January 2025
The January 2025 market report highlights the current conditions for several prominent essential and carrier oils, reflecting both opportunities and challenges in sourcing these raw materials. Grapefruit Pink Essential Oil (Mexico) faced slight crop reductions due to drought conditions, while Helichrysum Essential Oil (Africa) experienced a decline in production by 5%-10% due to prolonged droughts. This raises concerns about future shortages of these oils. Meanwhile, Juniper Berry Organic Essential Oil from Bulgaria enjoyed stable growing conditions and consistent yields, and conventional Juniper Berry Oil production saw some improvement despite earlier crop shortages.
For our featured carrier oils, Sea Buckthorn Carrier Oil suffered a significant 20% drop in yield because of unfavorable weather, and Hemp Seed Carrier Oil production also saw a slight decrease but remains stable with sufficient stock available.
Continue reading to stay informed on the latest industry trends from the experts at New Directions Aromatics.
Grapefruit Pink Essential Oil is steam distilled from the peels of the Citrus paradisi fruits grown in Mexico and is harvested in December. This citrus fruit thrives during hot days and cool nights, with rich, well-watered soil being the most suitable for its growth. The region of cultivation experienced drought conditions during the growing period, which caused a slight decrease in the overall crop size compared to last year. Despite these challenges, the yield remains stable, although the availability of Grapefruit Pink Essential Oil may be restricted in the coming months. Bulk orders are best placed between November and December to secure supply and favorable rates.
Juniper Berry Organic Essential Oil is steam distilled from the Juniperus communis L. berries grown in Southwest Bulgaria. Organic Juniperus communis is harvested annually between July and November, flourishes in mountainous regions with rich, well-drained soils, and requires common summer weather to thrive.
This year’s growing conditions were normal, resulting in a yield consistent with the previous year. There are no anticipated shortages for Organic Juniper Berry Oil in the next quarter, and market demand for this product remains stable due to its popularity in aromatherapy. Bulk pricing inquiries are typically recommended in November when the harvest season concludes.
Steam distilled from the Helichrysum splendidum flowers grown in South Africa, Helichrysum Essential Oil is harvested during the typical dry season between October and March. This perennial plant thrives in warm, dry climates with well-drained sandy or loamy soils, which are slightly acidic to neutral in pH. Extended droughts this year have caused stressed to the crops, leading to an estimated 5%-10% decrease in yield compared to last year. The market demand for Helichrysum Essential Oil is growing, particularly in the cosmetics and wellness sectors, which could result in tighter supplies. Prospective shortages may arise if adverse weather conditions persist. Bulk pricing inquiries are ideally made during the off-season, 1-2 months before the harvest.
Juniper Berry Essential Oil is steam distilled from the Juniperus communis berries grown in India. Juniperus communis benefits from multiple harvests throughout the year, occurring between April and June and again from September to November. The plant thrives at altitudes between 800 to 3,200 meters in cooler weather conditions and well-drained soils. While the overall production remains around 10 metric tons of oil annually, there have been reports of crop shortages this year, although improvements are anticipated. Despite these challenges, no significant shortages are expected in the coming quarter as market demand for Juniper Berry Oil continues at a steady pace. To secure supply, bulk pricing inquiries are recommended during the respective harvest windows.
Cultivated from the Hippophae rhamnoides fruit using the CO2 extraction method, Sea Buckthorn Carrier Oil is harvested in China’s Huangtu Gaoyuan region between October and January. This drought-resistant crop can thrive in regions with significant temperature fluctuations between summer and winter. While it is not strict about soil requirements, Sea Buckthorn grows best in well-drained soils with moderate moisture. This year, unfavorable weather conditions have led to a 20% decrease in yield compared to last year, resulting in an insufficient harvest. Despite these challenges, the market demand for Sea Buckthorn Carrier Oil is stable. Bulk orders should ideally be placed between January and March.
Derived from the grains of the Cannabis sativa plant grown in China, Hemp Seed Carrier Oil goes through its flowering season from May to June and is fruited in July. Harvesting occurs in October, and bulk pricing inquiries are best made in November and December when the raw materials arrive at processing facilities. Hemp thrives in warm, humid climates with loose, fertile soils like loess or black soil. This year’s yield experienced a slight decrease compared to last year; however, no challenges such as infestations or adverse weather were reported. With adequate stock of raw materials, no shortages for Refined Hemp Seed Oil are expected in the next quarter. The market demand for this versatile oil remains steady, driven by its widespread applications in personal care and wellness products.