Spices and Herbs

France is the largest European market for culinary herbs and is also a major exporter,
producing parsley, tarragon and thyme on a large scale. Basil, chervil, chives, coriander,
rosemary, sage and dill are also grown commercially. The market for dried herbs, of which
the most significant are mint, thyme, marjoram, sage, oregano, rosemary and basil, is
estimated at about 7,200 tonnes. Parsley, bay leaves, chives, savoury, dill and chervil are
also imported.
In 1997, France accounted for nearly 6 per cent of EU exports of spices and herbs. Its
major export products, mainly to other EU countries, USA, Saudi Arabia, Algeria and
Japan, were spice mixtures, pepper, cumin seed, nutmeg, cloves, thyme and other herbs.
4.2.4 Spain
In 1997 Spain had around 39.2 million inhabitants. The average GDP per capita in 1996
was 11,700 ECU. Spain is the fourth largest EU importer of spices, with almost 11 per cent
of EU imports by volume in 1997, or a total of 27,883 tonnes, valued at ECU 63.1 million.
Spain is also among the largest EU exporters of spices.
In 1997, the Spanish consumption of spices and herbs per capita averaged 300 grams per
year. Spain is a relatively large market for spices and is a major producer and processor of
paprika powder and saffron.
Domestic usage of dried spices and herbs in Spain is not very high because Spanish cooks
tend to use fresh produce for seasoning. The Spanish are rather conservative in their eating
habits compared to other EU countries. Saffron is used to give the golden colour to
Spanish paëlla rice and paprika is used for spiced sausages (“chorizo”). Chillies, paprika
and oregano are also traditional flavourings. Small snacks (“tapas”) are served with drinks
in local bars. There is enough choice already available for the Spanish and there seems to
be no immediate need for new varieties.
The population growth has been slowing in recent years and was forecast to rise by just 1.1
per cent between 1996-2005. Tourism brings 60 million foreigners into Spain every year;
its immigrant population is growing, and in the future the ethnic mix is likely to be
increasingly diverse.
The food industry uses about 60 per cent of all the spices consumed. Large food processors
in Spain are Nestlé Spain, Gallina Blanca and Sanboz Nutrition. A large grinder/blender/-
packer for paprika is Jose Martinez Y Cia with the brand Titan and J. Navarro Garcia is a
large packer for pepper with the brand Carmencita. Other significant grinders are
Albarracin, S.A., Angel Jobal S.A. and Matencio Lopez S.A.
The Spanish retail market for spices and herbs grew by 10 per cent between 1993 and 1997
to reach a total of ECU 39 million, which represents 4 per cent of the total EU market. As
in other EU countries the ready-to-use mixtures segment has grown significantly in recent
years. Dried and fresh herbs are taking the largest proportion of the Spanish retail market
as is shown in figure 4.9.
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