brazilian organic annatto is primarily consumed domestically with limited export availability for EU buyers.
Private label annatto is available in whole seed form in 100-500g stand-up pouches, standardised extract powder in 50-250g jars, and paste in 200-400g glass containers. MOQ starts at 500 units for retail packaging versus 25 kg for bulk supply. Buyers must specify bixin percentage targets before production as colour strength varies by seed batch and extraction method.
Annatto manufacturers cluster in Peru's San Martin region and Brazil's Amazon basin, with processing facilities concentrated near growing areas to preserve bixin content. Turmeric and annatto are frequently combined in food colouring blends for cheese applications. Documentation to request includes batch-specific CoA, bixin percentage analysis, and E160b compliance certificates.
Nutrada lists GFSI-certified annatto suppliers from Peru, Brazil, and Kenya, covering whole seeds, extracts, and paste across conventional and organic supply. All orders are placed directly with certified suppliers, with no intermediary.
Last updated: Apr 9, 2026
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