The seasonal nature of plant raw materials: what you need to know

Published On:
November 07, 2019

Agriculture is intrinsically linked to the rhythm of the seasons. These seasons condition plant production in terms of both quantity and also quality.

When the issue of the seasonal nature of plant raw materials is raised with professionals, you have to think about in the broadest sense and determine when to harvest the plant depending on the country and the year to make optimum use of the raw material and all its intrinsic qualities.


Respect the seasonal nature of products in order to offer the best of the plant:

 

Every plant is unique based on its origin and the manner it is grown. We know that depending on when the plant is harvested, the principle actives and other nutrients vary.   

As a matter of fact, when the plant is harvested at the right moment greater taste and a larger array of nutrients are guaranteed.

It’s a combination of many factors which will affect the quality of the plant raw material and the decision to harvest at a certain time. It’s up to us professionals to adapt ourselves and to take care to finding the  right moment to harvest the best nature has to offer.

 

The seasonal nature of raw materials depends on several factors:

 

1. Terroir:

Plants adapt to the environment they grow in and develop differently depending on the region. Learn more about our sustainable farming sectors.

As such, based on the origin of the botanical ingredient, the climate, the seasons and harvest times vary.

 

2. The part of the plant used:

The seasonal nature of the plant doesn’t depend solely on the species but also on the part of the plant you want to use. In fact, each part will be harvested at a different time which will depend on the season of the country where the plant has grown:

  • the flower buds will be picked in spring in the given  country
  • the flowers and aerial parts in the summer
  • and the bark and the roots in the autumn

 

3. Meteorology:

The plant is made up of its interactions with the soil and the atmosphere. These interactions will condition the plant’s growth and development based on thermal, water and sunshine conditions.

All these conditions will be responsible for the plant make-up and more particularly its principle actives contents. As such, the weather plays a big role in plant production. From one year to the next depending on the sun, rain or heat input, the plant will produce either more or less of such and such active.

Weather conditions, such as drought or heavy winters will cause changes in the composition of the plant.

 

How to adapt to seasonal nature constrainst?

 

The supply of plant raw materials depends on the seasons. However, industry professionals need botanical ingredients all year round, so anticipating in order to adapt to the cycles of nature is the name of the game.

Having multiple sourcing partners, large stocks and especially having vast knowledge of plants are all solutions to enable you to respond to market needs in due respect with the seasons.

 

Speed up your sourcing of natural botanical ingredients and plant raw materials through our e-platform!

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Nadine Bromberger

Nadine Bromberger

Purchasing Manager

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