10.01.13
Sales of herbal dietary supplements in the U.S. increased by 5.5% in 2012, reaching nearly $5.6 billion, according to a report published in HerbalGram, from the Austin TX-based American Botanical Council (ABC). Sales in the mainstream market channel (food, drug and mass-market stores; FDM) continued to grow, increasing an estimated 2.2% over 2011 sales, while sales in natural food stores rose by a stronger estimated growth of 6.1%. 2012 marks the ninth year in a row in which herb sales have increased, according to data in previous HerbalGram herb market reports.
“The market for herbs continues to grow, year after year, even during difficult economic times,” said HerbalGram Editor-in-Chief and ABC Founder and Executive Director Mark Blumenthal. “The sales data demonstrate that consumers of all types are interested in safe, natural, low-cost options to maintain their health and increase wellness.”
The annual HerbalGram herb market report is based on herb supplement sales statistics from Nutrition Business Journal (NBJ), Boulder, CO, and market research firms SymphonyIRI and SPINSscan Natural. The report covers only sales of herbal dietary supplements and does not reflect the sales of herbal teas or botanical ingredients in natural cosmetics.
Chicago, IL-based SymphonyIRI determined that the top-selling single herbs of 2012 in the FDM channel were: cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), garlic (Allium sativum), saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), soy (Glycine max) and ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) leaf extract.
Schaumburg, IL-based SPINS found sales of botanical dietary supplements in the natural and health foods channel to be approximately $295.5 million, a significant increase of 14.7% over 2011 sales in this channel. SPINS’ figure does not include sales from the largest natural foods chain store in the U.S., Whole Foods Market. The five top-selling herbal supplements of 2012 in the natural channel, according to SPINS, were: flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) oil, grass (wheat and barley; Triticum aestivum and Hordeum vulgare), turmeric (Curcuma longa) and concentrated curcumin extracts, aloe vera (Aloe vera) and spirulina/blue-green algae (Arthrospira spp.). Turmeric showed a 40% increase in sales in 2012, a huge jump, presumably reflecting increased consumer awareness of the various health benefits documented in published clinical trials, including its anti-inflammatory effects and use as a potentially safe and effective adjuvant in various types of cancer therapies.
“The market for herbs continues to grow, year after year, even during difficult economic times,” said HerbalGram Editor-in-Chief and ABC Founder and Executive Director Mark Blumenthal. “The sales data demonstrate that consumers of all types are interested in safe, natural, low-cost options to maintain their health and increase wellness.”
The annual HerbalGram herb market report is based on herb supplement sales statistics from Nutrition Business Journal (NBJ), Boulder, CO, and market research firms SymphonyIRI and SPINSscan Natural. The report covers only sales of herbal dietary supplements and does not reflect the sales of herbal teas or botanical ingredients in natural cosmetics.
Chicago, IL-based SymphonyIRI determined that the top-selling single herbs of 2012 in the FDM channel were: cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), garlic (Allium sativum), saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), soy (Glycine max) and ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) leaf extract.
Schaumburg, IL-based SPINS found sales of botanical dietary supplements in the natural and health foods channel to be approximately $295.5 million, a significant increase of 14.7% over 2011 sales in this channel. SPINS’ figure does not include sales from the largest natural foods chain store in the U.S., Whole Foods Market. The five top-selling herbal supplements of 2012 in the natural channel, according to SPINS, were: flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) oil, grass (wheat and barley; Triticum aestivum and Hordeum vulgare), turmeric (Curcuma longa) and concentrated curcumin extracts, aloe vera (Aloe vera) and spirulina/blue-green algae (Arthrospira spp.). Turmeric showed a 40% increase in sales in 2012, a huge jump, presumably reflecting increased consumer awareness of the various health benefits documented in published clinical trials, including its anti-inflammatory effects and use as a potentially safe and effective adjuvant in various types of cancer therapies.