Top 10 Silymarin Suppliers, Manufacturers, Wholesalers, and Traders in Nicaragua

Founded in 2005, Nicaragua Natural Extracts Co. (NNEC) isn't just a supplier—it's a pioneer in sustainable silymarin production. Located in the heart of Matagalpa, a region renowned for its organic farms, NNEC has built its reputation on three pillars: quality, transparency, and environmental stewardship. What sets them apart? Their vertically integrated model, which allows them to control every step of the process, from planting milk thistle seeds in pesticide-free fields to extracting silymarin in their GMP-certified facility.

NNEC specializes in both standard and organic certified botanical extracts, with their silymarin offerings ranging from 80% to 95% purity. For businesses prioritizing clean labels, their organic line is certified by the USDA and EU Organic, ensuring no synthetic fertilizers or harmful chemicals touch the plants. They also cater to bulk buyers, with minimum order quantities (MOQs) starting at 50kg for wholesale orders, and offer custom formulations for clients with specific needs—whether it's a powder for capsules or a liquid extract for tinctures.

What customers love most about NNEC is their commitment to education. Their team of agronomists and chemists regularly hosts workshops for clients, sharing insights on milk thistle cultivation and silymarin's benefits. As one long-time client put it: "Working with NNEC feels like partnering with a mentor. They don't just sell you extract—they help you understand how to make the most of it." With a global reach spanning North America, Europe, and Asia, NNEC is a top choice for businesses that value both quality and partnership.

For small to medium-sized businesses looking for flexibility, GreenRoots Wholesalers is a game-changer. Established in 2012 in Managua, this family-owned business prides itself on making high-quality silymarin accessible to everyone, from startups to established brands. Unlike larger manufacturers, GreenRoots keeps its operations lean, allowing them to offer competitive pricing without compromising on purity.

GreenRoots sources milk thistle from a network of small-scale farmers in Jinotega, a mountainous region where traditional farming practices have been passed down for generations. This not only ensures fresh, potent raw material but also supports local communities—a mission close to the company's heart. Their silymarin extracts are available in powder and liquid forms, with purity levels from 70% to 90%, and they're particularly popular among supplement brands creating liver support formulas and herbal blends.

One of GreenRoots' standout features is their low MOQ of just 10kg, making them ideal for businesses testing new products or working with limited budgets. They also offer fast turnaround times—typically 5-7 days for domestic orders and 10-14 days for international shipments—and provide detailed COA (Certificate of Analysis) reports with every batch, so clients can verify potency and safety. "As a new brand, we were nervous about investing in bulk ingredients," shared a customer. "GreenRoots made it easy with their small orders and transparent testing. Now we're scaling up, and they're right there with us."

While GreenRoots primarily focuses on wholesale, they also partner with local traders to distribute smaller quantities to Nicaraguan businesses, fostering growth within the country's natural products industry. For those prioritizing affordability, community impact, and reliability, GreenRoots is a name to remember.

When precision and pharmaceutical-grade quality are non-negotiable, PharmaNica Extracts delivers. Founded in 2010 as a division of Nicaragua's leading pharmaceutical group, this Managua-based manufacturer specializes in silymarin extracts that meet the strictest global standards, including USP, EP, and BP specifications. Their state-of-the-art facility, equipped with HPLC and UV-Vis spectroscopy labs, ensures every batch of silymarin is tested for purity, heavy metals, and microbial contamination—making them a trusted partner for pharmaceutical companies and nutraceutical brands alike.

PharmaNica's silymarin portfolio is designed for high-performance applications. Their flagship product, a 95% pure silymarin powder, is often used in prescription liver medications and clinical trials, thanks to its consistent potency and low impurity profile. They also offer standardized extracts (80% silymarin) for over-the-counter supplements and cosmetic formulations, where efficacy and safety are paramount. For clients in regulated industries, PharmaNica provides full documentation, including DMF (Drug Master File) support and GMP certification, to streamline regulatory approvals.

What truly distinguishes PharmaNica is their focus on research and development. They collaborate with the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua to study silymarin's potential beyond liver health, exploring its use in anti-aging skincare and metabolic support supplements. "We don't just extract silymarin—we innovate with it," says their head of R&D. This commitment to science has earned them partnerships with global pharmaceutical giants, who rely on PharmaNica for a steady supply of high-purity silymarin. While their MOQs start at 100kg, the investment is worth it for businesses that can't compromise on quality or compliance.

EcoBotanical Traders is proof that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand. Established in 2015 in Granada, this female-led company has made a name for itself by sourcing silymarin from smallholder farmers who use regenerative agriculture practices—think crop rotation, composting, and water conservation. Their mission? To create a supply chain that benefits both the planet and the people who nurture it. Today, they work with over 50 farming families across Nicaragua, providing training and fair prices to ensure long-term partnerships.

EcoBotanical's silymarin offerings are as diverse as their values. They specialize in organic and conventional extracts, with a focus on cold-pressed methods that preserve silymarin's bioactivity. Their most popular product, a 85% organic silymarin powder, is a hit among eco-conscious cosmetic brands, who use it in serums and creams for its antioxidant and skin-soothing properties. They also offer bulk silymarin in liquid form, ideal for herbal teas and functional beverages, and can customize particle size for clients needing ultra-fine powder for capsules.

What clients rave about is EcoBotanical's storytelling. Each shipment comes with a "Farm to Formula" booklet, sharing the stories of the farmers who grew the milk thistle and the sustainable practices used. For brands building a purpose-driven identity, this transparency is invaluable. "Our customers love knowing their purchase supports Nicaraguan farmers and the environment," says a skincare brand owner who partners with EcoBotanical. With MOQs as low as 25kg and carbon-neutral shipping options, EcoBotanical Traders is perfect for businesses that want their ingredients to reflect their values.

When it comes to scale, Nicaragua Bulk Extracts Ltd. (NBEL) is in a league of its own. Founded in 1998, this Managua-based manufacturer is one of the largest silymarin producers in Central America, with the capacity to process over 500 tons of milk thistle seeds annually. Their massive, ISO 9001-certified facility houses cutting-edge extraction equipment, including supercritical CO2 extractors, which allow them to produce silymarin with minimal solvent residues—a key advantage for clients prioritizing clean formulations.

NBEL caters to global wholesalers and distributors, offering silymarin in bulk quantities (starting at 500kg) at highly competitive prices. Their product line includes standard extracts (70-90% silymarin), as well as specialized grades like "low-glycemic" silymarin, which is processed to remove excess sugars, making it suitable for diabetic-friendly supplements. They also provide toll processing services, where clients can send their own milk thistle seeds for extraction—a cost-effective option for businesses with existing raw material sources.

What sets NBEL apart is their logistical expertise. With a dedicated export team and partnerships with major shipping lines, they can deliver bulk silymarin to ports worldwide in as little as 14 days, ensuring clients never face production delays. They also offer flexible payment terms, including letters of credit, to ease international transactions. "When you need a lot of silymarin, fast, NBEL delivers," says a global supplement distributor. While they may not be the right fit for small businesses, their reliability and scale make them a top choice for large-scale manufacturers and traders.

For businesses seeking artisanal quality, PureHerb Botanicals is a hidden treasure. Founded in 2010 by a team of herbalists and chemists in León, this small-batch manufacturer focuses on creating silymarin extracts that honor traditional extraction methods while meeting modern quality standards. Their process involves slow maceration in organic ethanol, followed by gentle evaporation to preserve silymarin's delicate compounds—a method they believe results in a more bioavailable extract compared to harsh industrial techniques.

PureHerb's silymarin is available in limited batches, with each lot numbered and traceable to the specific farm where the milk thistle was grown. Their signature product, a 80% silymarin tincture, is a favorite among herbalists and natural health brands for its rich, earthy flavor and versatility. They also offer a powdered extract (85% silymarin) for supplements, which is cold-dried to maintain enzyme activity. While their prices are slightly higher than mass-produced options, clients say the quality is worth it: "PureHerb's silymarin has a depth of flavor and potency you can't get from big suppliers. Our customers notice the difference."

Beyond products, PureHerb prides itself on education. They host monthly webinars on silymarin's benefits and applications, and their team is always available to answer questions about formulation and dosage. For small brands or startups looking to differentiate with a premium ingredient, PureHerb Botanicals offers a personal touch that larger suppliers can't match. With MOQs starting at 5kg, they're accessible to businesses of all sizes—proving that quality doesn't have to come with a prohibitive price tag.

AgroExtract Nicaragua is all about partnerships. Since 2012, this trader has acted as a bridge between Nicaragua's small-scale milk thistle farmers and international buyers, ensuring fair prices for growers and consistent quality for clients. Based in Chinandega, a region known for its high-yield milk thistle crops, AgroExtract works with over 100 farmers, providing them with high-quality seeds and training in good agricultural practices (GAP) to boost both yield and silymarin content.

What makes AgroExtract unique is their ability to source silymarin in various forms, depending on client needs. They offer raw milk thistle seeds (for clients who prefer to extract in-house), crude silymarin extract (50-70% purity), and refined silymarin powder (80-95% purity). This flexibility makes them a go-to for businesses at different stages: startups might start with crude extract to keep costs low, while established brands can upgrade to refined powder for finished products. They also specialize in private labeling, helping clients build their own brand identity with custom packaging and branding support.

AgroExtract's customer service is another standout. Their multilingual team (fluent in Spanish, English, and Portuguese) ensures smooth communication, and they offer door-to-door delivery to over 30 countries, handling all logistics from customs clearance to final delivery. "Working with AgroExtract takes the stress out of international sourcing," says a Brazilian supplement manufacturer. "They handle the details so we can focus on our business." With competitive pricing and a commitment to fairness, AgroExtract Nicaragua is a trusted partner for businesses looking to source silymarin with integrity.

NutraNica Ingredients is on a mission to put Nicaragua on the map as a leader in functional ingredients, and their silymarin offerings are a big part of that. Founded in 2018 by a team of food scientists, this Managua-based manufacturer specializes in creating innovative silymarin-based ingredients for the nutraceutical and food & beverage industries. Their flagship product, SilyMax™, is a microencapsulated silymarin powder designed to improve bioavailability—meaning more of the compound is absorbed by the body, enhancing its effectiveness in supplements and functional foods.

NutraNica's product line caters to the fast-growing demand for convenient, on-the-go nutrition. Their silymarin is available in water-soluble powder form, making it easy to blend into smoothies, energy drinks, and protein bars without clumping or altering taste. They also offer silymarin in beadlet form for time-release supplements, which is popular among brands targeting sustained liver support. For clients in the sports nutrition space, their "Silymarin + Electrolytes" blend combines liver support with hydration—a unique offering that has gained traction among fitness brands.

What clients love about NutraNica is their focus on innovation. They invest heavily in R&D, with a lab dedicated to developing new silymarin formulations, and they're quick to adapt to market trends. When the demand for clean-label ingredients surged, they launched an organic, non-GMO silymarin line certified by the Non-GMO Project. "NutraNica doesn't just follow trends—they set them," says a food & beverage brand manager. With MOQs starting at 20kg and custom formulation services, they're a great choice for businesses looking to create cutting-edge products with silymarin.

For businesses prioritizing organic and regenerative sourcing, BioNica Organics is a standout. This Granada-based supplier has been certified organic by Ecocert since 2014, and their milk thistle is grown on farms that use biodynamic practices—meaning the soil is treated as a living ecosystem, with no synthetic inputs whatsoever. Their commitment to sustainability extends to their extraction process, which uses 100% renewable energy and recycles water to minimize environmental impact.

BioNica's silymarin is available in two forms: a 80% organic powder and a 75% organic liquid extract. Both are certified by the USDA, EU Organic, and Demeter (for biodynamic standards), making them ideal for brands targeting the premium organic market. Their powder is often used in vegan supplements and organic skincare lines, while the liquid extract is popular for herbal remedies and natural cosmetics. What sets their liquid extract apart is its use of organic glycerin as a preservative, making it alcohol-free and suitable for sensitive skin.

BioNica also offers a "Farm Partnership Program," where clients can sponsor a specific milk thistle field, receiving regular updates and photos from the farm throughout the growing season. This level of transparency has made them a favorite among mission-driven brands, who use the farm stories in their marketing to connect with eco-conscious consumers. "Our customers love knowing exactly where their silymarin comes from," says a natural skincare brand owner. "BioNica makes that connection easy." With MOQs of 15kg for powder and 5L for liquid extract, BioNica Organics is accessible to small and medium brands looking to align their products with their values.

Rounding out our list is Global Extract Trading Co. (GETC), a Managua-based trader with a global network and a knack for connecting buyers with the right silymarin solutions. Founded in 2010, GETC doesn't manufacture its own extracts but instead partners with Nicaragua's top silymarin producers—including some on this list—to offer clients a one-stop shop for all their silymarin needs. Whether you're looking for organic, pharmaceutical-grade, or bulk conventional silymarin, GETC can source it, negotiate the best price, and handle logistics, saving you time and effort.

What makes GETC invaluable is their market expertise. Their team monitors global silymarin prices and trends, helping clients make informed purchasing decisions—whether that means buying in bulk during harvest season to lock in lower prices or sourcing specialty grades for niche markets. They also offer flexible payment terms and can arrange for small sample orders (as low as 1kg) so clients can test quality before committing to larger purchases. For international buyers new to Nicaraguan suppliers, GETC acts as a trusted intermediary, handling language barriers, customs paperwork, and quality inspections.

GETC's client base spans the globe, from small health food stores in Canada to large pharmaceutical companies in Europe. Their most popular service is their "Custom Sourcing Package," where they work with clients to define their silymarin specifications (purity, form, certifications) and then match them with the best local producer. "GETC took the guesswork out of sourcing from Nicaragua," says a supplement brand owner based in Australia. "They found us a supplier who met our budget and quality standards, and handled everything from sampling to delivery." For businesses that want access to Nicaragua's top silymarin producers without the hassle of managing multiple relationships, GETC is the perfect partner.