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Bitter Kola

High-value medicinal and pharmaceutical ingredient. Kolaviron-rich Garcinia kola for nutraceuticals and energy beverages.

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Overview

Bitter kola (Garcinia kola) is a tropical tree nut native to West Africa, valued for centuries in traditional medicine and now gaining serious attention from the global pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. The nut contains kolaviron, a biflavonoid compound that has shown anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties in over 200 published scientific studies.

Commercial demand is driven by the energy drink and functional beverage sector, which uses bitter kola extract as a natural stimulant, and the dietary supplement industry targeting immune support and anti-inflammatory products. Prices of $6,000-$10,000/MT reflect the limited supply and high extraction value of the active compounds.

Origin Direct sources bitter kola from farming communities across southern Ghana and Nigeria, where the Garcinia kola tree thrives in tropical forest zones. We supply both fresh and dried product, with strict moisture control and quality grading to meet pharmaceutical-grade buyer requirements.

Key Specifications

Parameter Specification
Botanical NameGarcinia kola
Active CompoundKolaviron (biflavonoid complex)
Forms AvailableFresh, sun-dried, powder
Moisture (dried)< 10%
Price Range$6,000 – $10,000/MT FOB
MOQ5 MT (limited supply commodity)
Packaging25 kg ventilated bags
HS Code0813.40

Frequently Asked Questions

What is bitter kola used for commercially?
Bitter kola (Garcinia kola) is used in pharmaceutical research for its kolaviron compound, which has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in clinical studies. Commercial applications include energy drink formulations, dietary supplements, traditional medicine exports, and pharmaceutical ingredient extraction. The European and North American nutraceutical industries are increasingly sourcing bitter kola for functional food products.
What is the wholesale price of bitter kola?
Wholesale bitter kola prices range from $6,000 to $10,000 per metric ton FOB Lagos/Tema, making it one of the higher-value West African export commodities. Pricing depends on freshness, moisture content, size grading, and seasonal availability. Peak harvest season (June-September) typically offers the most competitive pricing, while off-season prices can spike 30-40% due to limited shelf life.
How should bitter kola be stored and shipped?
Bitter kola is highly perishable and requires careful handling. Fresh bitter kola has a shelf life of 2-3 weeks at ambient temperature but can be extended to 3-4 months when properly dried to below 10% moisture. For export, we supply sun-dried bitter kola in ventilated 25 kg bags, shipped in ventilated containers. Cold chain shipping is available for fresh product to premium markets.

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