British company Organic Herb Trading celebrates 40 years of growing and sourcing organic

In May 2022, Somerset based Organic Herb Trading celebrates 40 years of growing, sourcing and supplying the UK’s largest range of high-quality botanicals for a diverse range of customers in the herbal tea, food, skincare and medicinal markets around the world, including Pukka Herbs, Neal’s Yard Remedies,…

"Our CEA grown basil nearly a dollar less per ounce than field-grown organic produce"

Soli Organic's brand-new line of USDA-certified organic 'Indolce' basil is landing on produce aisle shelves in over 2,000 select stores across more than 15 Mid-Atlantic distribution centers. Soli Organic is the nation's only soil-based, controlled environment agriculture company delivering 100%…

Varietal innovation for the Italian basil Gentile

As a result of its genetic improvement research on basil, SAIS Seeds has obtained Gentile (sa 1164), a protected variety, a Genovese-type basil characterized by leaf shape, plant vigor, and productivity that make it suitable to flank the Superbo and Gecom varieties in a wide variety of growing conditions…

The world's best digestive bitter is Sicilian

Amaro Amara, a digestive bitter made with PGI Red Orange of Sicily has received a prestigious recognition from the World Liqueur Awards, ranking first in the world. “We are proud of the award we received during the World Liqueur Awards competition by the Sicilian company, which was created by our…

Western Kenya farmer finds export markets for herbs

A farming revolution is taking shape in Siaya County of Western Kenya, chaperoned by a former civil servant who has transformed swathes of traditionally unfarmed land into an oasis of herbs and spices. The herbs and spices farming has captured international markets while creating a new age farming…

“Freight costs change weekly, so fresh herb prices from Israel to customers have to change”

The weekly changes in airfreight costs make it challenging for Israel-based exporter Bless S.R. Ltd to offer stable prices of fresh herbs to clients in Eastern Europe and Asia. The unpredictable freight costs due to the Russian war in Ukraine also influence the edible flowers they export to Asia. The…

"Herbs have evolved from a niche product to a highly competitive market segment"

For about 80 years, the production and own marketing of leafy vegetables and herbs have been the core competence of the Steinki family business in Korsenbroich. However, the fierce competition from cheaper imported goods from southern Europe makes the general marketing conditions more difficult. Added to…

Bio Gartenbaubetrieb Rankers GmbH

"Buying herbs grown sustainably and locally can do good in more ways than one"

In the greenhouse of the Rankers family business in Straelen, numerous organic potted herbs grow and thrive, which are offered to the German trade under the label 'La'Bio'. "We have many regular customers who not only care about a sustainable product, but also about the farm and the production behind…

Small-scale farmers focus on Kenyan herbs and spices for export

To many small-scale farmers, exporting their produce sounds like a far fetched dream or a preserve for the rich who can grow different types of crops in tons. The same goes…

There is a lack of sage and rosemary in the European market

"Since the beginning of this year, there has been a strong demand for sage and rosemary from the European market. It seems that those herbs are hard to find this year. There is still a shortage of them. Due to the high demand, we have sought new suppliers for these products and have strengthened our…

Working in a data-driven way in the herb segment

Expanding and standing out with fresh herbs: That is what Vitalicious, Vitacress Real's herb brand, aimed at the foodservice sector, focuses on. They use market data to provide customers with targeted advice and inspiration. Which fresh herbs should chefs use, and how often should they use them? What do they…

"Herb towers create an experience"

Herbs are not merely a seasoning; they also create an experience. The Dutch start-up, the LIF Group, is using herb towers to capitalize on this. They work with W&L Groenservice, which supplies potted herbs for the towers. "We can deliver about 50 species of herbs along with a range of edible flowers. The…

How are herbs faring on the Dutch market?

In the Dutch retail sector, the same five herbs have been best sellers for years (see table). The global pandemic increased the use of jarred and packaged herbs, and total supermarket sales of herbs, ginger, and sprouts remained level in 2021. That is according to data from GroentenFruit Huis. Most notable…

Modular herb cultivation concept: local-for-local and super fresh

How do you sustainably increase fresh herb availability? That is the question Upfarm got to work answering and thus introduced a unique cultivation concept for in-store and restaurant cultivation. "We bring technology and the fresh, local, and experience trends together," says owner Lode Lauwers.   The greenhouses have their…

Frog from Ethiopia makes 6,000-mile trip in bag of mint

Recently, a surprised customer found a frog that took a 6,000-mile trip from Africa to Northumberland in a bag of fresh mint. The little animal was discovered after being sold…

"Display enables nice placement of herbs and optimal brand presentation"

In modern food retailing, sustainable and inexpensive store concepts are more in demand than ever. To meet the high demands in terms of product presentation, the Troisdorf-based company Eco-Retail Ltd has developed a modern presentation display for herbs. The process is designed to enable optimum product and brand presentation and thus significantly boost sales, c…

Tarragon introduced at Fratelli Cafaro 1989

Tarragon is the new product part of the range of Fratelli Cafaro 1989, a company located in Eboli (Salerno). Each year the company, which is already growing 8 products (rosemary, sage, thyme, mint, dill, coriander, smooth and curly parsley), widens its range of products available all year round. The…

Farm pushed through pandemic, now plans expansion

“We are currently putting together a prospectus to attract investors. This will allow us to build more farms, not only here in Australia, but also abroad. Our metrics show that we can build, grow, and operate more efficiently than any greenhouse,” says Tyrone Dickson, Co-founder of April Sun Farms. The…

"A little more appreciation for regional products is imperative"

Rising costs on the part of production are causing considerable hardship for many growers, especially those involved in greenhouse cultivation. Rising minimum wages, energy prices and other additional costs also dominate everyday conversations at the Munich growers' hall at the local wholesale market,…

UK: "Building our own plant factories allows us to compete with imported produce"

The Scunthorpe farm was set up in 2018, and ever since, JFC has never turned off the lights of production. It took CEO James Lloyd Jones about 1.5 years to get everything right, from an ROI, product quality and consistency aspect. Starting at scale made if affordable to keep up production. The 5000m2…

Increased sales for an Apulian exporter

"Within hours of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we saw an increase in orders from Poland and other foreign countries, such as the Baltics and Scandinavia. We have no major concerns about sales at the moment, even though there is tension and uncertainty in the European markets. Many people have flocked…

No demand for Georgian apples and aromatic herbs in Russia

Due to Russia’s armed invasion in Ukraine, Georgian farmers faced difficulties exporting seasonal fruits and aromatic herbs to Russia. After Russia invaded Ukraine last week,…

"Electricity prices this past winter were in some cases devastating"

Springtime is herbs time. But in the greenhouse facilities of the Lemberghof nursery in the Stuttgart area, fresh Bioland potted herbs grow and thrive all year round for the southern German trade. "However, the classic sales peaks are still concentrated on the Christmas and Easter holidays as well as…

Organic herb consumption picks up

Demand for organic herbs continues to grow. “In general there have been sufficient herbs but there seems to be a higher demand for organic herbs and there hasn’t been enough availability for all of that demand. That demand has grown faster than the supply,” says Camilo Penalosa of Infinite Herbs in…

For the first time in Europe, a trade fair dedicated to spices and herbs

On a global scale, spices are worth around 18-20 billion dollars, with an estimated growth rate of around +4/5% per year and can also represent a valid alternative for Italian fruit and vegetable companies. The topic was addressed during the press conference of the Macfrut Spices & Herbs Global Expo held…