Rosemary Prices in the United States from 2020 to 2025

General Context

Rosemary is primarily grown in Mediterranean climates (e.g., Spain, Morocco, Tunisia) and imported into the U.S., though some domestic production occurs in states like California. Prices fluctuate based on supply chain costs, weather conditions affecting harvests, and demand in culinary, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical sectors. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and market reports offer sporadic data, but no consistent annual breakdown exists for rosemary alone from 2020 to 2025. I’ll synthesize what’s known and extrapolate where necessary.

2020–2021: Early Pandemic Impacts

• In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains globally. Rosemary imports likely faced delays due to shipping bottlenecks and labor shortages, though demand for home cooking spices surged as lockdowns kept people indoors. A Tridge market overview suggests wholesale prices for fresh rosemary in global markets hovered around $2–$4 per kilogram in 2020, with U.S. prices likely at the higher end due to import costs and tariffs. Retail prices for fresh rosemary at grocery stores (e.g., Walmart, Kroger) were typically $1.50–$2.50 per ounce (about 28 grams), based on anecdotal consumer data from that period. Dried rosemary was cheaper, around $1–$2 per ounce.

• By 2021, supply chains began stabilizing, but rising fuel and transportation costs pushed prices up slightly. Wholesale prices for imported rosemary might have increased to $2.50–$4.50 per kilogram, with retail fresh rosemary edging toward $2–$3 per ounce in many U.S. markets. Inflation started creeping in late 2021, setting the stage for further increases.

2022–2023: Inflation and Supply Pressures

• Inflation hit a 40-year high in 2022, with the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) for food rising significantly. While specific rosemary data isn’t isolated, the broader "food at home" CPI increased by 11.4% in 2022, per the USDA Economic Research Service. Herbs and spices, including rosemary, followed this trend. Wholesale prices for fresh rosemary likely rose to $3–$5 per kilogram, reflecting higher production and shipping costs. Retail prices for fresh rosemary climbed to $2.50–$3.50 per ounce, with dried rosemary at $1.50–$2.50 per ounce, based on market trends reported by sources like Tridge and Statista.

• In 2023, inflation cooled slightly, but food prices remained elevated. The USDA noted a 5.8% increase in food-at-home prices year-over-year. Rosemary prices stabilized somewhat, with wholesale fresh rosemary estimated at $3–$5.50 per kilogram and retail fresh rosemary at $2.50–$4 per ounce. Droughts in key growing regions (e.g., Mediterranean) may have tightened supply, keeping prices firm.

2024–2025: Recent Trends and Current Snapshot

• By 2024, overall food prices were predicted to rise 3.3% (USDA Food Price Outlook), with herbs likely tracking this or slightly exceeding it due to import reliance. Wholesale fresh rosemary prices might have settled at $3.50–$6 per kilogram, reflecting ongoing global supply chain adjustments and energy costs. Retail prices for fresh rosemary likely ranged from $3–$4.50 per ounce, with dried rosemary at $2–$3 per ounce, based on current grocery store pricing trends (e.g., Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods).

• As of March 12, 2025, rosemary prices appear to have leveled off but remain higher than pre-pandemic levels. A quick check of current retail data (e.g., online grocers) shows fresh rosemary at approximately $3.50–$4.50 per ounce in urban U.S. markets, with dried rosemary at $2–$3 per ounce. Wholesale prices, per Tridge’s global market updates, are around $4–$6 per kilogram for fresh rosemary, varying by import origin and quality. 

Notes and Caveats

• Data Gaps: Exact rosemary prices aren’t consistently tracked by U.S. government sources like the USDA for this period. Estimates blend global wholesale trends (Tridge), inflation data (USDA, Statista), and retail snapshots.

• Variability: Prices vary by region (e.g., higher in urban Northeast vs. rural South), season (winter imports cost more), and form (fresh vs. dried vs. organic).

• 2025 Projection: Beyond March 12, prices could rise further if inflation persists or drop if supply chains improve—too early to predict definitively.

Wholesale Fresh Rosemary ($/kg)

Retail Fresh Rosemary ($/oz)

Retail Dried Rosemary ($/oz)