US Imports of Essential Oils, 2009 to 2013 Part One

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Horace Ryan
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US Imports of Essential Oils, 2009 to 2013 Part One Import volumes and unit values for a range of essential oil imports into the US are given in the Tables below.

1 US Imports of Essential Oils, 2009 to 2013 Part One Import volumes and unit values for a range of essential oil imports into the US are given in the Tables below. Data for a further range of oils will be given in a subsequent note. Care is needed in assessing import price information as in many cases the data presented will cover a range of qualities. In some cases, the data will cover several different oil types clove oil data will include both clove bud oil, clove stem oil, and clove leaf oil, and prices are different for each of these oils; cassia oil data covers both cassia and true cinnamon oils, etc. However, not withstanding these complications, the data give an indication of prices, volumes and trends. In general the European import market is larger than the US market for essential oils, with France having a controlling position in the import of many essential oils. European imports will be 30 to 50% higher than US imports in many cases. However, the EU only gives a breakdown of imports for a restricted range of essential oil, so the US provides a better data set. 1. Geranium oil Production of geranium oil is dominated by Egypt and China, with prices for conventional oils fluctuating in the range US$100 to US$130/kg. Very small quantities of rose geranium oil (bourbon oil) are produced in a number of African countries South Africa, Madagascar, Rwanda and this oil commands a significant price premium.

2 2. Vetiver oil Production of vetiver oil is dominated by Haiti, with Indonesia the second, but very much smaller, origin. Prices fluctuate substantially depending on availability, but are typically in the range US$130 to US$150/kg. 3. Eucalyptus oil Production of eucalyptus oil is dominated by China. A range of secondary sources also supply, including Brazil, India, Australia, South Africa. There are a range of eucalyptus oil types medicinal (cineole rich); perfumery (citronellal type); industrial (piperitone type) and care is therefore needed in interpreting prices and volumes. 4. Citronella oil Indonesia is the major supplier of citronella oil, followed by China. Import prices are in the range US$15 to US$18/kg. Sri Lanka makes a small supply to the market, but from a different grass species.

3 5. Lemongrass oil Supply is dominated by India and Guatemala. Each origin supplies from a different species, East and West Indian lemongrass respectively, with West Indian oil obtaining a premium.

4 6. Patchouli oil Supply of patchouli oil is dominated by Indonesia, although India is now starting to emerge as a second significant source. India has been developing patchouli production for some years, but given the scale of its domestic demand has only recently started to make significant exports. A number of African countries are also trying to develop supply, including Madagascar, Rwanda, and Ghana. Guatemala is also developing supply. Prices for patchouli oil can fluctuate significantly, but is currently fairly stable in the range US$40 to US$60/kg. 7. Clove oils Prodution of all types of clove oil leaf, stem and bud is dominated by Indonesia. Madagascar, the largest exporter of cloves, also exports some oil, typically clove leaf oil.

5 8. Cassia (and Cinnamon) oils Supply of cassia oils is dominated by China, with a range of SE Asian countries also making supply. Sri Lanka supplies true cinnamon oil (from Cinnamomun verum, syn C. zylanicum). The low prices shown here for Sri Lankan oils indicate that the imports are of cinnamom leaf oil, not the bark oil. 9. Cedarwood oil Supply is dominated by China. Cedarwood oil is obtained from a number of different species, and the US has substantial domestic production.

6 10. Anise oil China dominates supply. 11. Lime oil Mexico dominates supply. Prices are rising consistently reflecting supply shortages over demand.

7 12. Bergamot oil Production of bergamot oil is dominated by Italy. A number of African countries have developed the crop Ivory Coast, Tanzania (Zanzibar) but production remains small.

Product Origin/Grade Prices per KG (US$) Clove bud Indonesian $26/kg 200kg lots. Clove stem Indonesian $31/kg container

Product Origin/Grade Prices per KG (US$) Clove bud Indonesian $26/kg 200kg lots. Clove stem Indonesian $31/kg container Price Information Conventional essential oils PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THESE ARE ONLY PRICE INDICATIONS. Price indications collected from the markets are given for a range of essential oils, below. The oils