In recent years, western Ukrainian farmers have retrained from growing vegetables for borscht to cultivating medicinal herbs used in various fields such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food. Ten companies are working in this market, growing herbs in fields covering over two thousand hectares. The market is complex but promising, with profits from herb sales coming in three to five years.
This was reported by the director of the Dobrotrav company, Yevhen Shumeyko, during the Fruit and Vegetable Movement of Ukraine-2023 conference in Lviv.
"There is a trend towards healthy eating, and medicinal herbs and spices are just the things for this industry," Shumeyko emphasized. "The global market for herbs is growing every year. Despite the war, our herb buyers are the United States, Japan, China, India, and EU countries, most often Germany, Bulgaria, and Poland."
With the demand for the product, there are also increasing requirements for the quality of the raw materials. There are many different analyses for herbs to make sure they meet international market standards. In particular, there is demand for herbs with the 'Organic' logo. "In demand are elderberry, valerian, lemon balm, nettle, plantain, sage," he continued. "In particular, sage is taken as a spice. The United States is a major consumer of sage."
In recent years, prices for medicinal herbs have been rising in Ukraine and the EU. Last year, the most expensive herb was Arnica, which cost $250-300 per kilogram. The reason is the production technology. The plant only grows in the Carpathian Mountains, and it requires a complex of favorable climate and humidity. Another nuance of the high price is that scientists have discovered the anti-cancer properties of Arnica. After this, the price of Arnica in the world sharply increased at least three times.
Dried cornflower petals are among the most expensive herbs in the ranking. They cost $25 per kilogram.
Source (Ukrainian): wz.lviv.ua