Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Dried chamomile ("manzanilla") is produced in Mexico as a medicinal-plant crop, with official SIAP open data reporting national production under the crop name “manzanilla”. Production is concentrated in a small number of states, led by Estado de México and Puebla (with additional production reported in Morelos, San Luis Potosí, and Durango). For exports of regulated plant products, Mexico’s plant health authority (SENASICA) issues an International Phytosanitary Certificate when required by the destination market and exporters must comply with destination requirements. As a low‑moisture dried botanical, commercial performance is strongly shaped by controls for microbial hazards, mold, pesticide residues, and foreign matter across drying, storage, and consolidation.
Market RoleDomestic producer with niche export channels
Domestic RoleMedicinal-plant crop (“manzanilla”) supplying domestic herbal-product and infusion/tea uses
Specification
Primary VarietyMatricaria recutita L. (matricaria flower / true chamomile)
Secondary Variety- Chamaemelum nobile (L.) All. (Roman chamomile)
Physical Attributes- Dried flower heads (capitula) with characteristic yellow-white appearance and aromatic profile
- Low extraneous matter (stems, soil, stones) and controlled moisture to reduce mold risk
Packaging- Moisture-barrier, food-grade packaging (e.g., lined bags/cartons) to prevent moisture uptake during storage and transit
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Harvest → drying (sun or mechanical) → cleaning/sieving to remove foreign matter → sorting/grading → packaging → storage → domestic distribution and/or export consolidation
Temperature- Ambient handling is typical; prioritize dryness and avoid heat/moisture exposure that can accelerate quality loss or mold growth
Shelf Life- Shelf-life depends heavily on moisture control and packaging integrity; moisture uptake increases mold and quality-rejection risk
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Food Safety HighMicrobial hazards and mold in low‑moisture dried botanicals can trigger border detention, rejection, or recalls; Codex/WHO highlight pathogens (including Salmonella) and chemical/physical hazards in spices and dried herbs, and U.S. FDA enforcement actions (e.g., DWPE for dried peppers from Mexico due to excessive mold) illustrate trade-stopping consequences when dried-plant controls fail.Use validated drying and moisture-control targets, hygienic handling/foreign-matter control, and risk-based testing (micro and mold indicators); consider validated microbial-reduction steps (e.g., steam/irradiation) where allowed and buyer-accepted.
Regulatory Compliance MediumShipment delays or non-entry can occur if destination SPS requirements are not met or if phytosanitary certification/documentation is incomplete for regulated plant products.Confirm destination requirements early, align documents to the buyer/importer checklist, and obtain the SENASICA International Phytosanitary Certificate when applicable.
Market Integrity MediumMexico’s regulator has issued alerts on falsified products marketed with “manzanilla” claims, creating reputational and compliance risk for supply chains tied to chamomile/manzanilla positioning even when the underlying raw material is legitimate.Strengthen supplier qualification, labeling controls, and traceability documentation; avoid medicinal claims unless properly authorized for the target market.
FAQ
Which Mexican states are reported as major producers of manzanilla (chamomile) in official statistics?SIAP open data as presented via the SEIA/SEDARH “Manzanilla” page reports production concentrated in Estado de México and Puebla, with additional production reported in Morelos, San Luis Potosí, and Durango (Cierre Agrícola 2023 context).
What official document is commonly used for exporting regulated plant products from Mexico when the destination market requires phytosanitary certification?SENASICA issues an International Phytosanitary Certificate (Certificado Fitosanitario Internacional) for the export of regulated plant products, based on the destination country’s phytosanitary requirements and the exporter’s completed procedure.
What is the biggest trade-stopping risk for dried chamomile shipments from Mexico?Food-safety non-compliance—especially mold and microbial hazards in low‑moisture dried botanicals—can lead to detention, rejection, or recalls. Codex and WHO/FAO risk work highlight these hazards for spices and dried herbs, and U.S. FDA import-alert enforcement on dried plant commodities from Mexico illustrates how quickly market access can be disrupted when mold controls fail.