Since 2000 Herbafrost have been active in the production of organic herbs. The company have two establishments: in Hulshout and in Vladslo. The most important herbs to be processed are: chives (rings and flakes), ransum (allium ursinum or wild garlic) imported from Eastern Europe, tarragon, shervil, coriander, garlic (pieces and blocks), organo, parsley, rosemary, rucola, sage, thyme, watercress and onions. The raw material mainly comes from a limited number of Belgian and Dutch organic companies, which specialize in these cultivations and with whom there is a long term cooperation.
In addition goods are also purchased in Italy and Eastern Europe. About 5 percent of the turnover of Herbafrost is organic. About 90 percent of the total turnover is exported. Clients are for an important part secondary processors, who use the herbs for amongst others (deep-frozen) pizza's, burgers and soups. Herbs are important for these processors and a healthy taste alternative for not so healthy fats, salt and sugars. It is expected that this substitution trend in the future will become even more important and that (organic) herbs will therefore also become more important. Also the retail is an important customer for organic herbs, mainly under a private label. In the Belgian retail for instance deep-frozen organic parsley, chives, basil and dill is being sold.
The deep-freeze line at Herbafrost is able to process between 1.5 and 2 tons per hour. The product is quicky deep-frozen at a very low temperature into a so-called IQF product (individually deep-frozen)
In order to meet the increasing demand Herbafrost is looking for open ground growers of organic basil (approx.5 HA - 12-15 tons/Ha), parsley, dill, watercress (approx.20 - approx 15 tons/HA), and rucola ( aprox.20 tons - 12 to 14 tons/HA.) They also look, be it to a lesser extent, for growers of sage and sorrel. The preference is for areas in the neighbourhood of the production areas in Hulshout (Kempen) and Vladslo (Diksmuide). This is important because of the logistic (e.g. harvesting machines) and to keep the quality of the product at its very best. The sowing seed will be supplied by Herbafrost and the time of sowing will be mutually decided on the basis of the time of harvesting.
In order to meet the increasing demand Herbafrost is looking for open ground growers of organic basil (approx.5 HA - 12-15 tons/Ha), parsley, dill, watercress (approx.20 - approx 15 tons/HA), and rucola ( aprox.20 tons - 12 to 14 tons/HA.) They also look, be it to a lesser extent, for growers of sage and sorrel. The preference is for areas in the neighbourhood of the production areas in Hulshout (Kempen) and Vladslo (Diksmuide). This is important because of the logistic (e.g. harvesting machines) and to keep the quality of the product at its very best. The sowing seed will be supplied by Herbafrost and the time of sowing will be mutually decided on the basis of the time of harvesting.
It is important that the product supplied is free of weeds. Before and during the cultivation and at the harvest analyses for heavy metals and protection means will be carried out. The contract price for the herbs is lower in general than for the same production the fresh market. Of course the volume is much bigger and everything can be delivered in one go. This increases the efficiency and therefore decreases the cost price.
Source: BioForum