Fresh Herbs Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Basil, Chives, Coriander, Parsley, Mint, Salicornia, and Others), By Application (Food Service and Food Retail), and Regional Forecast to 2033

FRESH HERBS MARKET OVERVIEW

The global Fresh Herbs Market size was USD 249.05 million in 2025 and is projected to touch USD 490.86 million by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 29.2% during the forecast period.

The international market for fresh herbs has continued stable development over the last ten years due to increased consumer awareness of the health effects of natural ingredient consumption and vegetarian diets. Coriander, parsley, basil, and mint fresh herbs are no longer exclusive to their ethnic cuisines; they are now an integral part of health-oriented lifestyles. The market is increasing exponentially in the food retail as well as the food service sector, as consumers and restaurants search for fresh and fragrant herbs for flavour as well as nutrition. Moreover, rising urban farming and organic agriculture practices have further fuelled demand. As the population of the world moves towards healthy and sustainable dietary patterns, the market for fresh herbs is projected to increase in a steady rate in the future.

GLOBAL CRISES IMPACTING THE FRESH HERBS MARKET RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR IMPACT

"Fresh Herbs Market Had a Negative Effect Due To Instability in the Worldwide Supply Chain during the Russia-Ukraine War"

The Russia-Ukraine war has had immense indirect effects on the fresh herbs business, that is, in supply chain disruption and inflationary force. Ukraine is a key agricultural hub in Eastern Europe, although not a major fresh herb exporter, but the war has significantly imposed pressure on logistics corridors that support the overall European herb supply chain. Increased fuel costs and logistical limitations have added to rising transport costs, which have in turn affected prices of perishable goods like fresh herbs. In addition, the shift of agricultural focus to staple crops in affected regions has led to reduced attention on specialty crops like herbs. However, some markets found resilience through imports from other regions and the growth of localized production, which served to somewhat counterbalance the supply-demand balance in the second half of the conflict period.

LATEST TREND

"Increasing Application of Indoor and Vertical Farming to Drive Market Growth"

One of the most powerful trends reshaping the fresh herbs market is the increasing application of indoor and vertical farming. These advanced agricultural technologies facilitate year-round continuous growth of herbs in closed environment, substantially decreasing dependence on seasonal outdoor crops and traditional outdoor production. Companies are making investments in artificial intelligence-regulated intelligent greenhouses, hydroponics, and soilless cultivation technology that regulate temperature, humidity, and light intensity to maximize crops. This is adding to amounts of high-quality, pesticide-free herbs sold in urban markets. Indoor production not only enhances supply chain stability but also complements the growing demand from consumers for fresh locally produced fruits and vegetables with a lighter carbon imprint.

FRESH HERBS MARKET SEGMENTATION

BY TYPE

Based on type, the global market is categorised into Basil, Chives, Coriander, Parsley, Mint, Salicornia, and Others.

• Basil: Basil remains one of the most popular herbs globally due to its versatility from Italian through Thai food. Its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory compounds also make it a favourite among health-conscious consumers. Demand for fresh basil has soared together with pesto and infused oil popularity.

• Chives: Chives are utilized primarily as a garnish and flavor agent, particularly in North American and European cooking. Chives carry a mild onion taste and are used due to the fact that they provide freshness and color to most foods. Although a specialty market, chives are being used more often in gourmet restaurants.

• Coriander: Coriander or cilantro is a widely used spice in Asian, Latin American, and Middle Eastern food. Its dual use—leaves and seeds—is driving its demand. Globalization of food culture over the last few years has promoted the usage of coriander even in Western nations.

• Parsley: Parsley is worth it not just for food use but also for detoxification value and high vitamin C content. Parsley is increasingly used in juices as well as health-conscious meal preparations, thus contributing its market share to grow in the retail sector.

• Mint: Mint is still very popular for food as well as medicinal use. It is a favourite beverage flavour, dessert ingredient, and tea flavour due to its refreshing flavour. Its usage is also on the rise in natural personal care and pharma, expanding its consumer base.

• Salicornia: Salicornia, or sea asparagus, is a quick-growing herb with a salty flavour and high mineral content. Though still a niche product, it is gaining popularity in upscale restaurants and among fitness enthusiasts for its unique flavour and nutritional content.

• Others: Others include herbs like tarragon, dill, oregano, and rosemary. These are regionally favoured but collectively are contributing to the diversification of the market, especially through home cooking and ethnic food.

BY APPLICATION:

Based on application, the global market is categorised into Food Service and Food Retail.

• Food Service: The Food Service segment dominates the Fresh Herbs market with bulk volume buys at restaurants, hotels, and catering establishments. Chefs prefer fresh herbs over dried herbs because of their improved taste and appearance. The post-pandemic restaurant renaissance has boosted spurts in this segment, with the demand for a wide variety of herbs gaining momentum.

• Food Retail: The Food Retail segment has recorded substantial growth driven by growing popularity of home preparation and health-driven food. Greater availability of higher varieties of pack-aged fresh herbs is being maintained in supermarkets as well as in convenience stores, and online food ordering and home delivery services are improving convenience. Consumer awareness for fresh ingredients is maintaining segment expansion.

MARKET DYNAMICS

Market dynamics include driving and restraining factors, opportunities and challenges stating the market conditions.

DRIVING FACTORS

"Growing Trend Towards Plant-Based Diets Enhancing Market Growth"

Among the key drivers of the market for fresh herbs is the growing trend towards plant-based diets. Customers are enthusiastically reducing their meat intake and substituting it with natural plant foods. Fresh herbs provide flavour to vegetarian foods, and this makes them more appealing. This trend is significantly common in urban settings where sustainability and wellness are a priority.

"Higher Disposable Income And Changing Food Habits In Developing Nations To Boost Market Growth"

The second significant driver is higher disposable income and changing food habits in developing nations. With more middle-class segments increasing, their willingness to pay for quality ingredients too rises. World food culture has led these shoppers to experiment with new foods from around the world, thus furthering the application of herbs. Urbanization too has witnessed expanded supermarket and gourmet food store penetration, which facilitates greater access to fresh herbs.

RESTRAINING FACTOR

"Product Perishability To Potentially Impede Market Growth"

Despite the positive prediction, the fresh herb market has a significant disadvantage in terms of product perishability. Fresh herbs are short-lived, and storage and transportation are therefore difficult without advanced cold chain infrastructure. Where such infrastructure does not exist, there is considerable spoilage, which leads to losses and loss of market efficiency. This limits market expansion, especially in rural and remote areas.

OPPORTUNITY

"Increasing Need for Organic Herbs To Create Opportunity for the Product in the Market"

An exciting prospect is present in the increasing need for organic herbs. With individuals turning out to be more health- and eco-friendly, they are moving towards organically grown products free from synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. This is giving rise to new business opportunities for small-farmers and start-ups who are involved in sustainable farming. Governments and individual investors are also investing in terms of grants and technology, providing a good environment for innovation and development of organic herb farming.

CHALLENGE

"Cultivation of the Herbs Could be a Potential Challenge for Consumers"

There is a recurring challenge in the market for fresh herbs that is seasonality in the cultivation of the herbs, which impacts the consistency of supply. The majority of the herbs can only grow in specific climatic conditions and at specific seasons, leading to uneven availability and volatility in prices. While indoor farming can act as a solution, it calls for tremendous amounts of capital to invest, hence being less attractive to small and medium-scale producers. Keeping costs low while maintaining supply year-round is still one of the largest challenges for the industry.

FRESH HERBS MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

• North America:

Within North America, there is a good market for fresh herbs based on high usage rates across food service as well as home cooking. Californian production precedes other production in herb production, taking advantage of the favourable climate as well as the high degree of agricultural practice. Large players within the U.S. are establishing sustainable farming programs and expanding lines to stay ahead of demand.

• Europe:

Europe has a major share of the global market due to its historic tradition of gastronomy and culture for using top-quality ingredients. Italy, France, and the Netherlands are a few of the countries with fully developed herb-farming industries. The emphasis in the EU on clean labels and traceable origins is also driving the growth in organic and domestic herbs.

• Asia:

In Asia, countries like India, China, and Thailand are big consumers and producers of such herbs as coriander and mint. With the popularity of Asian cuisine in the global market, export markets have significantly improved. Increased demand due to increased awareness of the health benefits has also led to more demand from within. Governments in the region supporting horticulture has further boosted the market.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

"Key Industry Players Shaping the Market Through Innovation and Market Expansion"

Major players in the market for fresh herbs are Vitacress, Rocket Farms, Shanley Farms, Infinite Herbs, and Bonnie Plants, among others. These players are strategically investing in partnerships, organic cultivation, and retail network expansion to maintain their position in the market. For instance, Vitacress has invested heavily in vertical integration and technology to improve the quality and consistency of their herbs. A majority of companies are also diversifying their product ranges by introducing packaged herbs, organics, and pre-prepared food blends in response to changing consumer preferences.

LIST OF TOP INTRUSION DETECTION SYSTEMS (IDS) COMPANIESCOMPANIES

• Spisa Group (Sweden)
• Vitacress (U.K.)
• Van Vugt Kruiden (Netherlands)
• Rocket Farms (U.S.)
• Nomad Foods (U.K.)
• Pacific Botanicals (U.S.)
• Shenandoah Growers, Inc. (U.S.)
• Langmead Herbs (U.K.)
• Organic Herb Trading Company (U.K.)
• Al-Hanin Herbs (Egypt)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT

August 2022: One of the major developments in 2022 was by Vitacress, which ordered a state-of-the-art hydroponic herb growing facility in Portugal. The facility has closed-loop water systems and smart climate control solutions to grow herbs year-round with a minimal environmental impact. The project not only increases the supply chain resilience of Vitacress but also reflects its commitment to sustainable production. The project puts the company at the forefront of future-proof herb cultivation in Europe and the world at large.

REPORT COVERAGE

The report delivers a comprehensive picture of the global market for fresh herbs, analysing the various drivers of growth and the challenges that are hindering growth. It analyses the impact of global conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war, discovers key trends including vertical farming, and delivers in-depth segmentation on the basis of herb type and application. The report further analyses market dynamics including driving factors, limitations, upcoming opportunities, and current challenges. Regional performance in Asia, Europe, and North America is analysed with a focus on the U.S. market. Moreover, it includes analysis of industry leaders, their strategic developments, and a leading industrial growth by Vitacress. Such exhaustive coverage is meant to present useful insights to stakeholders, investors, and industry players seeking to understand and exploit the emerging fresh herbs market.