US herb sales up 1% in 2000

Retail sales for herbal dietary supplements in the USA gained 1% in the calendar year 2000 compared with sales in 1999. The figures of a survey of herb market sales for all channels of trade published in the Nutrition Business Journal¹ contrast with sales data provided by Information Resources Inc. in the Food, Drug and Mass Market (FDM) channel, which indicated a 15% drop in sales for this channel in the year 2000 compared with 1999.² However, the FDM channel is only one market segment and consumers appear to be purchasing a larger volume of supplements through warehouse buying clubs to the detriment of sales in natural food/health food and other mainstream retail outlets. The Nutrition Business Journal also reported strong growth for herbs by Internet sales.

1. Nutr Business J, 6(5–6): 2001. 6–7 pages.
2. HerbalGram, 51: 2001. 69 pages. (reported in Focus Altern Complement Ther 2001; 6: 231)