Fresh herbs has become one of the fastest growing sectors in Israeli agriculture.
According to the Plants Production and Marketing Board (PPMB), Israeli fresh herb growers cultivate some 30 varieties on an area of 5,000 hectares, in all parts of the country - 1,000ha of which is sold in dried form.
The main areas where fresh herbs are grown are the Bet She'an Valley, the Jordan Valley, the Northwestern Negev and the Arava desert region.
During the 2001/02 season, the export of fresh herbs amounted to 5,800t, generating sales returns of €35million (£23.5m), climbing in 2005/06 to 11,000t, €73m (£49m) - an increase of 109 per cent in quantity and 90 per cent in financial terms.
Some 5,000t of fresh herbs are routed to the local market, with sales of US$9.34m (£4.96m).
The main markets for Israeli herbs are the UK, US, Germany, Holland and France. Trade sources point out that Russia is emerging as a market with great potential, with exports there amounting to 150t this season - a 200 per cent increase on the previous year.
According to the PPMB, the leading fresh herbs varieties are basil, chives, Rocket, Coriander and Nana, all reputed for their high quality and long shelf life. The herbs are flown daily, but owing to the high air-transport expenses, researchers at The Volcani Center are working on prolonging the products’ shelf-life, to enable more to be shipped Europe.
Chairman of the Fresh Herbs Growers Association Anna Meller said Iraeli herb growers are in a fortunate position.
“[Other countries] find it difficult to compete with us regarding quality and shelf-life. If we keep our quality standards and continuity of supply, the growth potential of this sector is practically limitless,” she said.
Mellor added that while lack of modern mechanisation and a shortage of foreign workers will hinder the further development of the sector, the export of fresh herbs from Israel is estimated to grow by 20 per cent during the year.
