Export of Herbs to the European Market

The EU has an enormous business potential in India and in other countries around the world to sell spices and herbs. India reportedly owns 48% of the World Spice Exchange, which cannot be viewed as a positive position.  Moreover, it’s just 44% of the worth aspect, on the other hand. In the next 10 years, it is expected to rise to the refined center of spices as an emerging market. India exports nearly 180 spice verities to more than 150 countries worldwide.

Of 109 spices in the world according to ISO, India produces nearly 75 distinct spices. Spices are grown in 2.9 million hectares in India. In India, a vast number of people live on this spice cultivation, and due to our country's climate; a lot of cultivation has become possible. Pepper, cardamom, coriander, ginger, and turmeric are the major grown and exported spices. Peppers have the main priority because of their large demand among these spices in the EU.

Demand for Spices and Herbs in Europe

In the 2014–2017 periods, the European imports of spices and herbs have witnessed constant growth. However, developing countries like India make up a large part of the imports. Especially good prospects are offered to leading importers Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Spain. Ginger, unpressed pepper, dried capsicum, Curcuma, cinnamon, and cloves have a great promise from the product perspective. Expectedly, these spices lead to a healthier lifestyle and thus these imports will continue to expand in the years ahead.

Which markets in Europe offer spices and herbs the most opportunities?

Well, so far, Germany is the main importer of spices and herbs in Europe. In 2018, the import volume of Germany amounted to € 515 million, or 20% of EU imports in general. Nearly 80% of these German imports were from developed countries, while imports from Europe hit nearly 20%.

Moving forward, in four years, France has developed into one of the main importers of spices in Europe, replacing the Netherlands, from developing countries. The annual average increase in French imports was over 25%. This growth was primarily triggered by the rise in Madagascar vanilla imports. France and Germany have dominated EU vanilla imports, and since 2011 a heavy rise in demand has led to a dramatic increase in the price of vanilla since 2012.

The Netherlands has traditionally been the world's top trader in spices. If the additional estimates had not included vanilla, the Netherlands would be after Germany making it the second-largest importer in Europe.

UK imports count for #4 for spices and herbs, but the UK imports are mostly intended for local markets, unlike Germany, the Netherlands, and France, and re-exports are minimal. Then comes Spain which is at position #5 for the top 5 EU spices and herbs importers. Spain is different from the top 4 since the imports from Europe are very poor.

In the comparatively big import markets of Germany, France, the Netherlands, the UK and Spain, as an Indian Exporter, you are still welcome to keep your choice. These markets are particularly attractive because of the mix of market size and high success record of developed countries.

Not only that, the Brexit (the UK quitting the European Union) has reduced the British Pound value. As a result, industry analysts say that, rather than purchasing from European importers, more British shoppers are starting to purchase directly from developed countries. However, because the situation is still smooth and uncertain, you should track developments closely.

What spices and herbs have the most demand on the European spice and herb market?

The most popular spices are ginger, uncrushed garlic, dried capsicum/pimento, and Curcuma. This is focused on the expectation that these products' good success since 2014 will continue in the years ahead. This is at least a rational inference since these spices are believed to aid in the maintenance of a balanced lifestyle.

The same can be said for spices like cinnamon and cloves, which are traded in smaller quantities but still, have promise.

Below is a more detailed breakdown of European imports by commodity, broken down into three categories:

1.      Big trade volumes of over 10,000 tones;

2.      medium-sized trade volumes of 1,000 to 10,000 tones;

3.      and limited trade volumes of less than 1,000 tones.

What conditions do spices and herbs meet in order to be sold in Europe?

All herbs and spices exported to Europe must be deemed healthy to eat. Additives must be licensed, hazardous chemicals are forbidden, and food packaging information is strictly controlled. Importers' private demands have been almost as relevant as required specifications.  Complying with food protection, efficiency, and environmental requirements are among them. Exporters must keep a close eye on the competition because requirements change constantly. Nearly 80 different pesticide residues, for example, saw their rules updated in 2019.

The European Food Protection Authority (EFSA) is in charge of implementing national food safety regulations and providing a system for official food controls.

The ‘Farm to Fork' method is the cornerstone of this rule. This means that all food, including exporters from developed nations, must be traceable across the entire supply chain. To do so, all food-service operators must integrate the Threat Analysis of Essential Control Points (HACCP) framework into their everyday operations.

Nonetheless, only a limited portion of the goods manufactured and sold in Europe are subject to official (physical) restrictions, since industrial operators, such as importers, bear primary responsibility for their protection. Importers will also perform the bulk of the requisite tests to ensure that the commodity is safe like demanding certificates of quality and sanity.

On the European Commission's website, keep up to date with updates on controls by visiting the Official Controls Regulation.

In addition, the European Union has placed in place rigorous and systematic steps to eliminate toxins in food. The European Commission Legislation defines limit thresholds for particular pollutants in food. This legislation is regularly revised, and in addition to the general food limits, there are also limits on a number of particular items.

Microbiological pollutants, mycotoxins, and pesticide residues are the most important requirements for contaminants in spices and herbs.

In shipments of spices and herbs to the European market, there is no official cap for international bodies. Most European buyers create their own specifications or adhere to the American Spice Trade Association's cleanliness guidelines (ASTA). The maximum prevalence of dead organisms, excreta, molds, and other foreign matter is described by ASTA's cleanliness specification.

Indian Exporters should use preventative steps such as heat control or fumigation to avoid pest pollution. Can use fumigants that have been licensed by the government. In the European Union, fumigants such as methyl bromide and ethylene oxide are prohibited. To stop contamination of foreign bodies, optical, ceramic, and related detectors should be used. Also, if detectors are mounted, manual sorting and eye-hand monitoring are still recommended.

Taking steps to reduce the risk of microbiological contaminants

Salmonella is the most common microbiological contaminant present in spices and herbs.

Salmonella is often spread to spices and herbs by the use of contaminated water, untreated manure as fertilizer, and/or harvesting with dirty hands. In addition, in areas where the drying process is carried out in the open air, animals or birds can become infected with salmonella (often directly on the ground).

For such items, the European regulation on microbiological standards for foods sets limits for pathogenic microorganisms, their poisons, and metabolites, but does not set limits for spices.

To ensure food protection in terms of pathogen microorganisms, exporters should engage in heat sterilization, such as with saturated steam at 121°C. Heat sterilization is favored by European buyers because it is safe, solvent- and radiation-free. You should use the services of a third party in Europe to do the important heat treatment according to your customer's specifications because heat treatment equipment is a capital investment.

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