Top 10 Milk Thistle Extract Suppliers, Manufacturers, Wholesalers, and Traders in Bulgaria

Founded in 1995, Bulgarian Herbal Extracts Ltd. (BHE) is a pioneer in Bulgaria's botanical extract industry, with over 25 years of experience in cultivating and processing milk thistle. What started as a small family-run farm in the fertile Thracian Plain has grown into one of the country's most respected milk thistle extract manufacturers, serving clients across Europe, Asia, and North America. BHE's strength lies in its vertically integrated model: the company grows its own milk thistle crops on 500+ acres of pesticide-free land, ensuring full control over quality from seed to extract.

Specializing in bulk milk thistle extract, BHE offers both standard (70-80% silymarin) and high-potency (85%+ silymarin) formulations, tailored to supplement and pharmaceutical clients. All products are GMP-certified, and the company prides itself on its quick turnaround times—typically 5-7 days for bulk orders—and flexible minimum order quantities (MOQs start at 25kg). BHE's client roster includes major EU supplement brands and natural food companies, drawn to its transparent sourcing and consistent product quality.

Key Focus: Bulk supply, farm-to-extract traceability, EU-compliant manufacturing.

For businesses in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors, ThistlePharma Industries is a name synonymous with precision. Established in 2001, this Sofia-based manufacturer specializes in high-purity milk thistle extract, with a focus on pharmaceutical-grade formulations. ThistlePharma's state-of-the-art facility, located in the Sofia Tech Park, is ISO 13485 certified (the gold standard for medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturing) and equipped with advanced CO2 extraction technology to preserve silymarin's bioactivity.

What sets ThistlePharma apart is its commitment to research and development. The company partners with the University of Sofia's Faculty of Pharmacy to optimize extraction methods, resulting in extracts with silymarin concentrations up to 90%—among the highest in the industry. Its product line includes both powdered extract and liquid concentrates, designed for use in liver medications, intravenous therapies, and high-end supplements. While ThistlePharma primarily serves large-scale pharmaceutical clients (MOQs start at 100kg), it also offers small-batch testing samples for R&D teams.

Key Focus: Pharmaceutical-grade extracts, high silymarin potency, R&D collaboration.

If sustainability and organic certification are non-negotiable for your brand, BioNature Extracts should be at the top of your list. This family-owned business, founded in 2008, operates out of Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second-largest city, and has built its reputation on eco-friendly practices and organic milk thistle cultivation. BioNature's 300-acre farm is certified organic by the EU's organic farming body (EC 834/2007), meaning no synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or GMOs are used in the growing process.

BioNature's product range includes organic milk thistle extract in powder (60-80% silymarin) and liquid forms, ideal for natural supplement brands, organic cosmetics, and herbal teas. The company also offers custom formulations, such as milk thistle extract blended with other liver-supporting herbs like dandelion or artichoke. With a focus on small to medium-sized businesses, BioNature keeps MOQs low (starting at 10kg) and provides personalized customer service, including help with regulatory compliance for organic product labeling.

Key Focus: Organic certification, sustainable sourcing, small-business support.

As Bulgaria's leading milk thistle extract wholesaler, GreenBulk Trading connects manufacturers with global buyers, offering a one-stop shop for bulk extract sourcing. Founded in 2012, the company works with a network of 12 vetted Bulgarian extract producers, allowing it to offer a wide range of milk thistle extract options—from standard bulk powder to specialized formulations like micronized extract (for better absorption) or water-soluble extract (ideal for beverages).

GreenBulk's strength lies in its logistics expertise. The company handles everything from quality testing (via third-party labs in Sofia) to shipping, with options for air, sea, or land transport. It also offers flexible packaging—from 25kg drums to 1-ton supersacks—and can accommodate urgent orders (2-3 day delivery for EU clients). GreenBulk's client base spans the globe, with major partnerships in the U.S., Canada, and Australia, where demand for natural supplements is booming.

Key Focus: Wholesale distribution, global logistics, diverse product range.

For brands seeking "terroir-driven" ingredients, Alpine Extracts Bulgaria offers a unique proposition: milk thistle grown in the Rhodope Mountains, where higher altitudes and mineral-rich soil are said to enhance the plant's silymarin content. Founded in 2015 by a team of herbalists and agronomists, Alpine Extracts partners with small-scale mountain farmers to source its milk thistle, ensuring fair trade practices and supporting local communities.

The company's flagship product is its "Mountain Gold" milk thistle extract, which boasts a silymarin concentration of 85-90% and is marketed as a premium ingredient for luxury skincare lines and high-end supplements. Alpine Extracts also offers a "Heritage Blend," a slow-extracted version using traditional methods (cold maceration) that some clients claim has superior antioxidant activity. While prices are higher than mass-produced extracts, Alpine Extracts has carved a niche among brands prioritizing storytelling and unique sourcing.

Key Focus: High-altitude sourcing, premium/premium-priced extracts, traditional extraction methods.

NutraHerb Bulgaria is a dynamic player in the nutraceutical space, focusing on innovative milk thistle extract applications beyond liver health. Founded in 2010, the company works closely with food scientists and supplement formulators to develop extracts tailored for specific uses—think milk thistle extract optimized for gummy supplements (with improved taste masking) or for sports nutrition products (enhanced with amino acids for muscle recovery).

NutraHerb's facility in Varna, on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast, is GMP and ISO 9001 certified, with a dedicated R&D lab where new formulations are tested for bioavailability and stability. The company's core product is its "NutraSilymarin" line, which includes standard powder (70% silymarin), oil-soluble extract (for capsules), and water-soluble extract (for drinks and powders). NutraHerb also offers private labeling services, making it a favorite among startups looking to launch their own supplement lines without investing in manufacturing infrastructure.

Key Focus: Innovative formulations, custom extract development, private labeling.

For businesses new to the Bulgarian market, Balkan Extract Traders acts as a trusted bridge, offering personalized sourcing support and market insights. Established in 2005, this Sofia-based trading company represents over 15 Bulgarian extract manufacturers, including some of the names on this list, and specializes in matching clients with the right supplier based on their needs—whether that's price, certification, or product specification.

Balkan Extract Traders doesn't manufacture its own extracts but adds value through rigorous quality control (every batch is tested in-house for silymarin content, heavy metals, and pesticides) and multilingual customer service (staff speak English, German, French, and Russian). The company also helps clients navigate EU export regulations, a boon for businesses outside Europe. MOQs are flexible (starting at 5kg for trial orders), and Balkan Extract Traders offers competitive pricing by leveraging its bulk buying power with partner manufacturers.

Key Focus: Sourcing support, multilingual service, regulatory guidance.

EcoExtracts Ltd. is on a mission to prove that sustainability and scalability can go hand in hand. Founded in 2017, this Plovdiv-based manufacturer uses 100% renewable energy (solar and wind) to power its extraction facility and has implemented a zero-waste policy—byproducts from milk thistle extraction (like seed meal) are sold as animal feed, closing the loop on its supply chain.

EcoExtracts offers both organic and conventional milk thistle extract, with silymarin concentrations ranging from 60% to 80%. Its most popular product is "EcoSily," a certified organic, water-soluble extract designed for eco-conscious beverage brands and natural skincare lines. The company has also invested in blockchain technology to provide full traceability: clients can scan a QR code on each batch to view the milk thistle's farm origin, extraction date, and lab results. EcoExtracts' commitment to sustainability has earned it partnerships with B Corp-certified brands and eco-luxury cosmetic lines.

Key Focus: Renewable energy, zero-waste processing, blockchain traceability.

PharmaHerb Bulgaria is a heavyweight in the pharmaceutical-grade extract space, with over 30 years of experience supplying active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to global drug companies. Founded in 1992, the company's facility in Stara Zagora is EU GMP certified and undergoes annual inspections by the Bulgarian Drug Agency (BDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

PharmaHerb's milk thistle extract is used in prescription liver medications and over-the-counter supplements, with silymarin purity exceeding 90% (tested via HPLC). The company adheres to strict documentation requirements, providing full COA (Certificate of Analysis) and MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for every batch, along with stability testing data (up to 24 months). PharmaHerb's client list includes major pharmaceutical firms in Germany, France, and the U.S., drawn to its consistency and compliance with international pharmacopeias (USP, EP).

Key Focus: API-grade extracts, regulatory compliance, long-term pharma partnerships.

Rounding out our list is GlobalThistle Export, Bulgaria's most export-focused milk thistle extract supplier. Founded in 2010, the company specializes in shipping Bulgarian extracts to markets worldwide, with a particular focus on North America, Asia, and the Middle East. GlobalThistle works with a network of 8 local manufacturers, allowing it to offer a diverse product portfolio—from bulk powder to encapsulated extract (for ready-to-use supplements) and even liquid extract (for tinctures and skincare serums).

GlobalThistle's biggest advantage is its logistics network. The company has warehousing facilities in Rotterdam (Netherlands) and Newark (U.S.), enabling faster delivery to European and North American clients (2-3 days for EU, 5-7 days for U.S.). It also handles all import/export paperwork, including customs clearance and phytosanitary certificates, making it a hassle-free option for international buyers. GlobalThistle's MOQs start at 50kg for international orders, with discounts available for bulk purchases (1 ton+).

Key Focus: Global export, warehousing in key markets, end-to-end logistics support.