Top 10 Zeaxanthin Suppliers, Manufacturers, Wholesalers, and Traders in Lebanon

Founded in 2005 in the coastal city of Tripoli, Lebanese Natural Extracts Co. (LNECO) has grown from a small family-run lab to one of Lebanon's leading producers of organic certified botanical extracts. Specializing in zeaxanthin and lutein, LNECO prides itself on a "seed-to-shelf" approach—meaning every step, from sourcing raw materials to final extraction, is carefully controlled.

What sets LNECO apart? Its partnerships with local farmers in the Bekaa Valley, where marigold flowers (a rich source of zeaxanthin) are grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. This commitment to organic farming ensures that their zeaxanthin powder (available in purities from 10% to 98%) is not only high-quality but also traceable. "We know exactly where each batch comes from," says Maria Haddad, LNECO's quality control manager. "That transparency is something our clients—many of whom are pharmaceutical companies in Europe—value deeply."

LNECO's facility is GMP-certified and equipped with state-of-the-art CO2 extraction technology, which preserves the integrity of the zeaxanthin molecule better than traditional solvent-based methods. They also offer custom blends of lutein and zeaxanthin, tailored to client needs—whether for a daily supplement or a pharmaceutical-grade ingredient. With ISO 22000 certification for food safety and EU Organic approval, LNECO has become a go-to for brands prioritizing sustainability and purity.

Nestled in the heart of Beirut, Beirut Botanicals Ltd. has been a key player in the zeaxanthin market since 2010. What started as a small trading company has evolved into a full-fledged manufacturer, offering everything from bulk zeaxanthin powder to ready-to-sell encapsulated supplements. "Our mission is to make high-quality zeaxanthin accessible to everyone, from big pharmaceutical brands to small health food startups," says CEO Hassan Karam.

Beirut Botanicals' product line is diverse: they supply raw zeaxanthin powder (with purities ranging from 5% to 90%) for manufacturers, as well as pre-formulated capsules and tablets for brands that want to skip the production hassle. Their in-house lab, staffed by food scientists and chemists, tests every batch for purity, potency, and contaminants—ensuring that clients get consistent results. "We once had a client from Jordan who needed a custom blend of zeaxanthin, lutein, and vitamin E for a new eye health supplement," Karam recalls. "Our team developed the formula in two weeks and had samples ready for testing. That kind of flexibility is what keeps clients coming back."

Certified by ISO 9001 for quality management and HACCP for food safety, Beirut Botanicals also prides itself on fast turnaround times. With a warehouse in Beirut Port, they can ship orders to regional clients (in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey) within 48 hours and to global clients in under a week. For startups, they offer small minimum order quantities (MOQs)—a rarity in the bulk extract industry—making it easier for new brands to launch without large upfront investments.

For over two decades, Mount Lebanon Zeaxanthin Traders has been the backbone of Lebanon's zeaxanthin wholesale market. Founded in 1998 in Zahle, a city known for its agricultural heritage, the company specializes in importing high-quality zeaxanthin raw material from global producers (including India and China) and distributing it to local and regional buyers. "We don't manufacture, but we ensure that every kilogram of zeaxanthin we sell meets Lebanese and international standards," says founder George Saade.

What makes Mount Lebanon Traders unique is its focus on building long-term relationships. Many of their clients are small to medium-sized supplement manufacturers in Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria—businesses that rely on consistent pricing and reliable supply. "We negotiate directly with overseas producers to get the best rates, then pass those savings on to our clients," Saade explains. "During the 2020 global supply chain crisis, we managed to keep prices stable by diversifying our supplier network. That's the kind of trust we've built over the years."

In addition to raw zeaxanthin, the company offers pre-mixed blends of lutein and zeaxanthin—popular among clients making eye health supplements. They're also certified Halal and Kosher, which has helped them tap into markets with strict dietary requirements, like the Gulf states and Israel. "Our job is to make the process easy for our clients," Saade says. "Whether they need 10kg or 1,000kg, we handle the logistics, testing, and paperwork. All they have to do is focus on growing their business."

For brands that prioritize sustainability, Phoenician Health Ingredients is a standout choice. Founded in 2015 in Byblos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the company has made environmental responsibility its core mission. "We believe that good health shouldn't come at the expense of the planet," says sustainability director Rima El-Hajj. "From our solar-powered extraction facility to our partnerships with eco-friendly farmers, every decision we make is guided by sustainability."

Phoenician's zeaxanthin is sourced from marigold farms in the Bekaa Valley that use drip irrigation to conserve water and natural pest control methods. Their extraction process uses 80% less energy than traditional methods, thanks to solar panels that power their facility. Even their packaging is eco-friendly: bulk powders are shipped in biodegradable bags, and samples come in recycled cardboard boxes. "We had a client from France who was willing to pay a premium for carbon-neutral zeaxanthin," El-Hajj notes. "That's when we realized there was a real market for sustainable extracts—and we've been leading that charge ever since."

Beyond sustainability, Phoenician is known for its innovative formulations. Their flagship product, "EcoZeax," is a 50% pure zeaxanthin powder blended with organic green tea extract (a natural antioxidant), designed to enhance stability and bioavailability. Certified by GMP and ISO 14001 (for environmental management), the company exports to Europe, Canada, and Australia, where demand for sustainable ingredients is highest. For El-Hajj, the goal is clear: "We want to prove that you can make high-quality zeaxanthin while still caring for the planet."

When it comes to pharmaceutical-grade zeaxanthin, Cedar Valley Extracts is the name to know. Based in Baalbek, a city in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley (often called the "breadbasket of Lebanon"), the company specializes in producing ultra-pure zeaxanthin (95-98% purity) for use in prescription medications and high-end supplements. "Pharmaceutical clients have zero tolerance for impurities," says lab director Dr. Aya Faraj. "Our job is to deliver zeaxanthin that meets the strictest standards—and we've built our reputation on that."

Cedar Valley's facility is FDA-registered and GMP-certified, with cleanrooms that meet the standards of the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Their extraction process involves multiple purification steps, including high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), to remove even trace amounts of contaminants. "We once had a client from Germany who sent a batch back for testing—and it came back with 99.2% purity," Faraj laughs. "They were shocked; they'd never seen results that high from a supplier in the Middle East."

While pharmaceutical clients make up the bulk of their business, Cedar Valley also caters to luxury supplement brands that want to market their products as "pharmaceutical-grade." Their zeaxanthin is often paired with other high-purity botanical extracts, like bilberry and ginkgo biloba, for premium eye health formulas. "We're not the cheapest option, but our clients know they're getting the best," Faraj says. "In this industry, quality is everything—and we never compromise on that."

Mediterranean Bioactives, based in the coastal city of Tyre, is redefining what zeaxanthin can do—beyond just supplements. Founded in 2012, the company has carved a niche by producing zeaxanthin extracts for the cosmetics industry, where its antioxidant properties are prized for anti-aging and skin-brightening products. "Zeaxanthin isn't just for eyes," says founder Layla Khoury. "It's a powerful antioxidant that can protect skin from UV damage and reduce the appearance of fine lines. We saw an opportunity to bring that benefit to skincare—and it's paid off."

Mediterranean Bioactives offers two main zeaxanthin products: a water-soluble powder for serums and creams, and an oil-soluble version for lipsticks and foundations. Both are Ecocert-certified organic and cruelty-free, making them popular with clean beauty brands. "We work with a Lebanese skincare brand that uses our zeaxanthin in their 'Bright Eye Cream,'" Khoury notes. "They've seen a 30% increase in sales since adding it to the formula. That's the kind of real-world results we love to see."

Of course, they still cater to the supplement market, offering bulk zeaxanthin powder and custom blends with lutein. What sets them apart, though, is their focus on education. They regularly host workshops for beauty brands, teaching them how to incorporate zeaxanthin into formulations and market its benefits to consumers. "Many brands don't realize the potential of botanical extracts like zeaxanthin in skincare," Khoury says. "We're here to change that."

As one of Lebanon's largest wholesale distributors of supplements, Beirut Wholesale Supplements has a simple goal: to make high-quality zeaxanthin and other botanical extracts available to retailers and small manufacturers at competitive prices. Founded in 2000, the company operates out of a sprawling warehouse in Beirut's industrial district, where shelves are lined with bulk powders, capsules, and tablets—including their best-selling zeaxanthin-lutein blend.

"We work with over 500 retailers across Lebanon—from small health food stores in rural villages to big chains in Beirut," says operations manager Nada Ghanem. "Our clients rely on us for consistent stock and fair pricing. During the 2021 economic crisis, when many suppliers raised prices, we kept ours stable by cutting our own margins. That's loyalty—and it's why our client retention rate is over 90%."

Beirut Wholesale Supplements sources its zeaxanthin from trusted manufacturers in Lebanon and abroad, ensuring that every batch meets GMP and ISO 9001 standards. They offer both organic and conventional options, as well as pre-packaged retail-sized bottles for stores that don't want to handle bulk packaging. For manufacturers, they provide private labeling services—helping brands create custom supplement bottles with their own logos and designs. "We're more than just a supplier," Ghanem says. "We're a partner in our clients' success."

Not all top suppliers are single companies—some are collectives. The Lebanon Zeaxanthin Manufacturers Association (LZMA), founded in 2018, is a cooperative of 12 small to medium-sized zeaxanthin producers across Lebanon. Its mission? To standardize quality, share resources, and promote "Made in Lebanon" zeaxanthin on the global stage. "Small producers often struggle to compete with big international brands," says LZMA president Antoine Sarkis. "By joining forces, we can pool our resources, negotiate better prices for raw materials, and market ourselves as a unified, high-quality option."

LZMA members specialize in different areas: some focus on organic production, others on pharmaceutical-grade extracts, and a few on cosmetic applications. Together, they offer a full range of zeaxanthin products, from bulk powder to finished supplements. The association also runs a shared testing lab in Beirut, where members can send samples for analysis—ensuring that every product meets LZMA's strict quality standards. "Before LZMA, each producer had its own testing process, which led to inconsistent quality," Sarkis explains. "Now, we all follow the same protocols, so clients know exactly what they're getting, no matter which member they buy from."

In 2023, LZMA launched a "Lebanese Zeaxanthin" certification mark, which members can use on their products to signal adherence to the association's standards. The mark has already caught the attention of international buyers: last year, a major European supplement brand signed a deal to source 50% of its zeaxanthin from LZMA members. "This is just the beginning," Sarkis says. "We want the world to know that Lebanese zeaxanthin is synonymous with quality."

For eco-conscious brands, Olive Branch Botanicals is a dream come true. Founded in 2014 in Sidon, the company is on a mission to prove that organic, sustainable zeaxanthin can be both high-quality and affordable. "Too many people think organic means expensive," says founder Salma Nasr. "We're here to show that it doesn't have to be—if you prioritize efficiency and fair partnerships."

Olive Branch sources its marigold flowers from a network of small-scale organic farmers in the South of Lebanon, paying them above-market rates to ensure fair wages. The flowers are then transported to their solar-powered facility in Sidon, where they're processed using cold-press extraction—a method that uses less energy than traditional heat-based extraction and preserves more of the zeaxanthin's natural potency. "Our farmers are like family," Nasr says. "We visit their fields regularly, and we even host workshops on organic farming techniques. It's a win-win: they get better yields, and we get higher-quality raw materials."

Certified by EU Organic and USDA Organic, Olive Branch's zeaxanthin powder (available in 10-80% purity) is popular with natural supplement brands in Europe and North America. They also offer educational resources for consumers, including blog posts and social media content explaining the benefits of organic zeaxanthin and how to choose a high-quality supplement. "We believe that transparency is key," Nasr says. "Consumers deserve to know where their supplements come from and how they're made. That's why we share photos of our farmers and facility on our website—so people can see the faces behind the product."

Ancient Roots Extracts takes a unique approach to zeaxanthin: blending traditional herbal wisdom with modern science. Founded in 2003 in Nabatieh, a city with a history of herbal medicine dating back to Phoenician times, the company specializes in creating zeaxanthin formulations that combine the best of ancient and modern practices. "Our ancestors used plants like marigold for eye health centuries ago," says founder Dr. Kamal Harb, a herbalist and naturopath. "We're taking that knowledge and enhancing it with scientific research to create more effective products."

Ancient Roots' flagship product is "Eyes of the Phoenicians," a supplement that pairs zeaxanthin and lutein with bilberry extract (a traditional remedy for eye strain) and omega-3 fatty acids (known to support eye health). The formula was developed in partnership with researchers at the American University of Beirut and has been shown in clinical trials to improve visual acuity in people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). "We're not just selling extracts—we're selling solutions," Harb says. "Our clients aren't just buying zeaxanthin; they're buying a product that's backed by both tradition and science."

In addition to finished supplements, Ancient Roots sells bulk zeaxanthin powder and custom formulations for other brands. They also offer consulting services, helping clients develop their own tradition-inspired products. "A client from the US once asked us to create a zeaxanthin blend for a children's supplement," Harb recalls. "We added elderberry extract (for taste) and vitamin C (for immune support), creating a formula that's both healthy and kid-friendly. It's now one of their top-selling products."

Certified by GMP and Organic Lebanon (a local organic certification body), Ancient Roots is proof that sometimes, the best innovations come from looking to the past.