10 tips to go green in the spices and herbs sector

Going green is very important in the spices and herbs sector. By becoming greener now, you will be ready for the growing number of green requirements that both European buyers and consumers demand. Improve your processing, switch to more sustainable farming methods, optimise packaging and transport, get certified and make use of green innovations. When you embrace sustainability it not only benefits the planet but also enhances your reputation and gives you a competitive advantage in a rapidly changing market.

1. Pollute less by reducing the impact of processing and fertilisers

Like any industry, the spices and herbs sector impacts the environment. As a producer of spices and herbs you have the power to make a positive impact on the environment through sustainable practices. Because processing and fertilisers are the biggest polluting factors, the greatest environmental wins can be gained by more sustainable drying methods, optimising your soil quality and/or switching to organic fertilisers. 

Spices and herbs supply chain

While you may not be able to influence every aspect of the value chain, you can control your impact in key areas such as inputs, primary production and primary processing. 

Figure 1: Sustainability impacts along the spices and herbs supply chain (not exhaustive)

Primary processing and fertiliser use by growers are the biggest polluting factors in the spices and herbs supply chain. Other polluting factors are packaging and transport. Factors that aren't necessarily polluting but are disruptive to the environment, are improper water management, deforestation and soil depletion.

The importance of 'going green'

It is important to become more environmentally friendly in the spices and herbs sector, because the planet needs it and the people need and demand it. Becoming more sustainable will reduce the impact and preserve natural resources for future generations.

'Going green' often goes hand-in-hand with 'going social'. Advancements in sustainable farming practices not only benefit nature, but farmers too. When done right, going green will also lead to higher yields, healthier crops and a healthier living environment of the people living on and near the farm.

Going green can also have health and nutritional advantages. Spices and herbs are important components of a healthy and balanced diet. However, many conventional farming practices, like pesticide and fertiliser use and drying processes, can have negative impacts on human health. A more sustainable spices and herbs sector can help ensure that these foods are grown in ways that are safe and nutritious.

Improving your spices processing

As a first step in looking for where to improve your processing, it can be a good idea to examine your drying processes. Traditionally, some spices were dried over open fire. This turned out to be a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) contamination hazard. PAH exposure can increase the risk of cancer. The EU has set limits to the amount of PAH that is allowed in spices and herbs imports. A healthier and also more environmentally friendly way to dry spices is sun-drying.

Figure 2: Sun-drying facility for spices in Thailand, from the outside

3. Optimise your soil quality

Soil optimisation is important in spices and herbs growing because healthy soil is essential to grow healthy plants. When soil is optimised, it is rich in organic matter, has a healthy balance of nutrients, and is able to retain moisture.

Some buyers, like Euroma, have set very high sustainability goals. One way they achieve them is by helping their suppliers become more sustainable. Euroma has a project with a high focus on soil quality. In Central Anatolia, Turkey, they provide a training programme for local farmers to grow cumin seeds sustainably. The focus is on responsible irrigation, ensuring food safety, improving organic soil, and using plant protection products correctly. 

Optimising soil in organic farming typically involves practices such as crop rotation, cover cropping, and the use of organic fertilisers and soil amendments. These practices help maintain soil health, improve soil structure, and promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the soil.

By optimising soil, farmers are able to produce high-quality spices and herbs that are healthy and nutritious, while also maintaining the long-term health of the soil and the environment. In contrast, conventional farming often relies heavily on chemical fertilisers and pesticides that can degrade soil quality over time. 

Adopting regenerative agriculture practices is one way to optimise your soil quality. Regenerative agriculture is an outcome-based food production system that nurtures and restores soil health, protects the climate and water resources and biodiversity, and enhances farms' productivity and profitability.

Regenerative agriculture for spices and herbs requires a holistic view, with in-depth analysis of different variables like the complementarity of nutrients in crop rotation from one crop to another or the type of soil cover for the type of cash crop grown.

4. Improve your transport and logistics

Food system emissions globally account for 5.8 GtCO2e, equating to 30% of the world's GHG emissions.

Products of animal origin like meat and dairy, as well as animal feeds, contribute highly to these emissions, but spices and herbs also play a role. 

Table 1: Selected spices and herbs with a relatively higher CO2 emitted per kg produced

Product	In distribution centre	Kg Co2 e / kg
Ground white pepper	Europe	7.7
Turmeric powder	Europe	4.2
Ground black pepper	Europe	4
Vanilla extract	Europe	3.2
Cumin ground	Europe	3

Source: Carbon Cloud

Table 2: Selected spices and herbs with a relatively lower CO2 emitted per kg produced

Product	In distribution centre	Kg Co2 e / kg
Coriander	Europe	0.38
Cinnamon	Europe	1.2
Cardamom powder	Europe	1.3
Dried garlic	Europe	1.3
Dried ginger	Europe	1.9

Source: Carbon Cloud

The emissions of these products happen during the agricultural phase, the processing and the transportation. Reducing transportation emissions is critical for reducing the environmental impact of the food industry. For spices and herbs, packaging plays a big role here.

You can reduce the environmental impact of your product by improving the packaging. For example:

• Use biodegradable or compostable packaging. Replace traditional plastic packaging with materials that break down naturally, such as biodegradable plastics, compostable bags or paper-based wrappers.
• Minimise packaging materials. Choose minimal and lightweight packaging to reduce the overall material usage and waste generated.
• Choose recyclable materials. Use packaging that is easily recyclable, such as glass jars, aluminium containers or cardboard boxes.
• Implement refillable or reusable options. Offer refillable containers or encourage customers to return packaging for reuse to reduce single-use waste.

Optimise packaging to reduce carbon footprint

McCormick is a food company that manufactures, markets and distributes spices, seasoning mixes, condiments and other flavouring products to retail outlets, food manufacturers and foodservice businesses. One of their sustainability goals is to reduce their carbon footprint by 25% by 2025. Improved packaging reduced their carbon footprint by 7%.

You can also reduce your carbon footprint by making changes in your transport and logistics, for example by: 

• Using more fuel-efficient vehicles;
• Consolidating shipments;
• Optimising routes;
• Opting for varieties that allow international shipping by sea, as this transportation method has much lower emissions than shipping by air.

5. Become a certified spices and herbs producer

One step in becoming a greener spices and herbs producer is getting green certification. 

Becoming a green-certified spices and herbs producer is a good idea because:

• It shows your commitment to environmentally responsible farming practices. This gives you a competitive advantage over growers that do not have such certification.
• Certification bodies take you through a step-by-step process. It is very likely that they will address issues that you hadn't thought of yourself. 
• Certification can also improve access to markets that prioritise sustainability requirements, including retailers, food processors and exporters.

Organic

The market for organic spices and herbs is still small but growing. Some of the most popular organic spices are turmeric, ginger and black pepper. 

If you want to sell your spices and herbs as organic in Europe, they must be grown using organic production methods that comply with European legislation. Growing and processing facilities must be audited by an accredited certifier. Only after certification can you put the European Union's organic logo on your products, as well as the logo of the organic private standards, such as Soil Association in the UK or Naturland in Germany. These private standards build on the EU organic standard and add other requirements.

Importing organic products to Europe is only possible with an electronic certificate of inspection (e‑COI). Each batch of organic products imported to the EU has to be accompanied by an electronic certificate of inspection as defined in Annex V of Regulation EC No 1235/2008 defining the imports of organic products from third countries. 

Rainforest Alliance

Rainforest Alliance is the largest and most well-known certification scheme for the spices and herbs industry that focuses on the green side of sustainability. They have a programme dedicated to spices and herbs. On their website you can find a field checklist, system checklists (checklist for organisations in their sourcing areas and checklists for organisations outside their sourcing areas), the Sustainable Agriculture Standard's Supply Chain Requirements, and a document about which standards apply to you.

Global GAP

GlobalG.A.P. is a third-party certification for good agricultural practices. It has become a non-negotiable requirement for the import of many spices and herbs sold in supermarket chains in Europe.

Retailers can also impose their individual standards, such as Tesco Nurture. Especially larger retail chains in Northern Europe will be more prepared to buy your product if your compliance with social and sustainability standards is in order.

6. Meet European green legislation standards

The European Union (EU) has implemented the European Due Diligence Act to enforce ethical and sustainable practices throughout supply chains, emphasising respect for human rights and the environment. Additionally, the EU's ambitious European Green Deal aims to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, with the Farm to Fork Strategy promoting fair, healthy and eco-friendly food systems.

European Due Diligence Act

Responsible and sustainable business and fair treatment of all people in the supply chain are becoming very important topics. To encourage companies to take action to ensure human rights and reduce environmental impacts in their supply chains, the EU made legislation on due diligence mandatory. This legislation ensures respect for human rights and the environment throughout the entire supply chain.

The European Green Deal

In the coming years, the European Green Deal will influence how resources are used and greenhouse gas emissions are reduced. The new EU policies on sustainability will prepare Europe to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050.

The Farm to Fork Strategy is at the heart of the European Green Deal, aiming to make food systems fair, healthy and environmentally friendly. It will ensure a sustainable food production and address issues like packaging and food waste. EU trade agreements, for example with Costa Rica (Central America), already include rules on trade and sustainable development; other countries are expected to follow. For suppliers of spices and herbs, it is important to look ahead of the increasing standards and try to be in the frontline of developments.

7. Be aware of the challenges

As a producer and exporter of spices and herbs you can face a combination of challenges when trying to become more sustainable. The biggest challenges are:

• Growing demand (with yields falling back)
• Higher farming costs
• Changing requirements, of which the certifications costs are borne by the supplier
• The need for new knowledge and skills

These challenges lead to increased costs of many spices and herbs products. For some primary producers this means they are making insignificant profits or even losses. When the margins are low, it is even harder to invest in sustainable farming practices.

However, if you do it right, going green will be more profitable in the long run. Most farmers are already seeing a fallback in yields, even without applying sustainability practices. And even if sustainable farming might lead to a small decrease in yield, it should be only temporary. The costs of green farming can be higher, however with eventual higher yields and a higher price (buyers generally pay more for sustainably produced spices and herbs) it should be beneficial in the long term.

The market keeps changing. It is very important to stay up-to-date on buyer requirements and the knowledge and skills you can develop to become a better spices and herbs producer.

8. Make use of green innovations

Spices and herbs cultivation is a big industry, and new technologies are constantly emerging. These offer solutions and improvements for farmers. As the link between agriculture and climate change has become evident, many new developments are targeting this issue and providing opportunities to be more sustainable. At the moment, precision agriculture with the help of technology offers opportunities to be more efficient with the use of inputs like water and fertilisers. On the other hand, new sustainable methods for plague control are being researched to provide more environmentally friendly alternatives to farmers.

Urban farming

Urban farming is a relatively new way of farming. Urban farming is the practice of growing crops and raising animals in urban areas like cities and towns. It involves using available spaces like rooftops, balconies and vacant lots for agricultural purposes. The aim is to produce food locally, promote sustainability, and enhance food security in densely populated environments.

The market is seeing an increasing number of urban farmers emerge in more heavily populated areas, such as this farmer in Ghana that is growing cucumber and pepper in his urban farm. 

Figure 6: Farmers in Ghana adopt alternative methods due to farmland scarcity

Source: CGTN Africa YouTube Channel

There are various reasons why urban faming may be a good alternative to traditional farming, such as:

• Limited land availability: In urban areas, available agricultural land is often scarce and expensive. Urban farming allows farmers to use small plots, rooftops and vertical spaces to grow crops, maximising land use efficiency.
• Food security: Urban farming enables the production of fresh and nutritious food within cities, reducing dependence on distant rural sources. This can enhance food security for urban populations, especially during times of transportation disruptions or food shortages.
• Income generation: For farmers in emerging economies, urban farming provides an opportunity to diversify their income streams. Selling produce locally can lead to better market access and higher prices due to reduced transportation costs.
• Job creation: Urban farming can generate employment opportunities, especially in densely populated areas. It not only creates jobs for farmers but also for those involved in related activities such as distribution, processing and marketing.
• Reduced environmental impact: With shorter transportation distances, urban farming reduces the carbon footprint associated with food production and distribution. Additionally, it can promote sustainable practices, such as composting, water recycling, and use of organic waste as fertiliser.
• Climate resilience: Urban farming can enhance a city's resilience to climate change by providing green spaces that absorb heat, reduce the urban heat island effect, and mitigate stormwater runoff.

Robotic herb harvesting

Denmark's largest producer of herbs and mini plants, Rosborg Food Holding, has embraced intelligent automation by investing in flexible robot grippers from OnRobot to handle their delicate plants. The company, operating within 120,000 square meters of advanced greenhouses, has implemented state-of-the-art technology to produce and package 28 million herb plants and 12 million mini flowers annually. By streamlining and automating their production line, they not only improved productivity and efficiency but also reduced monotonous and physically demanding tasks for their employees. The integration of robots and automation technology has minimised the need for overtime and temporary workers, while also meeting the rising demand for a diverse range of herbs

One of their recent automation investments is a packaging line featuring a collaborative robot (cobot), equipped with the RG6 gripper. This intelligent gripper mimics human touch, allowing the cobot to handle herbs and flowers delicately without causing damage. The intuitive nature of the automated packaging solution enables staff without prior robotic experience to easily adapt the system for packing different products by adjusting settings on the robotic arm's touchscreen.

Online platforms for farmers

The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and CropIn, a supplier of digital solutions for farmers, launched a project for smallholder farmers in Ghana, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali, Tanzania and Mozambique to provide digital solutions aiming to promote climate change mitigation and resilience. In the six countries where it was launched, Cropin's platform facilitated the digitalisation of end-to-end agricultural operations. This involved geotagging agricultural plots and digitising farm and farmer data, making it easily accessible through a centralised cloud platform.

The platform also provided farmers with tailored support through the Package of Practice (PoP), which included tracking of agricultural inputs, providing guidance on optimal sowing periods, and issuing timely pest and disease alerts to prevent crop losses. They have several projects in the spices and herbs sector, such as ways to enhance your traceability as a sustainable spice business. Their website is a valuable source of information for farmers who are interested in incorporating technology and innovation into agricultural projects. For example, their report about precision agriculture for smallholder farmers gives an overview of technologies and how they can be applied in precision agriculture. They do this by presenting real-life examples and practical scenarios. The report also emphasises important factors that need to be considered, such as the practicality of implementing these technologies, identifying viable business models for widespread adoption, and recognising potential obstacles like limited digital infrastructure, low levels of digital literacy, and insufficient digital skills among farmers. 

9. Embedding green principles in your code of conduct

A code of conduct is a set of guidelines that outlines expected and appropriate behaviours within an organisation. It is important for every company to have a code of conduct. By integrating environmentally friendly principles into your code of conduct, you can show your dedication to sustainability and encourage a more environmentally responsible industry. To achieve this, consider the following steps:

1. Review: Take the time to revisit and assess your organisation's existing code of conduct.
2. Introduce green principles: Incorporate concise and straightforward statements that emphasise environmental responsibility and sustainability.
3. Promote awareness: Share the updated code of conduct widely within your organisation to ensure that all employees are aware of the newly added green principles.
4. Encourage adherence: Follow the code of conduct and encourage employees to adopt environmentally friendly practices in their daily work routines.

By rewriting your organisation's code of conduct to include green principles, you demonstrate your commitment to sustainability and contribute to a more environmentally conscious industry.

Your code of conduct should include information about:

• The values your company believes in
• Guidelines for behaviour
• Day-to-day business practices
• How your employees should interact with outside parties

Valamis has written a good article about what to include in your code of conduct.

Best practices in the Spices and Herbs Sector

Two major players, Unilever (Unilever Sustainable Agricultural Code (SAC)) and McCormick (Supplier Code of Conduct), have an extensive code of conduct written towards sustainability. You can use these to learn about the concept of self-verification. This means that you as a supplier assess your own compliance with the sustainability code of the buyer.

The company Verstegen is a spices and herbs supplier that sources its ingredients from the source. They have unique and sustainable partnerships with local farmers. Because Verstegen keeps the entire chain in its own hands, they can maintain the chain from farmer to consumer fair, transparent and sustainable. Sustainability is very important to Verstegen. They have won several awards, one of them the Business and Biodiversity Award.