Why French Importers Choose Pakistani Fenugreek Seed
French buyers are demanding on traceability and labelling, and since the 2021 oxyde d’éthylène recalls the DGCCRF and retail chains scrutinise every spice lot. Importers in Marseille, Lyon, Paris and Bordeaux work with Kohenoor International because:
- Résidus tested per lot — Each lot is tested against EU Regulation (EC) 396/2005 MRLs and for ethylene oxide (ETO + 2-chloroethanol), with the accredited laboratory report sent before the vessel sails.
- Not on the increased-control list — Pakistani single-spice fenugreek is not listed under Regulation (EU) 2019/1793, so consignments clear the SIVEP border post at Marseille or Le Havre under standard controls.
- Herbalist and pharmacy grade — Clean, uniform golden seed with low foreign matter for herboristeries, phytotherapy brands and organic shops selling graines de fenugrec for lactation, appetite and glycaemic support.
- Bold grade for ras-el-hanout and curry — Even-grinding bold seed for the spice houses of Marseille and Paris supplying Maghrebi, Réunionnais and Indian cuisines.
- Feed-grade volume in big bags — Regular grade at feed pricing for equine, veal and pet-food manufacturers in Brittany, Normandy and the Loire.
- Documentation in French — Invoices, packing lists and certificates supplied with French translations for your transitaire and the DGDDI declaration in DELTA.
The French Fenugreek Market: Spice, Phytotherapy and Feed
France is one of Europe’s largest spice-consuming countries and imports several hundred tonnes of fenugreek seed a year, mainly through Marseille-Fos and Le Havre. The Maghrebi community drives demand for hulba in ras-el-hanout and couscous spices, the Réunionnais, Mauritian and Indian communities buy méthi for cari and massalé, and mainstream retailers now list fenugreek in their curry and tandoori blends. Marseille’s historic spice trade and the industrial blenders of the Paris region and Lyon buy whole seed in container lots.
The second engine is phytotherapy. France has the largest herbalist and pharmacy-supplement market in Europe, and fenugrec is a top-selling seed for lactation, appetite and blood-sugar formulas, sold as whole seed, powder, capsules and extract. These buyers require pesticide-residue and heavy-metal reports and often organic certification. Third, the equine sector — France has one of the largest horse populations in Europe — and calf-feed makers use fenugreek as an appetite stimulant. India dominates supply, but the residue detentions of recent years have pushed French importers to qualify Pakistan as a second origin with the same bold golden seed and cleaner reports.
Who Buys Pakistani Fenugreek in France
Spice Houses & Blenders
Marseille, Paris, Lyon
Even grind, bold golden seed
Industrial blenders producing ras-el-hanout, curry, colombo and massalé for retail and foodservice.
Recommended: Bold grade, 25 kg paper bags
Herbalists & Phytotherapy Brands
Paris, Lyon, Toulouse
Residue-tested, organic option
Herboristeries and supplement makers selling graines de fenugrec, powder and capsules.
Recommended: Bold grade, tested lots, 500 kg–5 MT
Maghrebi & Asian Wholesalers
Marseille, Paris (Barbès), Lyon
Retail-ready packs
Distributors to épiceries orientales and Indian-Ocean grocers needing hulba and méthi.
Recommended: Bold grade, private label
Flavour & Extract Companies
Grasse, Lyon, Île-de-France
High saponin, sotolon aroma
Flavour houses and extractors producing fenugreek absolute and maple-type flavours.
Recommended: Regular grade, big bags
Equine & Calf Feed Makers
Brittany, Normandy, Pays de la Loire
Feed-grade price, palatability
Compound-feed and supplement manufacturers using fenugreek as an appetite enhancer.
Recommended: Regular grade, 1 MT big bags
Organic Food Brands
Nationwide
AB / EU organic lots
Bio retailers and brands sourcing certified organic fenugreek for tea and sprouting.
Recommended: Organic bold grade, 25 kg
Résumé en français : graines de fenugrec du Pakistan pour les importateurs français
Kohenoor International (depuis 1957) exporte des graines de fenugrec triées optiquement (Trigonella foenum-graecum, code NC 0910 99) vers les négociants en épices, herboristeries et fabricants d’aliments pour animaux en France. Pureté 99,5 %, humidité ≤10 %, chaque lot analysé pour les résidus de pesticides (LMR UE), l’oxyde d’éthylène et les aflatoxines, avec certificat d’analyse et certificat phytosanitaire. Expédition FOB Karachi ou CIF Marseille-Fos / Le Havre en 22-30 jours, commande minimale 1 tonne, prix conteneur dès 18 tonnes. Demandez un devis et un échantillon gratuit par WhatsApp au +92-310-4929292 ou export@kohenoorint.com.
Fenugreek Seeds Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|
| Botanical Name | Trigonella foenum-graecum L. |
| Common Names | Fenugreek, Methi, Hulba, Bockshornklee, Fenugrec, Alholva |
| Grade | Bold (golden-yellow) and Regular; whole seed, food/grinding/tea/extraction grade |
| Purity | 99.5% minimum, sortex-cleaned and de-stoned |
| Moisture | ≤10% |
| Admixture | ≤0.5% |
| Pesticide Residues | Tested per lot against EU Regulation (EC) 396/2005 MRLs; report supplied |
| Ethylene Oxide | Tested per lot (ETO + 2-chloroethanol); report supplied |
| Aflatoxin (B1 / total) | Lab-tested per lot; Certificate of Analysis with every shipment |
| Microbiology | Salmonella absent in 25 g; steam-sterilised lots available on request |
| Harvest | March–May (new crop available from May) |
| Shelf Life | 24 months in cool, dry storage |
| Origin | Sindh & Punjab, Pakistan |
| HS Code | 0910.99 |
| Packaging | 25/50 kg PP or multi-wall paper bags; 1 MT big bags; private label available |
| MOQ | 1 Metric Ton (500 kg trial lots and free samples available) |
| Incoterms | FOB Karachi / CFR / CIF |
| Documents | Phytosanitary Certificate + Certificate of Analysis + Certificate of Origin with every shipment |
Shipping & Logistics: Karachi to France
We load at Karachi Port (KICT / SAPT) with services via Jebel Ali or direct Mediterranean loops to the French gateways:
| Destination Port | Typical Transit Time | Serves |
|---|
| Marseille-Fos | 22-27 days | Southern France, Lyon, historic spice trade; SIVEP border post |
| Le Havre | 26-30 days | Paris region, Normandy, northern France |
| Montoir / Nantes-Saint-Nazaire | 27-31 days | Brittany and Loire feed industry |
| Antwerp (for north-east France) | 24-29 days | Lille, Strasbourg and Alsace via truck |
Documentation for the DGCCRF, French Customs and EU Border Control
Fenugreek enters France as a food of non-animal origin under Regulation (EU) 2017/625, checked at the SIVEP border control post and declared by your transitaire in DELTA. Every Kohenoor consignment to France includes:
- Phytosanitary Certificate — issued by Pakistan’s Department of Plant Protection for entry into the EU
- Certificate of Analysis — pesticide residues (EU MRL), ethylene oxide, aflatoxin, heavy metals, moisture, purity and microbiology per lot
- Certificate of Origin — Chamber of Commerce certificate; statement of origin where GSP+ preferences apply
- Commercial Invoice & Packing List — with NC code 0910 99, weights, lot numbers and seal numbers, French translation supplied
- Bill of Lading & Insurance — original B/L or telex release and marine insurance certificate for CIF shipments
How Importers in France Order From Us
- Step 1 — Enquiry & Quote: Send your target specification, volume, and destination port via our order page or WhatsApp. We respond with a firm FOB Karachi / CFR / CIF quotation within 24 hours, valid for a stated period against current crop pricing.
- Step 2 — Sample Approval: We courier a representative sample to your facility or laboratory in France so you can verify the lot against the Certificate of Analysis before committing.
- Step 3 — Contract & Payment: We issue a proforma invoice covering quantity, specification, packing, Incoterms, and payment terms (T/T or irrevocable LC at sight). Processing and container booking begin on confirmation.
- Step 4 — Shipment & Documents: Container stuffed, sealed, and loaded at Karachi; the complete document set is couriered or released per agreed terms before arrival at your port in France.
Why Kohenoor International
French retailers delist a spice brand after one residue recall. Kohenoor International tests before loading, ships with complete French-language documentation and already supplies fenugreek, fennel and sesame to importers in Germany, the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands.
- Exporting Since 1957 — Nearly seven decades of continuous agricultural export experience from Hyderabad, Sindh, across three generations of the business.
- 70+ Countries Served — Our seeds, herbs, spices, and Himalayan salt ship to buyers in more than 70 countries across five continents.
- ISO 9001:2015 + HACCP Certified — Documented quality management and food-safety controls across sourcing, processing, and packing.
- 60+ Product Portfolio — Alfalfa, Rhodes grass, berseem, sesame, fennel, fenugreek, Himalayan salt, and dozens more — consolidate several products into one container from one audited supplier.
- Industry Memberships — Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce, Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP), and the International Seed Federation (ISF).
- Full Traceability & Testing — Every lot is lab-tested and shipped with a Certificate of Analysis; samples are couriered before you commit.
