Top 10 Lutein Suppliers, Manufacturers, Wholesalers, and Traders in Gambia

Nestled in the heart of Brikama, Gambia Lutein Extracts Ltd has been a cornerstone of the local lutein manufacturing scene since 2010. What sets this company apart is its vertically integrated model: they grow their own marigold crops on 50 acres of farmland just outside the city, ensuring full control over the supply chain from seed to extract. This hands-on approach not only guarantees freshness but also allows them to maintain competitive pricing, a boon for small to medium businesses looking to source locally.

Specializing in both powder and liquid lutein extracts, their product range caters to dietary supplement makers, food and beverage companies, and cosmetic brands. Their standard lutein powder has a potency of 5-20%, with options for higher concentrations (up to 90%) for pharmaceutical clients. They're also one of the few manufacturers in Gambia to offer water-soluble lutein, a popular choice for fortified drinks and skincare serums.

Certifications matter here: Gambia Lutein Extracts holds ISO 9001 for quality management and GMP certification, ensuring their processes meet international standards. They've built a loyal customer base across West Africa, with clients in Senegal, Guinea, and Ghana, and recently expanded to export to Europe. What truly makes them stand out, though, is their commitment to sustainability—they use solar power for 30% of their processing needs and recycle marigold plant waste as fertilizer for local farms.

For businesses that need flexibility and a wide range of options, West African Nutraceutical Traders (WANT) in Serrekunda is a go-to. As one of Gambia's largest lutein wholesalers, they don't manufacture their own extracts but instead partner with top global producers to bring high-quality lutein to local and regional markets. This model allows them to offer everything from budget-friendly bulk powders to premium lutein and zeaxanthin blends tailored for eye health supplements.

WANT's inventory includes both synthetic and natural lutein, though they've seen a 40% uptick in demand for natural options over the past three years. Their bestsellers? A 10% lutein-zeaxanthin mix (ideal for multivitamins) and a 20% pure lutein powder popular with cosmetic formulators for anti-aging creams. They also stock ready-to-label supplement capsules, making them a favorite among startups looking to launch their own brands without the hassle of manufacturing.

Certifications are a priority here: all their products come with Halal and Kosher certifications, and they work exclusively with suppliers who meet FDA or EU standards. With a warehouse capacity of 500 metric tons, they can handle large orders—recently fulfilling a 10-ton shipment to a Nigerian supplement company—and offer same-day delivery within Gambia for smaller purchases. Their customer service team, fluent in English, French, and Wolof, adds an extra layer of convenience for international clients.

Organic is the name of the game for GreenGambia Organic Ingredients, a family-owned manufacturer based in Banjul. Founded in 2015 by a group of agricultural scientists, they set out to prove that Gambia's fertile soil could produce high-quality organic lutein—and they've succeeded. Their flagship product is a 15% organic lutein powder derived from organically grown marigolds, certified by both USDA Organic and the EU Organic Commission.

What makes GreenGambia unique is their focus on biodiversity. Alongside marigolds, they experiment with extracting lutein from local leafy greens like jute mallow (a staple in Gambian cuisine) and amaranth, creating unique "green lutein" blends that appeal to eco-conscious brands. These blends, rich in additional nutrients like iron and vitamin C, have become popular in Europe for functional food bars and smoothie mixes.

While they primarily sell to manufacturers, GreenGambia also offers small-batch samples (starting at 1kg) for startups and researchers. They're committed to fair trade, paying local farmers 20% above market rates for organic crops, and their processing facility runs on 100% renewable energy. For brands that want to tell a story of sustainability and local impact, GreenGambia is an easy choice.

Coastal Health Supplies, located in Bakau, specializes in bridging the gap between international lutein producers and Gambian businesses. As a trader, they import high-quality lutein crystals, extracts, and finished supplements from countries like India, China, and the Netherlands, then distribute them locally at competitive prices. Their niche? Hard-to-find specialty products, such as microencapsulated lutein (for better absorption in supplements) and lutein esters (used in pharmaceuticals).

They've built a reputation for reliability, with a 98% on-time delivery rate and strict quality control checks. Each shipment is tested in their in-house lab for purity and potency, and they provide detailed COAs (Certificates of Analysis) to clients. This attention to detail has made them a trusted partner for Gambian hospitals and clinics that source lutein for eyesight supplements for patients with age-related eye conditions.

Coastal Health also offers custom formulation services, helping clients create unique blends—like a recent project for a local skincare brand that wanted to add lutein to their anti-aging serums for UV protection. With a minimum order size of just 500g, they're accessible to small businesses, while their partnerships with major logistics companies ensure they can handle orders of up to 50 tons for regional export.

When it comes to pharmaceutical-grade lutein, River Gambia Pharmaceuticals (RGP) in Brikama is the gold standard. Established in 2008, they operate a state-of-the-art facility that meets WHO GMP and PIC/S standards, making their products eligible for export to regulated markets like the EU and Canada. Their core focus is on high-purity lutein (90% and above) used in prescription eye medications and premium supplements.

RGP's most popular product is "LuteoVision," a slow-release capsule containing lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamin E, designed specifically for individuals with early-stage macular degeneration. It's prescribed by ophthalmologists across West Africa and has even been featured in a 2023 study on eye health in the region. They also produce bulk pharmaceutical-grade lutein powder for international drug companies, with strict quality controls that include testing for heavy metals and microbial contamination.

What sets RGP apart is their commitment to research. They partner with the University of The Gambia to study lutein's effects on local populations, recently publishing a paper on how traditional Gambian diets (rich in leafy greens) naturally support eye health. This blend of science and local expertise has made them a leader in the pharmaceutical lutein space.

For businesses that need lutein in massive quantities, Sahel Bulk Exporters in Serekunda is the answer. As Gambia's largest bulk lutein wholesaler, they focus on raw materials—primarily marigold extract paste and crude lutein powder—selling to manufacturers across West Africa. Their sweet spot is orders of 50 tons or more, though they accommodate smaller bulk orders (starting at 5 tons) for regional clients.

They source their marigold extract from India and China, where they have long-term contracts with farms that meet FDA standards, ensuring consistent quality and pricing. Their warehouse, one of the largest in Gambia, can store up to 1,000 metric tons, allowing them to offer competitive pricing by buying in bulk and passing savings to customers. They also provide logistics support, helping clients navigate customs and shipping for international orders.

Sahel Bulk has recently expanded into pre-formulated blends, including a popular "eye health mix" containing lutein, zeaxanthin, and bilberry extract. This has attracted food manufacturers looking to fortify cereals and snacks with eye-friendly nutrients. With a team of agricultural economists on staff, they also offer market insights, helping clients predict price fluctuations and plan their purchases accordingly.

Serrekunda Natural Extracts takes a back-to-basics approach: instead of relying on marigolds, they extract lutein from locally grown leafy greens like spinach, kale, and collard greens. This not only supports local farmers but also creates a unique product with a more diverse nutrient profile—their lutein powder contains trace amounts of vitamins A, C, and K, making it a favorite for whole-food supplement brands.

Founded in 2018 by a former chef who noticed the nutrient density of Gambian greens, the company uses a gentle cold-press extraction method to preserve heat-sensitive nutrients. The result is a vibrant green powder with a mild, earthy flavor, ideal for adding to smoothies, juices, or green powders. They also offer a concentrated liquid extract for use in herbal teas and tonics.

Certified organic by the Gambian Organic Producers Association, Serrekunda Natural Extracts prides itself on transparency. They welcome factory tours, and their website features profiles of the farmers who supply their greens. While their production capacity is smaller than some larger manufacturers (around 500kg per month), they've built a loyal following among health food stores in Gambia and Senegal, who appreciate their local sourcing and commitment to traditional farming practices.

Banjul Trading Co. is the place to go for international lutein brands and finished products. As an authorized distributor for companies like Nature's Bounty, Solgar, and NOW Foods, they bring globally recognized best lutein supplement options to Gambian shelves. From softgels to gummies, their product range caters to consumers of all ages—including a popular children's lutein chewable designed to support eye health in kids who spend hours on screens.

Beyond retail products, they also offer private-label services for businesses looking to rebrand existing supplements. A recent example is a local pharmacy chain that launched its own "Gambia Eye Care" line using Banjul Trading's white-label capsules. They handle everything from packaging design to regulatory compliance, making it easy for clients to enter the market quickly.

With a network of over 200 retailers across Gambia, including supermarkets, pharmacies, and health food stores, Banjul Trading has unmatched distribution reach. They also operate an e-commerce platform for direct-to-consumer sales, which saw a 150% growth during the COVID-19 pandemic as more people turned to online shopping for supplements. Their customer service team provides free consultations on lutein dosage and usage, further solidifying their role as a trusted health partner.

Foni Agro-Processing, located in the Foni region of western Gambia, is a pioneer in sustainable lutein production. They specialize in using marigold flowers that are a by-product of the local perfume industry—flowers that would otherwise be discarded—to extract lutein, reducing waste and creating an additional revenue stream for farmers.

Their process is low-tech but effective: the flowers are dried in the sun (a nod to traditional Gambian farming practices) before being cold-pressed to extract the lutein-rich oil, which is then refined into powder. This method uses 70% less energy than industrial extraction, aligning with their commitment to environmental stewardship. The result is a 10% lutein powder that's popular with budget-conscious supplement makers and animal feed producers (lutein is also used to enhance the color of egg yolks).

Certified Fair Trade and GMP, Foni Agro-Processing works with over 200 smallholder farmers, providing them with training on sustainable marigold cultivation. They've also launched a community health program, donating a portion of profits to local eye clinics that provide free lutein for eyesight supplements to low-income families. For brands that want to align with both affordability and social responsibility, Foni is a standout choice.

Rounding out our list is North Bank Health Ingredients, a wholesaler based in Farafenni that specializes in nutraceutical raw materials, with a strong focus on lutein-zeaxanthin blends. What makes them unique is their emphasis on research-backed formulations—each of their blends is developed in partnership with nutritionists to ensure optimal ratios for specific health goals, such as age-related eye support or sports nutrition.

Their top-selling product is "LuteoZea Pro," a 5:1 lutein-to-zeaxanthin blend that mirrors the ratio found in the macula, making it highly bioavailable. It's used by supplement brands across West Africa in products targeting eye health, and has even been adopted by several sports teams for its antioxidant properties, which help reduce exercise-induced oxidative stress.

North Bank holds ISO 14001 certification for environmental management and Halal certification, catering to diverse markets. They offer flexible packaging options, from 1kg bags to 25kg drums, and provide free sample kits for clients to test before committing to large orders. With a team of food scientists on staff, they also offer technical support, helping clients troubleshoot formulation issues and ensure their products meet regulatory standards.