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Goji berry

Goji berry suppliers and sourcing guide

Goji berry is the fruit of Lycium barbarum, a shrub in the nightshade family (Solanaceae) grown mainly in Ningxia and other parts of northwest China. Ripe berries are dried in the sun or in dryers and sold whole, or are juiced and spray dried, or extracted with water to concentrate the polysaccharides. Extracts are usually sold with a declared Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) percentage.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Lycium barbarum · wolfberry · gou qi zi · Fructus Lycii
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of goji berry

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Dried whole berries

    Sun- or machine-dried fruit sold by size grade (berries per 50 g), used in snacks, teas and bars.

  • Juice powder

    Pressed juice spray dried, often on a carrier such as maltodextrin.

  • Polysaccharide extract

    Water extract sold with a declared polysaccharide percentage, often 30% to 50%, by UV or gravimetric method.

  • Organic

    Berries or powder from certified organic farms, with the certificate tied to the lot.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Identity
Macroscopic examination for whole berries and HPTLC for powders to confirm Lycium barbarum and exclude L. chinense where specified.
Polysaccharide assay
Total polysaccharides by phenol-sulfuric acid UV or gravimetric method, with the method named.
Pesticides and sulfites
Multi-residue pesticide screen and sulfur dioxide, since dried berries are sometimes sulfited or heavily sprayed.
Heavy metals
Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS, checked against the buyer's limits and any Prop 65 exposure targets.
Microbiology
Total plate count, yeast and mold, coliforms or E. coli, and Salmonella. Raw powders carry more microbial load than extracts and are often steam treated.
Moisture and water activity
Moisture or water activity for dried berries, which sets mold risk and stickiness.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Keep dried berries in sealed, lined cartons in a cool, dry place away from light; they clump and darken in warm, humid storage. Powders are hygroscopic, so reseal opened containers promptly. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification.

Lots and expiry dates

Color, size, moisture and pesticide residues vary by origin and harvest, so record origin, size grade and residue results for each lot. Rotate stock FEFO and check moisture on older berry lots.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Goji berry suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking goji berry suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

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Frequently asked questions

What forms of goji berry can brands buy?

Common forms include dried whole berries, juice powder, polysaccharide extract and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for goji berry include?

Expect identity, polysaccharide assay, pesticides and sulfites, heavy metals, microbiology and moisture and water activity, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should goji berry be stored?

Keep dried berries in sealed, lined cartons in a cool, dry place away from light; they clump and darken in warm, humid storage. Powders are hygroscopic, so reseal opened containers promptly. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification.

What is the regulatory status of goji berry?

Health Canada's Traditional Chinese Medicine Ingredients monograph lists Lycium barbarum under gou qi zi, Fructus Lycii (the fruit), and under di gu pi, Cortex Lycii (the root bark). The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Lycium barbarum (POL-NF-00485) concerns only the berries and lists them as not novel in food.

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