0. Executive Summary
Judgment axis | Key judgment |
| Item Identity | Fenugreek is Trigonella foenum-graecum L. of the Fabaceae family and is an annual crop whose leaves and seeds are both edible. Kew recognizes it as an accepted species. ( Plants of the World Online ) |
| Key role | Fresh leaves are used as vegetables, herbs, and cooking ingredients, while seeds are utilized in whole, ground, and powder forms as spices, curries, and seasonings. |
| Harvesting principle | Harvesting for leaves is done during the vegetative growth stage, while harvesting for seeds is done after flowering and fruiting, when the plants are fully mature. The two harvesting purposes are not managed in the same lot. |
| Product separation | It is separated into Fresh Leaf/Stem → Washed Fresh Product and Mature Seed → Dried Whole Seed → Ground/Powder → Extract. |
| Separation of similar items | T. foenum-graecum and other Trigonella species are separate plant entities. Although T. caerulea is mentioned alongside them in some Codex taxonomic data, it is not automatically integrated with the general fenugreek. ( FAOHome ) |
| Domestic statistics | The official national statistical figures for the independent cultivation area and production volume of fenugreek in South Korea were not verified in this v1.0 version; therefore, they will be entered later after verification of the official raw data . |
| Supply and demand risk | The major risks are mixing of varieties and harvest purposes, fresh leaf freshness, variations in seed maturity and drying, foreign matter, microorganisms, and pesticide residues, variations in aroma and bitterness, and import prices and exchange rates. |
| Operating Principles | Connect Species–Cultivar–Farm–Harvest Purpose–Leaf/Seed Lot–Processing–Certificate–Buyer RFQ. |
| Final goal | It involves connecting the different markets for fresh leaves and seeds under a single Plant Master while operating the Product, Lot, and Buyer separately. |
1. Plant Identity & Product Master
Basic fields | detail |
| Korean name | Horopa |
| English name | Fenugreek |
| Representative scientific name | Trigonella foenum-graecum L. |
| classification | Fabaceae → Trigonella → T. foenum-graecum |
| Edible parts | leaves, tender stems, seeds |
| Non-edible · Separate management | Aging stems, roots, sorting residues, etc. |
| Major harvesting stages | Vegetative growth stage for fresh leaves / Fruit and seed maturation stage for seeds |
| Basic product form | Fresh Leaf·Stem·Whole Seed·Ground/Powder·Extract |
| Basic processing stage | Fresh leaves: Harvest → Sorting → Washing → Pre-cooling → Packaging / Seeds: Harvest → Drying → Threshing → Sorting → Grinding |
| Basic use | Raw Vegetables · Cooking · Spices · Curry · Sauces · HMR · Food Manufacturing |
| Similarity Principle | Separation from Trigonella species based on scientific name |
Kew treats Telis foenum-graecum (L.) Kuntze as a synonym for Trigonella foenum-graecum. Therefore, the corresponding name in past literature and supply documents is linked as a Synonym/Search Alias rather than a separate Plant Entity. ( Plants of the World Online )
Product Master
Product | Product stage | Key Management Standards |
| Fenugreek Planting Seed Lot | breeding materials | Scientific name · Cultivar · Seed source · Germination · Lot |
| Fenugreek Field Lot | production stage | Variety · Origin · Sowing Date · Harvest Purpose |
| Fresh Fenugreek Leaf | Raw leaves | Harvest date, leaf color, year, damage |
| Fresh Leaf & Stem | Fresh Vegetable Product | Leaf/Stem Ratio · Freshness |
| Trimmed Fenugreek Greens | Preprocessing | Removal of aged leaves and roots · Specifications |
| Washed Fenugreek Greens | Washed items | Washing water, hygiene, microorganisms |
| Fresh Packed Methi | For retail and food service | Weight, Refrigeration, and Use-by Date |
| Mature Fenugreek Seed | Raw seeds | Maturity · Harvest Year |
| Dried Whole Fenugreek Seed | Basic spice ingredients | Moisture, color, scent, purity |
| Cleaned Fenugreek Seed | Selected | Foreign matter, foreign seeds, damage |
| Graded Fenugreek Seed | Standard parts | Size, color, and uniformity |
| Crushed Fenugreek | shredded | Raw Material Lot · Crushing Degree |
| Ground Fenugreek | Crushed product | Particle size, scent, microorganisms |
| Fenugreek Powder | B2B powder | Raw material purity, particle size, and safety |
| Fenugreek Extract | extract | Raw Material Part · Solvent · Concentration · Batch |
| Spice/Curry Blend | Mixture | Fenugreek Ratio · Other Spices |
| Buyer-specific Ingredient | specific use | Leaf/Seed · Grain Size · Scent · Delivery Time |
2. Product Classification & Use Segmentation
Classification criteria | Subdivision type | Management principles |
| Plant classification | T. foenum-graecum | Separated from other species |
| varieties | Leaf/Seed Aptitude Cultivar | Seed verification link |
| Edible parts | Leaf·Stem·Seed | Separation by Product |
| Harvesting stage | Fresh leaf harvesting, flowering, and seed maturation | Harvest Purpose Required |
| Cultivation method | Open field, greenhouse, and seasonal cultivation | Management by mountain area |
| origin | Country → Region → Farm | Traceability |
| Distribution methods | Fresh · Washed · Dried · Cleaned | Product Separation |
| Processing form | Whole·Crushed·Ground·Powder·Extract | Independent Product |
| Final use | Fresh vegetables, curry, sauces, seasonings, HMR, food ingredients | Buyer Application |
| Transaction type | Procurement from production areas, contract farming, regular supply, processing contracts | RFQ |
| certification | GAP, Organic, Food Safety, etc. | Verify actual certificate |
3. Production, Harvest & Post-harvest
Kew describes T. foenum-graecum as an annual plant native to Iraq through northern Pakistan that grows primarily in temperate biomes. ( Plants of the World Online )
step | Essential Dataset | Management purpose |
| Cultivation plan | Variety · Leaf/Seed Purpose · Area · Buyer | Production Direction |
| satellite | Seed Source · Cultivar · Lot · Germination | Plant Identity |
| sowing | Sowing date, sowing quantity, planting | Production history |
| germination | Date of appearance and germination status | Growth management |
| Growth management | Number of leaves, plant height, branching | Fresh leaf harvest prediction |
| rising | Temperature, rainfall, humidity, and solar radiation | Production Risk |
| Watering | Water source, timing, and supply volume | Growth and quality |
| dispute | Materials, timing, and usage | Production and Safety |
| pests | Occurrence, Control, and Chemicals | Losses and pesticide residues |
| Fresh leaf harvest judgment | Leaf size, color, and stem condition | Fresh Grade |
| Harvest fresh leaves | Date, Section, Weight | Fresh Lot |
| Selection | Yellowing, damage, foreign matter | Marketability |
| purifying | Water quality and hygiene | Fresh-cut Safety |
| Pre-cooling | Post-harvest temperature reduction | Freshness |
| Refrigerated storage | Temperature and time | Shelf-life |
| flowering | Flowering date and uniformity | Seed Production |
| Pod and seed formation | Maturity and seed formation | Production forecast |
| Seed harvest judgment | Maturity · Detachment · Weather | Harvesting at the right time |
| Seed harvest | Date/Weight | Seed Lot |
| dry | Method, time, moisture | Zhejiang Province |
| threshing grain | Seed recovery/loss | Raw Seed |
| Jeongseon | Stem, soil, other seeds | water |
| Selection | Color, size, defects | Grade |
| save | Temperature, humidity, and period | Quality maintenance |
| smash | Particle Size · Batch | Ground Product |
| extraction | Raw material part, solvent, concentration | Extract |
4. Quality Specification & Lot Management
Quality items | Fresh Leaf/Stem | Washed/Packed | Whole Seed | Ground/Powder | Extract · Finished Product | Public rating |
| scientific name | essential | succession | essential | succession | succession | Public/Verified |
| Edible parts | Leaf/Stem | Leaf/Stem | Seed | Seed | Raw material inheritance | Public |
| mountainous district | essential | essential | essential | succession | succession | Public/Verified |
| varieties | essential | succession | essential | succession | succession | Verified |
| farmhouse | essential | essential | essential | Raw material connection | Raw material connection | Verified |
| Lot | essential | essential | essential | essential | essential | Verified/NDA |
| Harvest day | essential | essential | essential | succession | tracking | Verified |
| appearance | Leaf discoloration, yellowing, damage | Product specifications | Color and wholesomeness | Raw material inspection | By product | Member |
| weight | essential | Packaging weight | essential | Packaging weight | By product | NDA |
| size | leaves and stems | Packaging specifications | Seed size | Island | — | Member |
| rating | Fresh Grade | Buyer Grade | ISO/Buyer | Product Spec | Product Spec | Member |
| pests | check | record | check | succession | succession | Verified |
| Yellowing and wilting | core | core | — | — | — | Verified |
| impairment | core | core | check | Raw material inspection | QC | Verified |
| alien substance | core | core | core | core | core | Verified |
| moisture | fresh leaf condition | Freshness | Storage Core | By product | By product | Verified |
| Aroma and bitterness | Fresh leaf evaluation | Fresh leaf evaluation | core | core | Application | Member/Verified |
| microorganism | importance | core | If necessary | core | By product | Verified/NDA |
| pesticide residues | test | succession | test | Raw material inheritance | Conformity to standards | Verified/NDA |
| Cleaning history | — | essential | — | — | — | Verified |
| Pre-cooling and refrigeration | core | essential | — | — | — | Verified |
| Drying history | — | — | essential | succession | succession | Verified |
| Jeongseon History | — | — | essential | succession | succession | Verified |
| Grinding history | — | — | — | essential | succession | Verified/NDA |
| Extraction history | — | — | — | — | essential | NDA |
| packaging | essential | core | essential | essential | essential | Member/Verified |
| Consumption/Preservation Period | importance | essential | Supplier Spec | By product | By product | Verified |
| Shipment | essential | essential | essential | essential | essential | Verified |
| Returns | record | record | record | record | record | NDA |
| Claim | record | record | record | record | record | NDA |
| Repurchase | Buyer Connection | Buyer Connection | Buyer Connection | Buyer Connection | Buyer Connection | NDA |
ISO 6575:1982 specifies requirements, sampling, test methods, packaging, and labeling for fenugreek seed whole/ground products. The current revision, ISO/DIS 6575 Edition 2, also maintains the same product scope. ( ISO )
Lot Master Required Field
Lot ID · Item/Product Type · Scientific Name · Edible Part (Leaf/Stem/Seed) · Variety · Harvest Purpose · Cultivation Type · Country/Origin/Cultivation Area · Producer · Seed Lot · Sowing Date · Harvest Year · Harvest Date · Quality Indicators · Weight/Size/Specifications/Grade · Yellowing/Damage/Foreign Matter/Other Seeds/Pests and Diseases Check · Pesticide Use Records · Pesticide Residue/Microbiological Test Reports · Fresh Leaf Washing/Pre-cooling/Refrigeration History or Seed Drying/Threshing/Selection/Storage History · Raw Material Lot · Grinding/Extraction History · Packaging Date · Use-by Date/Best Before Date · Shipper · Returns/Claims · Repurchase
5. Korea Market & Demand Structure
Customers | Purchase criteria | Cooperation opportunities |
| domestic production farms | Breed · Leaf/Seed Suitability · Buyer | contract farming |
| production area distribution organization | Joint sorting, refrigeration, and standardization | Fresh RFQ |
| specialty store for foreign foods | Fresh leaf freshness and cycle | Methi Greens |
| Indian and South Asian food service companies | Fresh leaf, seed, and powder specifications | Regular supply |
| Hotel · Restaurant | Fresh Herb · Aroma · Freshness | Premium Supply |
| spice importer | Origin·Whole/Ground·Crop Year | Global RFQ |
| Curry and spice manufacturers | Whole/Powder · Aroma · Bitter taste | Blend Ingredient |
| sauce manufacturer | Powder · Dispersibility | Sauce |
| HMR · Meal Kit | Fresh/Spice Standardization | B2B |
| Food manufacturer | Purity, Microorganisms, Supply Stability | Ingredient |
| school meals | Pesticide residues, microorganisms, delivery dates | Fresh/Processed |
| Online/Distribution | Small packaging · Origin · Labeling | Retail |
| PB | Curry·Seasoning·Herb Product | OEM/PB |
| Extraction and processing company | Seed/Leaf · Extraction Yield | Extract |
| exporters | Destination Country Spec·HS | Processed Product |
| Research Institute | Variety, fresh leaves, seeds, aroma, processing | joint research |
6. Trade & Supply-chain Intelligence
step | Key variables | Operational judgment |
| Domestic fresh leaf production | Variety, Cultivation Type, Region | Fresh Supply |
| contract farming | Leaf/Seed Purpose | Buyer stable supply |
| Fresh leaf sorting and refrigeration | Freshness and microorganisms | Fresh Quality |
| Seed production | Crop Year · Maturity | Spice Supply |
| Drying and threshing | Moisture loss | Seed Quality |
| Jeongseon | Foreign matter/other seeds | Purity |
| Mountain storage | Packaging and duration | Scent and quality |
| international procurement | Supplier·Origin·Lot | Supply Risk |
| Import customs clearance | HS · Origin · Inspection | Compliance |
| Domestic storage | Whole/Ground Separation | Inventory Management |
| smash | Whole→Powder | Processing |
| extraction | Seed/Leaf→Extract | Ingredient |
| food processing | Curry · Sauce · HMR | Application |
| delivery | Buyer Spec | RFQ |
| Repurchase | Quality, Scent, Price | Supplier Score |
Trade Dataset
item | v1.0 processing |
| Codex HS reference | 09109912 Check Fenugreek ( FAOHome ) |
| EU historical CN | 09109910 Fenugreek seed check ( EUR-Lex ) |
| Korean HS-K 10-digit | Subsequent verification of official raw data by the Korea Customs Service |
| Korea's import volume | Input after official verification of raw data |
| Korean import value | Input after official verification of raw data |
| Major countries of origin | Subsequent verification of customs clearance data by country |
| Whole/Ground distinction | Need to verify the Korean HS-K explanation |
| Fresh Leaf HS | Separate verification from the royal family |
| Extract | HS verification separate from raw seeds |
| FTA | Verification by Country, HS, and Criteria of Origin |
| Quarantine | Confirmation by seed, fresh leaves, and dried seeds |
| Food inspection | Verification by raw vegetables, spices, powders, and extracts |
7. Processing, By-products & PRP Intelligence
Products and processes | Key conditions | RFQ conversion |
| Fresh Fenugreek Leaf | Freshness, Leaf Color, Harvest Date | Fresh Herb RFQ |
| Trimmed Greens | Leaves/Stems · Specifications | Dining Out · HMR |
| Washed Greens | Hygiene and microorganisms | School Meals · Fresh-cut |
| Mature Seed | Crop Year · Maturity | Seed Processor |
| Dried Whole Seed | Moisture, fragrance, purity | Spice RFQ |
| Cleaned/Graded Seed | Foreign matter/size | Manufacturer |
| Crushed Fenugreek | Crushing degree | Spice Blend |
| Ground Fenugreek | Particle size and microorganisms | Curry Sauce |
| Fenugreek Powder | Uniformity and purity | B2B Ingredient |
| Fenugreek Extract | Raw material part, solvent, concentration | Ingredient |
| Curry Blend | Blending ratio · Fragrance | HMR · Dining Out |
| Seasoning Blend | Formula · Particle Size | OEM/PB |
| Non-commercial fresh leaves | Yellowing/Damage | Verification of food conversion status |
| Seed Screenings | Damage, foreign matter | Reprocessing/Disposal |
| Cultivation residue | stem and root | Review of compost and agricultural return |
| extraction residue | Processing by-products | Legal verification of feed, compost, etc. |
Fenugreek seeds (Whole/Ground Product) are linked to the ISO 6575 standard system, while fresh leaf products are managed under a separate Fresh Quality Profile. ( ISO )
The conversion of food, functional, pharmaceutical, or cosmetic materials is expressed only when official safety, raw material recognition, and legal compliance have been confirmed.
PRP — Product Research Profile
Horopa PRP operates on two axes.
Fresh Leaf PRP
Species → Cultivar → Field → Harvest Stage → Leaf/Stem Quality → Washing → Cooling → Shelf-life → Buyer Application → RFQ Performance
Seed/Spice PRP
Species → Cultivar → Origin → Crop Year → Seed Maturity → Drying/Threshing → Purity → Whole/Ground Quality → Processing → Buyer Application → RFQ Performance
8. AX Transformation
first of all | Execution item | Performance indicators |
| 1 | Make Scientific Name, Variety, Edible Part, Harvest Purpose, and Lot mandatory | Essential Field Completion Rate |
| 2 | Separation of Fresh Leaf·Whole Seed·Ground·Powder·Extract Product | Product identification rate |
| 3 | Linking weather, growth, flowering, fruiting, and harvest data | Field–Lot Connection Rate |
| 4 | Datafication of fresh leaf washing, pre-cooling, and refrigeration history | Cold-chain recording rate |
| 5 | Datafication of seed drying, threshing, and sorting history | Post-harvest record rate |
| 6 | Video AI screening for fresh leaf yellowing, damage, and foreign matter | Selection accuracy |
| 7 | Video AI Seed Sorting for Foreign Matter, Other Seeds, and Defects | Purity Accuracy |
| 8 | Prediction of optimal fresh leaf harvest time and shipment volume | Harvest Forecast |
| 9 | Seed Production and Supply Forecast | Yield Forecast |
| 10 | Whole→Powder Processing Yield Prediction | Processing Yield |
| 11 | Product–Buyer AI Match | RFQ → Sample Conversion Rate |
| 12 | Delivery, Claim, and Repurchase Runtime Connection | Repurchase rate |
9. Industry Problem Bank
Problem group | Problem Definition | Required data |
| Mixed fresh leaves and seeds | Integrated management of different markets for the same plant | Harvest Purpose |
| Mixed Species | Confused with other Trigonella species | Scientific Name |
| Cultivar unmanaged | Differences in fresh leaf and seed suitability | Cultivar |
| Decline in freshness of fresh leaves | Yellowing, wilting, and moisture loss | Cold Chain |
| raw leaf microorganisms | Washing and Distribution Hygiene Risk | Microbiology |
| Residual pesticides on fresh leaves | Fresh Consumption Characteristics | Spray·COA |
| Seed maturity variation | Differences in scent, quantity, and dryness | Maturity |
| Drying deviation | Moisture, mold, and shelf life | Drying |
| foreign objects | Decrease in seed purity | Purity |
| Whole-Ground Disconnection | Weakening of raw material identification after grinding | Genealogy |
| Variation in aroma and bitterness | Differences in variety, origin, and processing | Sensory |
| dependence on imports | Risk of international supply of spices and seeds | Origin·Supplier |
| Price and exchange rate fluctuations | Impact on domestic processing costs | Trade·FX |
| HS Code Discrepancy | Differences in code subdivision by international and national standards | HS Mapping |
| ISO Version Change | Revision of the 1982 edition in progress in 2026 | Standard Version |
| Buyer Spec Discrepancy | Differences in requirements by Curry, Fresh, and HMR | RFQ Spec |
| Inventory turnover difference | Difference in shelf-life between fresh leaves and dried seeds | Inventory |
| Repurchase not reflected | Delivery performance is not linked to raw material selection | Buyer Evaluation |
10. Farmer RFQ & Collaboration Model
RFQ Type | Public Registration | Verify/NDA |
| Fresh Leaf for Sale | Variety · Region · Expected Harvest | Farm, Volume, Unit Price |
| Fresh Leaf Purchase | Leaves/Stems · Specifications | Target quantity and price |
| Regular supply of fresh leaves | General Spec/Period | Weekly/Monthly Volume · Contract Unit Price |
| contract farming | Leaf/Seed Purpose/Variety | Farms, Area, and Purchase Conditions |
| Washing and packaging products | Shape and packaging | Microorganisms and prices |
| Whole Fenugreek Seed | Origin · Crop Year | Lot · COA · Price |
| Cleaned/Graded Seed | Purity · Grade | Actual Spec/Unit Price |
| Ground Fenugreek | Particle size and uses | Raw Material Lot·MOQ |
| Fenugreek Powder | Product form | COA · Price |
| Extract | Seed/Leaf·Application | Process/Concentration |
| Curry/Spice Blend | Standard configuration | Formula · Cost |
| Foodservice delivery | Fresh/Spice | Delivery time/Unit price |
| School meal delivery | Fresh/Processed | Safety and Cycle |
| HMR · Meal Kit | Fresh/Powder | Recipe · MOQ |
| OEM·PB | Curry·Seasoning·Herb Product | Formula · Contract |
| export | Product · Destination Country | HS · Quarantine · Price |
| Technology demonstration | Variety · Refrigeration · Sorting · Traceability | raw data |
| Research cooperation | Fresh leaves, seeds, quality, processing | IP · Exam materials |
11. RFQ Request First
① Need Products & Materials
Companies and institutions seeking necessary products, agricultural products, raw materials, and processed goods register purchasing demands. Registered requests are utilized to review cooperation with potential suppliers and producers based on the RFQ Intelligence Library.
Process:
RFQ Registration → Supplier/Product Review → Collaboration Connection → Future AI Matching
Register
② We are looking for production and manufacturing partners. (Need Suppliers & Manufacturers)
Register a request to find necessary production and supply partners, ranging from farms and producer organizations to processing companies, OEM, ODM, and private label manufacturers.
Process:
RFQ Registration → Review of Production & Manufacturing Capabilities → Collaboration Connection → Future AI Partner Matching
Register
③ We are looking for domestic and international buyers. (Need Buyers)
Farmers, producer organizations, and manufacturing companies are requesting cooperation with new buyers, such as domestic and international distributors, importers, brand companies, and food service and catering businesses.
Process:
RFQ Registration → Product & Supply Capability Review → Market & Buyer Connection → Future AI Buyer Matching
Register
Contact : mail@markethub.org
Version History
Version | Main contents | situation |
| v1.0 | Plant Identity · Fresh Leaf/Seed Dual Product · ISO 6575 · Production · Quality · RFQ Basic Structure Registration | complete |
| v1.1 | Reflecting official domestic production, Fresh market, HS import raw data, and the final status of ISO 6575 revision | expected |
| v2.0 | Quality, processing, and PRP segmentation by Fresh Leaf, Washed Product, Whole Seed, Ground/Powder, and Extract | expected |
| v3.0 | Farm – Origin Distribution/Cold Storage – Import/Spice Processing – Foodservice/HMR/Food Buyer Verified Container Combination | expected |
