Ukrainian farmers are meeting the growing global demand for medicinal herbs, and this move is profitable. Instead of focusing on traditional crops such as vegetables, farmers are now re-qualifying to grow medicinal herbs. The market is complex, but it’s promising with three to five years’ worth of grass sales.
Rising Demand for High-Quality Medicinal Herbs
The demand for herbs is increasing, but so are the standards for the quality of raw materials. Ten companies are now growing grass on fields covering over 2,000 hectares, making Ukraine a significant player in the global market. The director of the company “Dobrotrav,” Evgeny Shumeiko, attributes the rise in demand to the trend for healthy nutrition and the use of medicinal herbs and spices in this area. The global herbal market continues to grow, and despite the ongoing war, the buyers of Ukrainian herbs are increasingly from the USA, Japan, China, India, and EU countries such as Germany, Bulgaria, and Poland.
Popular Herbs and Their Uses
Elderberry, valerian, nettle, plantain, and sage are some of the most popular herbs grown in Ukraine. Sage is especially popular in the USA, where it is used as a spice. One of the advantages of sage is that it does not require extensive weeding as it secretes substances that block weed growth. Melissa and nettle are also in high demand. Arnica, a plant that grows only in the Carpathians, is the most expensive herb, costing between $250-$300 per kilogram due to its anti-cancer properties. Dried petal cornflower ranks as the most expensive herb at 1,000 hryvnia per kilogram.
Quality Assurance and Production Technology
With the rise in demand for herbs, there is a growing need for quality assurance and production technology to ensure that the herbs meet international standards. Farmers need to ensure that they do not use harmful chemicals that can compromise the quality of the herbs. For example, spraying with pest spray can cause the herbs to have an unpleasant smell and make them unsellable. Additionally, production technology is essential in growing some of the more challenging plants, such as Arnica.
In overall, the global demand for medicinal herbs is on the rise, and Ukrainian farmers are tapping into this market, providing high-quality herbs to customers worldwide. With the right production technology and quality assurance measures, Ukraine has the potential to become a significant player in the global herbal market, bringing economic benefits to the country’s farmers and economy.
