Pricing Fresh-cut Herbs
Answered by: Conrad Richter
Question from: Martye Davis
Posted on: September 6, 1998

I have an herb garden and a chef has asked me to price my herbs to him. I don’t know what to charge.

The United States Department of Agriculture tracks the wholesale fresh-cut herb market in cities throughout the United States. Several publications report those results, including the Today’s Market website (http://www.todaysmarket.com).

The difficulty with the USDA market report is that herb prices are reported by the ‘bunch’. ‘Bunch’ is a rather imprecise term. Fresh weight would be better. Generally, a bunch is about 1.5 to 2 cm (3/4 to 1 inch) in diameter at the bound end, and about 10 to 20 centimeters (4-8 inches) long.

You can expect to charge more than the wholesale prices to a chef. Chefs are looking for top quality and will pay more for extra fresh herbs that are delivered to the restaurant’s door, even more than retail. Retail prices are about $1 (U.S.) per bunch in major cities, and you may be about to get more, eventually, if not from the start.

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