Industry: Herb Production
Gross value of production |
$0.06m |
Number of growers |
20 |
Number employed |
5 |
Current annual production |
4 tonnes |
1. Description of Product:
Wild and cultivated herbs including specialist organic growers.
Herbs for medicinal purposes, including St John's Wort, Wood Bettany, Lemon Balm, Wormwood, Valerian Root, Celandine, Scull Cap, Berries and Sheep Sorrel.
Culinary herbs; including herbal teas.
Specialist oil trees.
2. Location of the Industry:
Small scale herb production is located throughout the region, including Corryong, King Valley, Benalla, Whitlands, Lima, Glenrowan, Indigo Valley, Chiltern and Swanpool.
3. Employment and Labour Requirements:
a. Number of Producers:
There are up to 30-40 growers either currently producing herbs for various agents, or trialling various herbs. The acreage of each unit varies from muchless than 1 acre to 10 acres. It is difficult to estimate the number of growers accurately.
b. Number Regularly Employed:
1 person required for the cultivation of 1 acre of herbs.
4. Annual Production:
Not known with accuracy.
5. Value of Product:
There are 140 or more herbs available for trialling. The value of the product varies from $5/kg dried weight to $70/kg dried weight for speciality organically grown products. The value of production from buying sources is estimated to be:
Organic culinary herbs $30,000
Medicinal herbs $30,000
6. Production Trends Over the Next Five Years:
a. Projected:
A large number of growers are entering this industry on a trial basis and in each case small acreages, of often less than one acre are typical. Accurate projections of production are not currently available.
b. Potential:
The potential for growth of this industry lies in the following factors:
(i) There is a strong grower interest in the industry as on alternative crop.
(ii) Small acreages are required for production, thus allowing a large number of growers access to the industry.
(iii) There is an expanding world market. The growth of domestic market to herbalists and naturopaths is estimated to be growing 20-30% per annum.
(iv) Pharmaceutical industry is displaying interest in the industry. eg. the properties of St Johns Wort are being trialed in Europe.
(v) Some marketers/processors of herbs are also currently exporting herbs and value added products.
(vi) This industry is typified by a diversity of products which enhances the future potential of the industry. It also suggests the likelihood that a wide range of growing conditions may be suitable for herb production.
(vii) There are several well established and professionally qualified key figures in the industry who are committed to building good grower/market/processor relationships, with a view to the production of a high quality clean product for the domestic market, and to compete in the export arena.
Extracted from the Bright Report
