Essential Oil Production News
Article originally published in Aromantic Newsletter, Mar 11, 2004
The French Producers suffered very badly from last years drought and, as a result, supplies are drying up rapidly. This is particularly true for organic and nonorganic Fine or officinal Lavender oils and Organic Roman Chamomile oil.
In Madagascar, supplies of Ravintsara oil are the most difficult to obtain. The reason for this is that, since last year, the American market has been interested in this Essential Oil and the Madagascar producers supported by USAID have been gearing most of their production to-wards the USA. The clove bud crop looks like being less than the previous year and this has already led to a price rise for this Essential Oil, The price of this Essential Oil coming from Madagascar still remains lower than that coming from Asia and is of a higher quality.
For organic Petitgrain Paraguay oil, our provider has developed a partnership with groups of peasants in the region of the Forest of Mbaracayu, classed as a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. In order to guarantee the protection of this site it is essential to create an economy that will allow the indigenous Indians to live both well and in harmony with their environment. In exchange for the guarantee that our provider will purchase their production they have managed to agree together the quality of the oil, that they respect the harvest dates, the grading of the leaves when they are picked from the branches of the bigaradier as well as the improvement of the distillation process in their wooden stills. The University of Assuncion, a local enterprise producing organic plants, agricultural specialists and a Foundation, are all partners in this project The Essential Oil produced in good conditions is nothing like the product which has to undergo rectification before sale by the Paraguyan wholesalers.
In New Caledonia the production of Santalum austrocaledonium (this has the same properties as Santalum album). is growing and keeping up with the increasing demand. There are various reasons for this. The indigenous production of Santalum album has had the reputation in the past of coming exclusively from smugglers with the added worry that the survival of this halfparasitical tree in the country was threatened. The price in this market has gone up and up whilst the supply has become more and more uncertain. Nowadays New Caledonia’s production is properly organised. The supply of good quality wood is guaranteed with well-managed plantations where for each tree cut down, three are planted. A Tree Nursery has been put in place to propagate all the seedlings needed. The make-up of the Essential Oil of New Caledonian origin as well as it scent is very close to the quality of the indigenous product. Both types have the same properties.
In Israel the certification of organic Grapefruit oil has been a problem and is under review. We are awaiting a report from the Israeli Inspectors regarding the processing plants for both juice and Essential Oils. In effect it is not enough that the fruit itself is organic, it is also necessary that all the processes of transformation are agreed as well by the relevant committee.
EMAIL ALERTS
