Wakunaga
Xlear
Herbal Dietary Supplement Retail Sales Up 7.9 Percent in 2013

Herbal Dietary Supplement Retail Sales Up 7.9 Percent in 2013

by Angela Santoriello | September 8, 2014

Sales of herbal dietary supplements in the U.S. increased by 7.9 percent in 2013, reaching a total estimated figure of $6 billion dollars for the first time, according to the American Botanical Council (ABC, Austin, TX).

These statistics are conclusions of a new report published in the current issue of HerbalGram, the peer-reviewed quarterly journal of the ABC, which further reported sales in the mainstream market channel (food, drug, and mass-market stores, plus club and convenience stores) continued to grow, increasing an estimated 7.7 percent over 2012 sales, while sales in natural food stores rose by a stronger estimated growth of 8.8 percent.

2013 marks the tenth consecutive year that herb sales have increased, according to data from previous HerbalGram herb market reports.

“Consumers continue to express strong demand for a wide variety of herbs, phytomedicines, and other plant-based ingredients for their many health benefits,” said Mark Blumenthal, HerbalGram editor-in-chief and founder and executive director, ABC. “Over the past decade — even during the major economic downturn — retail sales statistics demonstrate the increasing level of interest and confidence that American consumers place in the herbal sector of the dietary supplement market.”

The annual HerbalGram herb market report is based on herb supplement sales statistics from the Nutrition Business Journal (NBJ) and market research firms IRI and SPINS. According to the ABC, the report covers only retail sales of herbal dietary supplements and does not reflect the sales of most herbal teas, botanical ingredients in natural cosmetics, or government-approved herbal drug ingredients in over-the-counter or prescription medicines.

NBJ estimated the total herb supplement sales figures for 2013 based on data from market research firms, company surveys, interviews with major retailers and industry experts, and various published and unpublished secondary material. In previous years, HerbalGram has featured separate mainstream multi-outlet sales data from IRI and SPINS. For 2013, the two firms collaborated to present a combined report, with market channel coverage including food, drug, and mass-market retailers as well as military commissaries, select buyer’s clubs, and so-called dollar stores.

SPINS calculated sales of botanical dietary supplements in the natural channel to be $320,722,598, a significant increase of 9.9 percent over 2012 sales in this channel. SPINS’ figure does not include sales from the U.S. largest natural foods chain store, Whole Foods Market, which sells a significant quantity of herbal supplements.

The five top-selling herbal supplements — as coded by primary ingredient — of 2013 in the natural channel, according to SPINS, were turmeric and extracts standardized to curcumin; wheat and barley grass;; flaxseed and/or flax oil; aloe vera; and spirulina/blue-green algae. Turmeric showed a 26.2 percent increase in sales in 2013, taking the top ranking in the natural channel.

The online version of the HerbalGram report comprises five tables illustrating herbal supplement sales, including a table of the 40 top-selling herbal supplements in the mainstream multi-outlet channel as determined by SPINS/IRI, as well as a table of the 20 top-selling botanical supplements in the natural channel as determined by SPINS, reported ABC.

For more information, visit www.abc.herbalgram.org. 

Don't Miss Out!

Sign up for Vitamin Retailer Digital Newsletter
Digital Newsletter
Subscribe to Vitamin Retailer Magazine
Vitamin Retailer Magazine

Industry Professionals
Stay Informed!

Stay informed about the latest health, nutrition, and wellness developments by signing up for a FREE subscription to Vitamin Retailer magazine and digital newsletter.

Once subscribed, you will receive industry insights, product trends, and important news directly to your doorstep and inbox.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Stay Informed! Breaking news, industry trends featured topics, and more.

Subscribe to our newsletter today!