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

Milk thistle extract, celebrated for its silymarin content and liver-supporting properties, has become a staple in supplements, pharmaceuticals, and even skincare products worldwide. For businesses in Armenia and beyond, finding a reliable source of high-quality milk thistle extract is crucial—whether you're crafting herbal supplements, formulating pharmaceutical-grade remedies, or developing natural cosmetics. Armenia, with its rich botanical heritage and proximity to diverse herbal landscapes, has emerged as a hub for botanical extract production, including milk thistle. In this guide, we'll explore the top 10 milk thistle extract suppliers, manufacturers, wholesalers, and traders in Armenia, highlighting what makes each stand out and how they can meet your specific needs.

1. Armenian Herbal Extracts Co. (AHEC)

Founded in 2005, Armenian Herbal Extracts Co. (AHEC) has grown from a small local operation to one of Armenia's most trusted names in botanical extracts. Specializing in wild-harvested and organically cultivated herbs, AHEC places a strong emphasis on sustainability—their milk thistle is sourced from family farms in the Ararat Valley, where the climate and soil conditions yield plants with high silymarin concentrations (often 80% or higher in their standardized extracts).

What sets AHEC apart is their vertically integrated production process. From seed to extract, they control every step: cultivating milk thistle without synthetic pesticides, using cold-press extraction to preserve active compounds, and testing each batch in their in-house lab for purity and potency. Their product range includes milk thistle extract in powder (most popular for supplements), liquid (ideal for tinctures), and encapsulated forms, with bulk quantities available starting at 1kg up to full truckloads.

Key Strengths: Organic certified milk thistle extract, vertically integrated supply chain, in-house testing lab, bulk and small-batch options.

Target Industries: Nutraceuticals, herbal supplements, natural skincare.

Certifications: ISO 9001, GMP, EU Organic, USDA Organic.

Whether you're a startup needing a small trial batch or a large pharmaceutical company requiring consistent bulk supply, AHEC's flexibility and commitment to quality make them a top choice. Their customer service team, fluent in English, Russian, and Armenian, also offers personalized support to help clients navigate regulatory requirements for export markets.

2. Caucasus Botanicals Ltd.

Caucasus Botanicals Ltd. has carved a niche as Armenia's go-to supplier for pharmaceutical-grade milk thistle extract. Established in 2010, this Yerevan-based manufacturer focuses exclusively on high-purity botanical extracts for the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries, with milk thistle being their flagship product. Their state-of-the-art facility, located just outside the capital, is equipped with advanced CO2 extraction technology, which they claim results in extracts with fewer solvents and higher bioavailability compared to traditional methods.

Caucasus Botanicals prides itself on meeting strict international standards. Their milk thistle extract is standardized to 80% silymarin (the active flavonoid complex) and is often used in liver support supplements and prescription medications. They offer both conventional and organic options, with the latter certified by Ecocert. Bulk orders are their specialty—they work primarily with B2B clients, offering wholesale pricing for orders over 50kg, and can customize extracts based on specific silymarin percentages (e.g., 60%, 80%, or 90%) to meet unique formulation needs.

Key Strengths: Pharmaceutical-grade purity, CO2 extraction technology, customizable silymarin levels, large-scale bulk supply.

Target Industries: Pharmaceuticals, high-end nutraceuticals, research institutions.

Certifications: GMP, ISO 13485 (medical device standard), Ecocert Organic.

For businesses prioritizing clinical-grade quality and consistency, Caucasus Botanicals delivers. Their track record includes partnerships with European and Middle Eastern pharmaceutical companies, and they provide comprehensive documentation for each batch, including COA (Certificate of Analysis) and MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) to ensure compliance with global regulations.

3. Ararat Bulk Extracts

If you're in the market for cost-effective bulk milk thistle extract without compromising on quality, Ararat Bulk Extracts is worth considering. Founded in 2012, this wholesaler and trader focuses on large-volume supply, working with a network of local manufacturers and farmers to source milk thistle extract at competitive prices. While they don't produce extracts in-house, they act as a middleman with rigorous quality control—every batch they sell is third-party tested for silymarin content, heavy metals, and microbial contamination before being shipped.

Ararat Bulk Extracts specializes in powdered milk thistle extract, which is the most requested form for supplement manufacturers and food additive producers. Their minimum order quantity is 50kg, but they often handle orders of 500kg or more, making them ideal for large-scale operations. They also offer blended extracts, combining milk thistle with other liver-supporting herbs like dandelion or artichoke, which can save clients time and formulation costs.

Key Strengths: Competitive wholesale pricing, large bulk quantities, third-party testing, blended extract options.

Target Industries: Supplement manufacturers, food and beverage companies, animal feed producers.

Certifications: ISO 9001, Halal certified (for Middle Eastern markets).

What makes Ararat Bulk Extracts stand out is their logistical efficiency. With warehouses in Yerevan and Istanbul, they can ship to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East with short lead times (typically 3–5 days for regional orders). They also offer flexible payment terms for repeat clients, which is a plus for businesses managing cash flow.

4. Green Valley Extracts

Green Valley Extracts is a family-owned manufacturer with a focus on traditional extraction methods combined with modern quality standards. Located in the Lori Province, known for its lush forests and herbal diversity, they've been producing milk thistle extract since 2008, using a water-based maceration process that they argue preserves more of the plant's natural compounds compared to chemical solvents. While this method is slower, it results in extracts with a more complex phytochemical profile, which appeals to brands marketing "whole plant" or "full-spectrum" products.

Their milk thistle extract is available in both powder and liquid forms, with silymarin levels ranging from 60% to 80%. Green Valley also offers a unique "cold-pressed" milk thistle seed oil, rich in omega fatty acids, which is popular in natural skincare products for its anti-inflammatory properties. Small businesses often appreciate their low minimum order quantities (starting at 100g for trial orders), making it easy to test formulations without committing to large batches.

Key Strengths: Traditional water-based extraction, full-spectrum extracts, cold-pressed seed oil, low MOQ for small businesses.

Target Industries: Small-batch supplement brands, natural skincare, herbal tea companies.

Certifications: Organic (local Armenian certification), GMP compliant.

Green Valley prides itself on transparency—they welcome clients to visit their facility in Lori to see the extraction process firsthand, and they provide detailed harvest and extraction dates for each batch. This level of openness has helped them build a loyal customer base among eco-conscious and artisanal brands.

5. Armenian Pharma Extracts (APE)

Armenian Pharma Extracts (APE) is a specialized manufacturer catering to the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. With a focus on high-purity, research-grade extracts, they produce milk thistle extract with silymarin concentrations up to 95%, which is used in clinical trials and advanced pharmaceutical formulations. Their facility, located in the capital Yerevan, is GMP-certified and equipped with HPLC and GC-MS instruments for precise testing, ensuring each batch meets strict specifications.

APE's milk thistle extract is produced using a proprietary supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) method, which uses CO2 as a solvent to avoid residual chemicals. This results in a highly concentrated, solvent-free extract that's favored by pharmaceutical companies for its consistency. They also offer micronized milk thistle powder, which has a smaller particle size for better absorption in supplements and medications.

Key Strengths: Research-grade purity (up to 95% silymarin), SFE technology, micronized powder option, pharmaceutical certifications.

Target Industries: Pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, contract research organizations (CROs).

Certifications: GMP, ISO 17025 (laboratory accreditation), FDA-registered facility.

While APE's prices are higher than some bulk suppliers, their focus on pharmaceutical-grade quality makes them a critical partner for businesses in regulated industries. They also offer custom synthesis services, working with clients to develop unique milk thistle-based compounds for specific applications, such as liver disease treatments or anti-aging skincare actives.

6. Nature's Bounty Armenia

Nature's Bounty Armenia is a division of the global supplement brand, but their local production facility in Gyumri focuses exclusively on sourcing and extracting herbs native to the Caucasus region—including milk thistle. Leveraging the parent company's global resources, they combine international quality standards with local botanical expertise. Their milk thistle is grown on company-owned farms in the Shirak Province, where they implement regenerative agriculture practices to improve soil health and plant vitality.

Nature's Bounty Armenia offers a range of milk thistle extract products, including standardized powder (80% silymarin), chewable tablet formulations, and liquid extracts for direct consumer brands. What's unique about their approach is their focus on traceability—each bottle of extract can be traced back to the specific farm and harvest date via a QR code, appealing to consumers increasingly concerned about ingredient origins. They also prioritize sustainability, using 100% renewable energy in their extraction facility and recycling waste materials from the production process.

Key Strengths: Global brand backing, regenerative farming, traceable supply chain, consumer-ready formulations.

Target Industries: Branded supplement companies, health food retailers, private-label manufacturers.

Certifications: Non-GMO Project Verified, USDA Organic, B Corp certified (for social and environmental responsibility).

For businesses looking to align with sustainable and ethical sourcing practices, Nature's Bounty Armenia is a strong fit. Their ability to provide both bulk extracts and finished formulations (like tablets or gummies) also simplifies the production process for brands without manufacturing capabilities.

7. Yerevan Trading House (YTH)

Yerevan Trading House (YTH) is a well-established trader and exporter with over 20 years of experience in the Armenian botanical extract market. While they don't produce extracts themselves, they've built a reputation for connecting international buyers with reliable local manufacturers, acting as a trusted intermediary. YTH specializes in milk thistle extract, but they also offer a range of other Armenian herbs, making them a one-stop shop for businesses sourcing multiple botanical ingredients.

What makes YTH valuable is their deep network of partner manufacturers. They work with small-scale producers (like Green Valley Extracts) for artisanal, small-batch extracts and large factories (like Caucasus Botanicals) for bulk pharmaceutical-grade products. This allows them to match clients with the right supplier based on their needs—whether it's organic certification, specific silymarin levels, or budget constraints. They also handle all logistics, including export documentation, customs clearance, and shipping, which is a relief for international buyers unfamiliar with Armenian regulations.

Key Strengths: Vast supplier network, one-stop sourcing for multiple botanicals, export expertise, personalized matching service.

Target Industries: International supplement brands, cosmetic manufacturers, herbal tea companies.

Certifications: Member of the Armenian Chamber of Commerce, ISO 9001 (trading operations).

YTH's multilingual team (fluent in English, French, German, and Russian) is another asset, ensuring clear communication between buyers and suppliers. They also offer sample testing—providing small quantities of extract from multiple manufacturers so clients can compare quality before placing a large order.

8. Mountain Herbals

Mountain Herbals is a boutique manufacturer focusing on premium, organic milk thistle extract for the natural skincare and wellness markets. Founded in 2015 by a team of herbalists and cosmetic chemists, they've carved a niche by creating extracts specifically tailored for topical applications. Their milk thistle extract is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, making it popular in serums, creams, and masks targeting aging skin, acne, and redness.

Using a gentle ethanol extraction process, Mountain Herbals preserves the plant's natural oils and flavonoids, resulting in a golden-hued liquid extract that blends easily into cosmetic formulations. They also offer a water-soluble milk thistle powder, ideal for toners and sheet masks. What sets them apart is their focus on small-batch production—each batch is made by hand, allowing for careful quality control, and they limit annual production to ensure exclusivity for their clients.

Key Strengths: Cosmetic-grade extracts, small-batch artisanal production, water-soluble options, skincare formulation support.

Target Industries: Luxury skincare brands, natural beauty companies, spa product lines.

Certifications: COSMOS Organic, Ecocert, Leaping Bunny (cruelty-free).

Mountain Herbals also provides technical support to their clients, helping formulators optimize the use of milk thistle extract in their products (e.g., recommended concentrations, compatibility with other ingredients). This level of service has made them a favorite among indie skincare brands looking to create unique, effective products.

9. Armenian Nutraceuticals Group (ANG)

Armenian Nutraceuticals Group (ANG) is a vertically integrated manufacturer with a focus on innovation in botanical extracts. Established in 2013, they've invested heavily in research and development, partnering with Yerevan State University to study the bioactivity of milk thistle and develop new extraction techniques. Their latest innovation is a nano-encapsulated milk thistle extract, which they claim enhances absorption by up to 300% compared to standard extracts—making it ideal for supplements targeting poor gut absorption or for use in functional foods where bioavailability is key.

ANG offers a range of milk thistle products, including standard powder (80% silymarin), nano-encapsulated powder, and a ready-to-mix drink concentrate. They also produce private-label supplements for clients, handling everything from formulation to packaging. Their facility is GMP-certified and capable of large-scale production, with bulk extract orders starting at 100kg and finished supplements available in quantities from 10,000 to 1 million units.

Key Strengths: Innovative nano-encapsulated technology, R&D partnerships, private-label services, functional food formulations.

Target Industries: Nutraceutical companies, functional food and beverage brands, sports nutrition companies.

Certifications: GMP, ISO 22000 (food safety), NSF certified for sports supplements.

For businesses looking to differentiate their products with cutting-edge ingredients, ANG's nano-encapsulated milk thistle extract is a game-changer. They also offer clinical trial data supporting the efficacy of their enhanced extract, which can help brands market their products with science-backed claims.

10. Global Extracts Armenia

Rounding out our list is Global Extracts Armenia, a subsidiary of a Turkish conglomerate with a focus on exporting Armenian botanical extracts to global markets. With a modern facility in the Ararat Free Economic Zone (offering tax incentives for exporters), they specialize in bulk milk thistle extract production for international clients, particularly in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Their production capacity is among the largest in Armenia, with the ability to process over 500 tons of milk thistle seeds annually into extract.

Global Extracts Armenia uses a solvent-based extraction method (ethanol and hexane) for efficiency, producing high-yield extracts with silymarin levels of 80–85%. They offer both conventional and organic options, with the latter certified by EU Organic standards. Their key advantage is their global logistics network—they have warehouses in Rotterdam, Dubai, and Singapore, allowing for quick delivery to major markets, and they can handle complex shipping requirements, including temperature-controlled transport for liquid extracts.

Key Strengths: Large production capacity, global logistics network, competitive pricing for high-volume orders, multi-region warehousing.

Target Industries: Multinational supplement companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, large-scale food processors.

Certifications: ISO 9001, GMP, Kosher certified, EU Organic.

Global Extracts Armenia is ideal for businesses with high-volume needs and tight delivery timelines. Their parent company's financial stability also ensures consistent supply, even during market fluctuations, which is a reassuring factor for long-term partnerships.

Choosing the Right Milk Thistle Extract Supplier in Armenia

Armenia's milk thistle extract market offers something for every business, from small-batch artisanal producers to large-scale pharmaceutical manufacturers. The key is to align your needs with each supplier's strengths: if you prioritize organic and sustainable sourcing, Armenian Herbal Extracts Co. or Nature's Bounty Armenia are excellent choices. For pharmaceutical-grade purity, Caucasus Botanicals or Armenian Pharma Extracts lead the pack. Bulk buyers on a budget may prefer Ararat Bulk Extracts or Global Extracts Armenia, while skincare brands might lean toward Mountain Herbals for cosmetic-specific formulations.

Comparison at a Glance

Supplier Specialty Key Certifications Minimum Order
Armenian Herbal Extracts Co. Organic, sustainable, vertically integrated ISO 9001, GMP, EU Organic 1kg
Caucasus Botanicals Ltd. Pharmaceutical-grade, CO2 extraction GMP, ISO 13485, Ecocert 50kg
Ararat Bulk Extracts Cost-effective bulk supply ISO 9001, Halal 50kg
Green Valley Extracts Traditional water-based extraction, small batches Organic (local), GMP compliant 100g
Armenian Pharma Extracts Research-grade, high-purity (up to 95% silymarin) GMP, ISO 17025, FDA-registered 10kg

Ultimately, the best supplier for you will depend on your product goals, budget, and volume needs. Don't hesitate to request samples, visit facilities (if possible), and ask for references from other clients. With Armenia's growing reputation for high-quality botanical extracts, partnering with a local supplier can give your business access to premium milk thistle extract that stands out in a crowded market.

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