Over the past years the global food market has been experiencing a tremendous change which was undertaken focusing on healthier and more real as well as ethically-sourced ingredients. The herb spice fine foods industry is one of the most prominent sections of this trend- a sphere being fueled by the expanding natural seasonings, dried herb and gourmet condiments categories. Vietnam is a country with a lot of bio diversity and food production capacity; it is becoming a major food supplier in this value added food chain.
The International Trade Centre (ITC) notes that exports of spice and herbs by Vietnam have been increasing steadily with black pepper, cinnamon, star anise, turmeric and lemongrass being some of the most profitable. These ingredients are no longer confined to being used as part of the traditional Asian menus; they are now being used as a high quality ingredient in the manufacture of fine food products in the world; not only the spice blends and dipping sauces but also infused oils and dry rubs.
What are “herb spice fine foods”? Why it matters for b2b buyers
Fine foods is used to describe high quality, and usually artisanal or small batch food products prepared using quality ingredients. Here, herbs and spices exceed the raw or dry state of herbs and spices. They are mostly found in value added products like:
- Meat rubs of organic spices
- Garlic and lemongrass chili pastes
- Infused cooking oils with herbs like basil or kaffir lime
- Flavorful powder and herb salts
When it comes to the B2B buyers such as distributors, importers, private label brands, and food manufacturers, competitive sourcing of high-quality fine food-grade herbs and spices is more than a quality issue. It is all about consistency, compliance, scalability, and storytelling, which is the capacity to convey a product’s origin, purity, and its benefit to health.
Vietnam has an emerging reputation in these aspects and this makes the country an enormous partner in the supply chain globally.
Vietnamese herb spice products for the fine foods industry
Dried herbs
Aromatic herbs can be grown all year round by the climate of Vietnam. The production is by farmers and cooperatives in provinces such as Dong Thap, Quang Nam and Tay Ninh:
- Lemongrass (Fresh and dried)
- Perilla
- Fresh basil, mint and pandan leaves
The sun drying or regulated drying of these herbs is carried out to maintain the color and aroma of these herbs- ideal to be exported and added to the value.
Signature spices
The spices of Vietnam are well-known around the world, as they are very strong and unadulterated:
- Quang Nam cinnamon (Cassia): large volume of essential oil content
- Lang Son star anise -highly abundant in shikimic acid which is even applied in pharmaceutical products
- Phu Quoc black pepper/ Dak Lak black pepper- strong spiciness and smell
- Turmeric Nghe An Type – vivid yellow color, high contents of curcumin
These spices are sent into the market as follows: whole, ground, extracted in oil or made the form of capsules.
Specialty products for fine foods
On the increasing production side the Vietnamese producers of the fine food products are becoming less demanding in that they are providing semi-processed or ready to use products and this can be related to the following:
- Turmeric and ginger paste (Non-perishable in jars)
- Salt mixtures with herbs (e.g. chili-lime salt)
- Lemongrass and fermented garlic Chili sauces
- Tea mixtures (of herbs and spices) to either detox or aid digestion
So long as they are well-packaged and food safety-certified, the products are ideal fit to gourmet shops, chef-inspired restaurants, and health food markets.
What sets Vietnamese herb spice fine foods products apart?
The competitive advantage of Vietnam over the herb spice fine foods market is determined by a number of factors:
- Favorable Geography: Tropical climate and variation in altitude provide a great number of herbs and spices. The environmental conditions in northern Vietnam and the Mekong Delta enable women to cultivate all year round.
- Elegant Tastes: Due to the ancient methods of farming and the enriched soil, Vietnamese spices such as cinnamon and turmeric are rich in color, aroma as well as essential oils- a perfect match in high-end foods.
- Sustainability and Organics: A lot of farmers are moving away to organic production, using compost-derived fertiliser and shunning their use of synthetic pesticides. EU, USDA Organic or JAS-certified cooperatives and farms are becoming a norm.
- Export-Readiness Supply Chain that is Scalable: The processing facilities in local suppliers are under HACCP, ISO 22000, and GlobalG.A.P compliant. This will guarantee international regulation and quality.
Applications of herb spice in the global fine food sector
The products of Vietnamese herbs and spices are very viable in the fine foods market. The following are the ways in which various B to B buyers utilize them:
- Manufacturers: Apply ready meals, stuffing, sauces, snacks, and beverages using dried herbs and powdered spices. An example is that turmeric powder is a common core in golden milk whereas lemongrass is an ingredient in curry pastes and seasoning cubes.
- Restaurants and Caterers: Vietnamese spices are also applied by fine-dining restaurants and caterers that utilize them in building special flavoring. Fusion menus and upper menu items have chili pastes, cinnamon sticks, and herbal marinades.
- Private label brands and retail: Exporters have the opportunity of packaging bulk herbs and spices with their own branding in the case of large-scale supermarket chains or small food stores. Vietnam has flexibility in terms of packaging design and product formulation due to the capability of offering OEM and ODM services.
Greatfoods – Your trusted partner for herb spice fine foods
In Greatfoods, our area of expertise is exploring, processing, and exporting Vietnamese herb spice fine foods ingredients that match the needs of the international markets. As producers of nearly one-fifth of the world supply, we offer:
- Luxury dried herbs and spices
- To our taste, turmeric, cinnamon, lemongrass, perilla, ginger…
- Condiments and mixes of seasonings ready to export
- Herbal marinades, ginger paste, and chili-lime salt
- Custom packaging systems
- Custom to your label in bulk packs, sachets or glass jars
- Certifications
- Safety assurance is guaranteed by HACCP, ISO 22000, Organic (on demand) and tested in laboratory
Our customers are based in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America and assist both importers and the like of the private label brands with their sourcing and R&D activities.
For inquiries and orders, please contact us at:
- Facebook: Greatfoods
- Youtube: Greatfoodsvn
- Email: [email protected]
We are happy to partner with you in the future!