STAR ANISE GUIDE

Star Anise: Harvest Timing and How We Price It

How the spring and autumn harvest cycle affects star anise supply, and how to read our dated reference price before you order.

By Fu Yang Updated 17 September 2026

A vibrating screen separating raw star anise from stems and leaves

PRACTICAL TIPS

Four things timing changes

Four things timing changes
Timing point	What it affects	What to do
Straight after a harvest window	Fresh lots enter the market; supply is fuller and material is more recently dried.	Ask whether the offered lot is from the current harvest or from held stock.
Between harvest windows	Available material is drawn from held stock; moisture and storage condition depend on how it was kept.	Request the storage duration and moisture result for the specific lot offered.
Our reference price	The published range is reviewed on a dated cycle, not fixed for the year.	Check the “Reviewed” date on the product page and ask for a current quotation before ordering.
Booking close to a harvest window	Demand can extend preparation lead time.	Share your target shipment date early so we can confirm realistic preparation timing.

QUICK CHECK

Before you commit to a star anise order

Ask whether the offered lot is from the current or a previous harvest
Check the reference price's review date and request an updated quotation
Share your target shipment month so preparation lead time can be confirmed
Confirm moisture and storage details for material held from an earlier harvest

Exact harvest dates vary by growing area and season; we do not publish a fixed month-by-month calendar or a historical price table. This guide explains how timing relates to supply and price, and what to confirm for your order — ask us for the current harvest status and a dated quotation.

BUYER QUESTIONS

Frequently asked questions

What should be confirmed before this guide is used for an order?

Use the checklist: Ask whether the offered lot is from the current or a previous harvest; Check the reference price's review date and request an updated quotation; Share your target shipment month so preparation lead time can be confirmed; Confirm moisture and storage details for material held from an earlier harvest.

Does this guide replace an agreed specification or laboratory result?

No. It helps frame the decision, but the order should remain connected to an agreed specification, an identified sample or lot and the requested checks.

What important limitation should be kept in mind?

Star Anise: Harvest Timing and How We Price It

Before you commit to a star anise order

More practical guides

Spring vs Autumn Star Anise

Choosing a Star Anise Form

Choose the Right Chinese Cassia Form

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