CEG Herbs & Spices

Herbs and spices icon

The cultivation of Herbs and Spices represents a significant economic sector in Europe. According to Eurostat, statistical data on this industry is categorized under "aromatic, medicinal, and culinary plants," which encompasses crops cultivated for pharmaceutical applications, perfume production, and human consumption.

This classification is outlined in the Annual Crop Statistics Handbook (Page 58, Document Version 2023, dated 01/02/2023).

Culinary plants are distinguished from vegetables in that they are used in small quantities to enhance flavour rather than serving as a primary food source. Among these, certain edible flowers are also included, primarily cultivated for use in salads and gourmet dishes. While medicinal and aromatic plants generally require industrial processing before reaching the consumer market, some culinary herbs, such as parsley, can be consumed directly.

Scope of Cultivation

The category of aromatic, medicinal, and culinary plants includes both outdoor and greenhouse cultivation, as well as production under high-accessible cover. The primary species cultivated in Europe include:

  • Aloe (Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f.)
  • Angelica (Angelica spp.)
  • Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)
  • Bay leaves (Laurus spp.)
  • Belladonna (Atropa spp.)
  • Chamomile (Matricaria spp.)
  • Caraway (Carum spp.)
  • Chervil (Anthriscus spp.)
  • Chives (Allium schoenoprasum L.)
  • Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.)
  • Digitalis (Digitalis spp.)
  • Dill (Anethum graveolens L.)
  • Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.), cultivated for both seed and foliage use
  • Gentian (Gentiana spp.)
  • Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), grown for various applications:
    • Herbal tea
    • Cannabidiol (CBD) production (<0.2% THC)
    • Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) extraction
  • Hyssop (Hyssopus spp.)
  • Jasmine (Jasminum spp.)
  • Lavender and Lavandin (Lavandula spp., including Lavandula angustifolia Mill., syn. Lavandula officinalis, Lavandula vera)
  • Marigold (Calendula spp.)
  • Marjoram (Origanum spp.)
  • Melissa (Melissa spp.)
  • Mint (Mentha spp.)
  • Parsley (Petroselinum crispum (Mill) Nym. spp. crispum)
Graph of cultivated mushrooms in Europe

Leading Producers in Europe

Over the past five years, the top European producers of aromatic, medicinal, and culinary plants have been:

  1. France
  2. Bulgaria
  3. Poland
  4. Spain

Chair(s) and co-Chair(s)

  • Chair(s):
    • Claire Donkin, representative of the United Kingdom, since October 2022.
  • Co-Chair(s):
    • Hans van der Mheen, representative of the Netherlands, since October 2020.
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