M. Shahbandeh
Research expert covering agriculture & FMCG
Spice and herb market - statistics & facts
Herbs and spices are incredibly diverse and are often used in cooking, for health, and other purposes. Leafy greens with aromatic or fragrant properties are generally herbs, and any other part of a plant, such as seeds, stems, or bark, are defined as spices. Demand for herbs and spices is increasing worldwide, leading to annual growth of 6.44 percent (CAGR 2023-2028) in market size. East Asia and North America each hold significant shares of the global herb and spice market accounting for 29 and 11 percent of the market, respectively. Although online sales of spices and herbs grew significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, direct selling are still the predominant sales channel, making up almost two-thirds of the global herbs and spices market.
Market opportunities in Europe
Europe is one of the main importers of herbs and spices worldwide, accounting for over a quarter of all herb and spice imports. Among the spices, ginger and turmeric have gained popularity for their health benefits. These are both roots that grow best in tropical regions, such as Southern India and Indonesia. Aside from imports to the U.S., Germany was the leading countries for turmeric imports in 2021, surpassing 15 million U.S. dollars in import value that year. In the same year, Germany was also the top importer of herbs and spices in Europe, with an import value of over 590 million euros.Germany’s emerging market
Being the top importer of herbs and spices in Europe, Germany’s consumption of spices has increased significantly in recent years . From 2015 to 2021, the annual consumption of unprocessed spices in Germany increased by over 30 thousand tons. Over 65 percent of consumers in the country are using dried spices and herbs several times a month, only beat by mustard as the most popular seasoning among consumers. Almost four million people in Germany use dried herbs and spices every day. However, over seven million people report never using dried herbs or spices, meaning the market in Germany may still have more opportunity to grow.
