In May 2022, Somerset based Organic Herb Trading celebrates 40 years of growing, sourcing and supplying the UK’s largest range of high-quality botanicals for a diverse range of customers in the herbal tea, food, skincare and medicinal markets around the world, including Pukka Herbs, Neal’s Yard Remedies, and Riverford Organic Farms.
Founded in 1982 by organic luminary Mike Brook, the business was founded as Hambleden Herbs in the picturesque Thames Valley village of Hambleden, where he began growing herbs in a field near his home. Quickly realising that he wouldn’t be able to meet fast-growing demand for organic herbs, Mike began his search for products abroad, and steadily built up a large portfolio of suppliers around the world.
‘It was exciting working with Mike, growing our organic businesses alongside each other since the start of Neal’s Yard Remedies in 1981. As our sales increased, so did Mike’s, he would grow more and we’d buy more – both in quantity and variety. He was by far the best herb supplier in the market. We’ve remained friends ever since as we are both passionate about the quality of the plant material as well as the issues of fair trading and the environment. I have a lot of admiration for Mike and Organic Herb Trading. He has led the company and allowed it to become a leading herbal business based on good ethics and integrity. He’s got a great team around him, and I believe Organic Herb Trading is set to be an example of good and responsible business for the future.’ Romy Fraser, Founder of Neal’s Yard Remedies
As the business grew, Hambleden Herbs launched its own ranges of prepacked organic herbal teas and culinary spices, the first organic products of their kind to ever be available in the UK. In order to support the growing demands for space and production facilities, Mike and his family relocated in 1994 to a farm in Somerset – still home to the business today. It renamed its bulk trading division to The Organic Herb Trading Company in 2000, and sold the Hambleden Herbs retail brand four years later.
Mike and his team continued to pave the way for organic herbs, spices and botanicals in the UK market, and now source and supply over 500 products, from more than 60 countries around the world from suppliers with whom they have built longstanding, mutually beneficial relationships. As a trailblazer in the industry, Mike led the way for introducing new products to the UK, including bringing organic Cocoa powder to the market for the first time in 1999. The company’s customers, based in the UK and worldwide, range from individual herbal practitioners to the most respected global organic brands including Yeo Valley, Pukka Herbs, Neal’s Yard Remedies and Riverford Organics.
For more information:
Laura Tucker
Organic Herb Trading
Tel: +44(0)7899 747895
Email: [email protected]