If you've ever reached for a liver support supplement, chances are you've encountered silymarin. Derived from the seeds of the milk thistle plant (
Silybum marianum
), this powerful flavonoid complex has earned a reputation as a natural guardian for liver health, thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. But silymarin's uses don't stop there—you'll find it in skincare products for its soothing effects, in pharmaceuticals for liver-focused formulations, and even in functional foods aimed at holistic wellness. As demand for natural, plant-based ingredients surges, finding reliable silymarin suppliers has become a top priority for businesses across industries. And when it comes to quality and reliability, Portugal has emerged as a hidden gem in the global botanical extract market.
Nestled in Southern Europe, Portugal boasts a climate ideal for growing milk thistle, with sunny days and well-drained soils in regions like the Alentejo and Ribatejo. Its strong agricultural heritage, combined with strict quality regulations and a focus on sustainable sourcing, makes it a trusted hub for botanical extracts. Whether you're a supplement brand looking for bulk silymarin powder, a cosmetic formulator seeking high-purity extract, or a pharmaceutical company in need of GMP-certified raw materials, Portugal's silymarin suppliers offer a mix of expertise, tradition, and innovation. In this guide, we'll explore the top 10 silymarin suppliers, manufacturers, wholesalers, and traders in Portugal, helping you find the perfect partner for your business needs.
Why Silymarin Matters: A Quick Overview
Before diving into the suppliers, let's take a moment to appreciate why silymarin has become such a sought-after ingredient. For decades, it's been studied for its ability to support liver function by protecting liver cells from toxins and promoting regeneration. This makes it a staple in supplements targeting liver detox, fatty liver, and overall hepatic wellness. But its benefits extend beyond the liver: silymarin's antioxidant properties help fight free radicals, making it a popular addition to anti-aging skincare products. It's also used in hair care for its potential to strengthen follicles and in functional beverages as a natural wellness booster. With such a wide range of applications, the quality of silymarin extract matters—and that's where Portugal's suppliers shine.
What to Look for in a Silymarin Supplier
Not all silymarin suppliers are created equal. When choosing a partner, consider factors like
sourcing practices
(local, organic, or sustainable),
certifications
(ISO, GMP, organic),
purity levels
(silybin content, often 80% or higher for pharmaceuticals), and
customer support
(custom formulations, bulk pricing, fast delivery). Many of Portugal's top suppliers excel in these areas, combining traditional farming knowledge with modern extraction techniques to deliver consistent, high-quality products. Now, let's meet the key players.
Top 10 Silymarin Suppliers in Portugal
1. GreenHarvest Portugal
Founded in 2005 in the heart of the Alentejo region, GreenHarvest Portugal is a family-run manufacturer with deep roots in botanical extraction. What sets them apart? Their vertically integrated model: they grow their own milk thistle on 200 hectares of organic-certified farms, ensuring full control from seed to extract. Specializing in high-purity silymarin (up to 90% silybin content), they cater to pharmaceutical and nutraceutical clients worldwide. Their GMP-certified facility uses cold-press extraction to preserve active compounds, and they offer both standard and custom formulations, including oil-soluble and water-soluble extracts for cosmetics. GreenHarvest also prides itself on sustainability—their farms use rainwater harvesting and crop rotation to minimize environmental impact. Clients praise their transparency, with batch-specific COA (Certificate of Analysis) and MSDS reports available on request.
2. Lisbon Extracts Co.
A leading wholesaler and trader, Lisbon Extracts Co. has been connecting global buyers with Portugal's finest botanical extracts since 2010. While they don't grow milk thistle themselves, they partner with a network of 15 small-scale farmers in the Ribatejo region, ensuring fair trade practices and traceable sourcing. Their focus is on bulk supply, offering silymarin powder in 25kg drums, as well as milk thistle extract in liquid and encapsulated forms. They're known for their competitive pricing and fast turnaround times—most orders ship within 48 hours for EU clients. Lisbon Extracts Co. holds ISO 9001 certification and works closely with third-party labs to test for heavy metals, pesticides, and microbial contamination. If you're a supplement brand needing consistent bulk supply, this is a go-to partner.
3. Porto Bioactives
Porto Bioactives is a manufacturer with a focus on innovation. Located in Portugal's second-largest city, they specialize in advanced extraction technologies, including supercritical CO2 extraction, which produces silymarin with minimal solvent residue. This makes their extracts ideal for high-end cosmetics and pharmaceutical applications. Porto Bioactives also offers organic-certified silymarin, sourced from biodynamic farms in northern Portugal. Their team of food scientists works with clients to develop custom formulations, such as silymarin-enriched powders for protein supplements or liquid extracts for skincare serums. With a strong focus on R&D, they're constantly exploring new applications for silymarin, from pet supplements to functional snacks.
4. Algarve Natural Extracts
For those prioritizing sustainability and ethical sourcing, Algarve Natural Extracts is a standout choice. Based in the sunny Algarve region, they work exclusively with smallholder farmers who use traditional, chemical-free farming methods. Their silymarin extract is certified organic by the EU's ECOCERT and USDA Organic, appealing to brands targeting the natural and clean-label markets. Algarve Natural Extracts focuses on wholesale supply, offering bulk quantities (from 1kg to 1000kg+) of silymarin powder and liquid extract. They also provide comprehensive documentation, including soil test reports and farmer profiles, for clients looking to tell a transparent sourcing story. Their customer service team is multilingual, supporting clients in English, Spanish, and French.
5. Coimbra Botanicals
With over 30 years in the industry, Coimbra Botanicals is one of Portugal's most established botanical extract manufacturers. Located in the historic city of Coimbra, they combine traditional herbalism with modern manufacturing to produce silymarin extract trusted by pharmaceutical giants and small supplement brands alike. Their facility is GMP-certified, and they adhere to strict quality control protocols, testing every batch for silybin content, heavy metals, and microbiological purity. Coimbra Botanicals offers a range of silymarin products, including standard extract (80% silybin), micronized powder for better absorption, and standardized milk thistle extract (which includes other beneficial compounds from the plant). They also provide private labeling services, making it easy for brands to launch their own silymarin supplements.
6. Braga Trading Partners
If you're looking for a global trader with deep roots in Portugal, Braga Trading Partners is worth considering. Based in Braga, a city known for its commercial history, they import and export botanical extracts, with a focus on silymarin and milk thistle products. While they don't manufacture in-house, they partner with top Portuguese manufacturers (including some on this list) to source high-quality extract, then distribute it to clients in Europe, North America, and Asia. Braga Trading Partners excels in logistics, offering flexible shipping options (air, sea, road) and competitive bulk pricing for large orders. They also provide market insights, helping clients navigate regulatory requirements in different regions (e.g., EU's Novel Food regulations or FDA guidelines for supplements).
7. Aveiro Wellness Ingredients
Aveiro Wellness Ingredients is a niche supplier specializing in functional ingredients for the health and wellness industry, with silymarin as their flagship product. Located in the coastal city of Aveiro, they focus on high-purity extracts, with silybin levels up to 95% for pharmaceutical applications. Their state-of-the-art lab conducts in-house testing using HPLC and UV-Vis spectroscopy to ensure batch consistency. What makes them unique? They offer
traceable sourcing
: clients can track their silymarin from the specific farm where the milk thistle was grown to the extraction facility, thanks to a blockchain-based tracking system. This level of transparency is a hit with brands prioritizing authenticity and quality storytelling. Aveiro also offers sample sizes (as small as 100g) for R&D purposes, making it easy for startups to test formulations.
8. Faro BioExtracts
Faro BioExtracts is a family-owned manufacturer with a passion for traditional extraction methods. Based in Faro, the capital of the Algarve, they've been producing silymarin extract using ethanol-based maceration for over 20 years—a method they believe preserves the plant's natural complexity better than harsh chemical extractions. While their process is traditional, their quality control is modern: they're ISO 22000 certified for food safety and regularly audit their suppliers to ensure ethical farming practices. Faro BioExtracts caters primarily to the food and beverage industry, offering silymarin extract for use in functional drinks, energy bars, and even herbal teas. Their most popular product is a water-soluble silymarin powder, designed to blend seamlessly into beverages without altering taste or texture.
9. Viseu Natural Powders
Viseu Natural Powders is all about versatility. Located in the mountainous region of Viseu, they specialize in bulk botanical powders, including silymarin powder, milk thistle seed powder, and blended herbal powders. While they don't produce liquid extracts, their silymarin powder is known for its high solubility and consistent particle size, making it easy to incorporate into tablets, capsules, and topical formulations. They offer both conventional and organic options, with silybin content ranging from 50% (for cosmetic use) to 80% (for supplements). Viseu Natural Powders prides itself on affordability, making it a favorite among small to medium-sized businesses looking for high-quality ingredients without breaking the bank. They also offer fast delivery within Europe, with most orders arriving within 3–5 business days.
10. Setubal Global Traders
Rounding out our list is Setubal Global Traders, a trading company with a focus on connecting Portuguese manufacturers with international buyers. Based in Setubal, a major port city, they leverage their logistics expertise to export silymarin extract to over 30 countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, and Brazil. Setubal Global Traders works with a network of GMP-certified manufacturers, ensuring that clients receive products that meet global quality standards. They offer a range of silymarin formats, from crude extract to refined powder, and can arrange for custom packaging (foil pouches, drums, or retail-ready bottles). What clients love most is their personalized service: dedicated account managers help navigate import/export regulations, handle documentation, and negotiate bulk pricing, making international sourcing a breeze.
Comparing the Top Suppliers: At a Glance
To help you quickly compare your options, here's a snapshot of the key strengths of each supplier:
| Supplier Name | Focus | Key Certifications | Specialties | Target Clients |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GreenHarvest Portugal | Manufacturer | Organic, GMP | Vertically integrated (own farms), cold-press extraction | Pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals |
| Lisbon Extracts Co. | Wholesaler/Trader | ISO 9001 | Bulk supply, fast EU delivery | Supplement brands, cosmetic formulators |
| Porto Bioactives | Manufacturer | GMP, Organic | Supercritical CO2 extraction, custom formulations | Cosmetics, high-end supplements |
| Algarve Natural Extracts | Manufacturer | ECOCERT, USDA Organic | Sustainable sourcing, transparent supply chain | Natural/clean-label brands |
| Coimbra Botanicals | Manufacturer | GMP, ISO | Established (30+ years), private labeling | Pharmaceuticals, large supplement brands |
| Braga Trading Partners | Trader | N/A (partners with certified mfrs) | Global distribution, market insights | International buyers |
| Aveiro Wellness Ingredients | Manufacturer | GMP | High-purity (95% silybin), blockchain traceability | Pharmaceuticals, R&D labs |
| Faro BioExtracts | Manufacturer | ISO 22000 | Traditional ethanol extraction, food/beverage applications | Functional food brands, herbal tea companies |
| Viseu Natural Powders | Manufacturer | Organic (optional) | Soluble powders, affordable pricing | Small-medium supplement brands |
| Setubal Global Traders | Trader | N/A (partners with certified mfrs) | International export, logistics expertise | Global buyers (US, Canada, Brazil, etc.) |
Conclusion: Finding Your Perfect Silymarin Partner
Portugal's silymarin suppliers offer a wealth of options, whether you're seeking organic, high-purity extract for pharmaceuticals, bulk powder for supplements, or sustainable raw materials for cosmetics. From family-run farms to global trading companies, each supplier brings unique strengths—whether it's traceable sourcing, cutting-edge extraction, or personalized customer service. By prioritizing quality, certifications, and alignment with your business needs, you'll find a partner that not only delivers top-tier silymarin but also helps your brand thrive in a competitive market. So, whether you're formulating the best silymarin supplement or creating the next breakthrough skincare product, Portugal's suppliers are ready to support your journey—one milk thistle extract at a time.



