Spices and Herbs

Between 1995 and 1997 UK imports increased by 17 per cent, which was mainly due to
high demand for capsicum, paprika, ginger, coriander, cumin, spice mixtures and cloves.
In the same period imports of pepper, turmeric, curry, nutmeg and other spices showed a
fluctuating pattern. Cinnamon, thyme and bay leaves were less in demand. An overview of
UK imports by product group is given in table 4.7.
Table 4.7 Imports of spices and herbs to The United Kingdom, 1995-1997
ECU thousands/tonnes
1995 1996 1997
volume value volume value volume value
Total 37,475 60,105 34,814 54,771 43,948 82,882
Intra-EU 11,029 25,864 6,062 13,641 11,702 21,214
Extra-EU 26,446 34,241 28,752 41,130 32,246 61,668
Developing
countries 20,831 27,820 23,314 33,224 26,309 49,273
Product groups:
Pepper 6,888 16,320 5,893 14,084 7,636 27,990
Ginger 7,512 7,511 8,594 9,821 8,577 12,093
Capsicum/paprika 3,350 6,438 4,487 8,994 5,008 13,423
Coriander 3,608 1,642 4,014 2,353 4,910 3,894
Turmeric 2,307 1,247 2,167 1,468 2,513 2,378
Cumin 2,304 2,791 2,444 3,116 2,555 3,676
Curry 1,455 1,789 1,156 1,413 1,673 2,180
Cinnamon 1,470 1,937 1,215 1,739 1,257 1,899
Mixtures 621 1,581 642 1,838 716 2,081
Thyme/bay 562 1,216 448 1,178 452 1,439
Cloves 296 259 303 313 366 362
Nutmeg 310 598 219 432 356 883
Caraway 95 124 199 188 267 328
Mace 80 225 41 144 126 475
Other spices 6,617 16,427 2,992 7,690 7,536 9,781
Source: Eurostat
UK demand for imports of dried herbs in this period amounted to about 4,300 tonnes, of
which parsley is the most significant in quantity, amounting to about 1,300 tonnes. Other
important herbs include sage (about 550 tonnes), oregano (800), basil (350) and marjoram
(250). Local commercial production concentrates mainly on mint, parsley, sage, coriander
and, on a smaller scale, basil, marjoram, oregano, savoury, thyme and tarragon.
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