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 Market
Update on Select Herbs
New
Update
Gentian (Gentiana lutea)
This bitter root is the main ingredient in apértif beverages
such as Campari and Angostura, which are extremely popular in
Europe. Demand for gentian is gradually increasing in the United
States as well. About half of the buyers we interviewed purchase
it. The price range is currently $4 to $6/kg for Eastern European
plant material.
Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa)
Conventionally grown hibiscus currently ranges in price from
$1 to $4/kg, but most buyers will not pay more than $2.40/kg.
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza
glabra)
In the United States, 90% of licorice is imported as an additive
for tobacco products or as a flavoring for candies and other
confections. Only a small percentage of imports are used by
the dietary supplement industry, in products for duodenal and
gastric ulcers, respiratory problems, adrenal weakness, and
other health conditions. Our sources told us they purchase preprocessed
licorice for $2.70/kg, root stick for $4/kg, and powdered licorice
for $2.15/kg.
Rooibos (Aspalathus
linearis)
The price range for rooibos is currently $2 to $4/kg.
St. John’s wort (Hypericum
perforatum)
Due to decreased demand and massive overproduction, St. John’s
wort is not faring any better than echinacea on the worldwide
market. One of our buyers stated that it is a "bid and
ask" situation. Maximum price is $2 to $6/kg, depending
on hypericin content, but most claimed the price is well below
$2/kg for conventionally grown St. John’s wort. Even certified
organic crops command only $6 to 8/kg, which is startlingly
close to the price of conventional crops just one year ago.
Last summer, Chilean farmers chose to burn their crops in the
field, rather than to harvest for such low prices.
Valerian (Valeriana
officinalis)
Every two to three years, valerian root is overproduced and
prices fall accordingly. This is the current state of the valerian
market, with prices ranging from $2 to $2.50/kg, compared to
prices of $8 to $9/kg two years ago. Organic valerian can bring
prices up to $5.50/kg.
Gotu kola (Centella
asiatica)
Over the past few months, the price for this herb has fallen
to $1 to $2/kg. Most of the gotu kola on the market is of very
poor quality. In fact, it is consistently referred to as a "dirty
herb" because it is so difficult to find an uncontaminated
source. (In India, gotu kola is commonly harvested from ditches
that are contaminated with heavy metals, pollutants, and other
harmful chemicals.). Buyers often resort to testing tons of
samples before finding one that passes their purity standards;
others have stopped buying gotu kola altogether. This plant
represents an opportunity for the production of clean material.
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Coming soon! A-SNAPP Update Goes to Print 