Annatto Wholesale

What is Annatto?

Annatto is a natural spice and color made from the reddish-orange seeds of the achiote tree, which grows in Central and South America. For many years, people have used it in native and Latin American cooking. Today, annatto is popular around the world for two main reasons:

• It is most commonly used as a natural food coloring (E160b), thanks to its yellow to deep orange tones.
• It is a spice used in dishes from Latin America and Southeast Asia.

Annatto has a mild peppery and nutty flavor that enhances cooking. Its pigments, called bixin and norbixin, provide a natural coloring option instead of artificial dyes. Annatto is also found in natural skincare and cosmetic products, hair dyes, and in fabric dyeing and crafts. In spice production, it is often processed with turmeric and paprika.

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Types, Varieties & Forms

Annatto comes in several forms for different uses:

• Whole Annatto Seeds: These are used in traditional cooking or can be ground to make infused oils. They are good for small-scale production.
• Annatto Powder: This is finely ground and can be used in spice mixes, baked goods, and cosmetics where a clean pigment is needed.
• Annatto Paste: This is a mix of annatto seeds, oil, and spices. It is often used in Latin American cooking for meats, stews, and marinades.
• Annatto Extract: This is a concentrated form that mixes well with water or oil. It is commonly used in food production, especially in dairy, to add bright yellow to orange colors.

All different types of annatto ingredients can be found in conventional and organic options, depending on the supplier. They are suitable for food, personal care, and industrial purposes.

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Harvest Season

Annatto is usually picked from October to February, depending on where it is grown. In tropical regions, farmers can harvest annatto several times a year, with the best time being from July to December. The top producers are Peru, Brazil, India, and the Philippines. Prices can change based on how much pigment is in the seeds, the quality of drying, and how much can be extracted, especially in the color industry.

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Producing Countries

Annatto is grown in tropical and subtropical climates. The main producers are:

• Brazil: A leading exporter, recognized for its high-yield annatto used in making food colorants.
• Peru: Provides both culinary-grade and industrial-grade annatto for local use and export.
• Mexico: A traditional source of annatto (achiote), with uses rooted in Mexican cuisine. Noted for seeds and pastes with rich flavors.
• The Philippines: A notable Asian producer, with a rising demand for seeds and oil-based extracts.
• India & Vietnam: New suppliers concentrating on natural dye markets.

These areas offer various product forms, from raw seeds to concentrated colorants. Through Nutrada's platform, buyers can compare origins and processing methods to align with their chosen specifications and certifications. The annatto market was valued at about $246.1 million in 2023, expected to grow to $354.4 million by 2030, with a projected annual growth rate of 5.4% during the forecast period.

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Trends

Annatto has been used for over 2,000 years by native groups in the Americas as a spice and dye. Today, it is becoming more important as businesses look to replace artificial colors with natural ones. It is commonly used in vegan cheese, snack coatings, and sauces, helping the trend towards plant-based and natural foods. In the herbs and spices category, annatto is also used in Latin American and Caribbean cooking, adding color and flavor to traditional dishes.

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Annatto Manufacturers

Nutrada helps buyers find certified annatto manufacturers. These manufacturers mostly supply whole seeds, paste and powders. Annatto products are cleaned, graded, and tested for pigment strength and safety. Documentation such as specifications and certificates of analyses (COA) are available upon request from the manufacturer. Generally, Annatto can last 12 to 24 months when stored in a cool, dry place in sealed packages.

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Bulk Annatto

Annatto usually comes in bags that weigh 20 to 25 kilograms, either as seeds or powder. It can also be found as pigment extracts in larger drums for industrial use. Buyers who prefer to buy in bulk, are usually cheese makers, seasoning companies, and those who create natural colors. They look for a reliable plant-based pigment to make their products visually more appealing.

Private Label Annatto

Suppliers on Nutrada also provide private label options for annatto. You can find it in whole, powdered, or paste forms. Whether you need it for retail, import or distribution, our partners can help with packaging, labeling, and technical documents.

If you're launching a new product or expanding a wellness brand, private label annatto allows you to enter the market without managing production yourself.

Organic Annatto

Organic annatto is grown without synthetic pesticides and follows strict organic certification rules. It is popular for use in organic dairy products, plant-based cheese substitutes, and plant-based sauces.

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Annatto Suppliers

Getting high-quality annatto for your business is easier with Nutrada. Nutrada's B2B sourcing platform matches you with reliable annatto suppliers from Brazil, Mexico, and Peru. You can compare different profiles, check their certifications, and much more, all from one dashboard.

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