Lemongrass is sourced in dried stalks and powder, two procurement forms that require different supplier qualifications. Filter by quality, origin, and MOQ on Nutrada to find GFSI-certified suppliers and request bulk quotes.
| Value | Description |
| Botanical name | Cymbopogon citratus (West Indian), C. flexuosus (East Indian) |
| Available forms | Cut/sifted dried stalks, powder, essential oil |
| Origins | Thailand, India, Vietnam, Guatemala |
| Certifications | GFSI (BRCGS, IFS, FSSC 22000), EU Organic, Kosher, Halal |
| Common applications | Herbal teas, Thai cuisine, ready meals, aromatherapy |
| Packaging | 5-25 kg bags |
| MOQ | 25kg |
| Category | Herbs Wholesale |
| Form/Grade | What it means for procurement | Typical application |
| Cut/sifted dried stalks | Primary commercial form; citral content 65-85% of volatile oil determines aroma strength | Herbal teas, blends with hibiscus suppliers |
| Powder | Ground from dried stalks; moisture max 10-12%; requires anti-caking verification | Asian ready meals, spice blends, instant seasonings |
| Essential oil | Concentrated citral extract; requires allergen declaration above threshold levels | Aromatherapy, cosmetics, food flavoring |
| Species | What it means for procurement | Typical application |
| C. citratus (West Indian) | Higher citral content; preferred for culinary applications | Thai cuisine, cooking pastes, restaurant supply |
| C. flexuosus (East Indian) | Lower citral; primarily processed for oil extraction | Essential oil production, industrial applications |
Thailand dominates global lemongrass supply with established tropical agriculture infrastructure supporting year-round cultivation and processing capacity. Indian production concentrates in Kerala and Karnataka states, where C. flexuosus cultivation serves primarily essential oil markets with different citral profiles than Thai culinary-grade material. Guatemala has emerged as an alternative source for EU essential oil markets, providing geographic diversification from Asian origins for buyers managing supply concentration risk. Vietnamese and other Southeast Asian origins supplement Thai supply but at smaller commercial volumes. Lemongrass imports fall under Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 for pesticide maximum residue levels, with full EU pesticide panel testing standard for herb imports.
Dried lemongrass loses volatile oils when exposed to light and oxygen, requiring storage in sealed containers away from direct sunlight. Standard packaging uses 5-25 kg multi-layer kraft bags with inner polyethylene lining to preserve citral content. Store below 20 degrees Celsius at under 65% relative humidity for maximum 18-24 months shelf life. Buyers must verify volatile oil percentage and moisture content on each batch certificate, as high moisture above 12% accelerates deterioration and reduces citral concentration.
Thailand and India offer EU Organic certified lemongrass with established organic farming infrastructure in both origins. Thai organic lemongrass maintains dual USDA NOP and EU Organic certification for export flexibility. Indian organic supply focuses on C. flexuosus for essential oil extraction with organic certification programs in Kerala growing regions.
Consumer packaging formats include herbal tea sachets, loose leaf pouches, and powder jars for retail distribution. Essential oil bottles range from 10ml to 100ml for aromatherapy markets. Private label MOQs typically start at 500-1000 units depending on packaging format. Buyers must specify citral content requirements before production starts, as this determines both aroma strength and shelf life performance.
Thai manufacturers concentrate around Bangkok and northern growing regions, offering both fresh and dried processing capabilities for Asian ready meal production volumes. Indian processors in Kerala specialize in essential oil extraction with distillation infrastructure for export markets. Documentation to request includes batch-specific CoA with citral analysis, microbiological reports, and pesticide residue testing.
Nutrada lists GFSI-certified lemongrass suppliers from Thailand, India, and Guatemala, covering dried stalks, powder, and essential oil across conventional and organic supply. All orders are placed directly with certified suppliers, with no intermediary.
Last updated: Apr 10, 2026
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