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- 12/13/2016

ELIXENS Market News – end 2016

HPC Today

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ecocert logoThrough this crop report, we wish to keep you posted on ELIXENS France aromatic raw material productions and its partners. Flavors and fragrances market condition is overall regularly on the rise. Positive repercussions on the aromatic raw materials market are therefore obvious, especially considering that demand exceeds supply. Also keep in mind that climatic conditions and new regulatory constraints have impacted such materials significantly.
It is important to note that as of January 1st, 2017, the COSMOS standard will replace the existing ECOCERT Greenlife certification. This European harmonized standard is far more demanding and rigorous regarding cosmetic formulations and often requires more plant material for ingredient production. We wish to point out that our ORGANIC essential oils and hydrolates are all considered as 100% ORGANIC ingredients by COSMOS standard certification, as well as our floral waters at 22.5%.

 

Ecocert ESR standard “Fairness, Solidarity, Responsibility” and ORGANIC labels

(ELIXENS’s EO, hydrolates & floral waters grown by our partner SICA Bio-Plantes) 

Since 2009, the majority of ELIXENS essential oil and hydrolate products whose plants are cultivated by our partners at SICA Bio-Plantes, are ORGANIC and also comply with fair trade standards: Bio-Partenaire and Ecocert ESR. (Fair trade is traditionally associated with small producers from developing countries exporting to developed countries in the ‘North’. However, North-based Fair Trade is also legitimate since it promotes the maintenance of local agriculture and creates long-lasting relationships between producers and buyers. Moreover it meets consumers’ growing demand, especially in Europe and North America. This is why the scope of the ESR standard was expended to organic products in developed countries.) For more info: www.ecocert.com

 

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ORGANIC ESSENTIAL OILS & HYDROLATES

Organic Roman Chamomile: our partner farmers are more and more at ease with this traditionally difficult organic crop. A satisfactory harvest has already been put aside for the essential oil production. We thank you in advance to place your requests early. The ORGANIC, COSMOS and FAIR TRADE hydrolate is readily available.

Organic Nepeta Cataria: this very original plant is seldom cultivated in France or around the world because it is not very well known. Its citrusy scent is somewhat like lemon balm. The essential oil is very much appreciated in skincare formulation. Our production is limited; please send us your request early in the season. The ORGANIC, COSMOS and FAIR TRADE hydrolate is also quite interesting for natural and organic skincare formulations.

Conifers : we are starting the distillation cycle for Pinus sylvestris Pine, Douglas Fir, Juniper and Cedarwood. Raw materials will be available in January. We are at you service for questions and special requests.

Organic Geranium: our regional crops produce a very good quality Geranium hydrolate – 10 to 15 tons are available. Its lovely floral scent, ORGANIC, COSMOS and FAIR TRADE characteristics make it a valued asset in cosmetic formulations.

Organic Lavender & Lavandin: the 2016 harvest has been quite good, especially for northern plots, for both Lavender and Lavandin crops. Prices are rising very slightly for organic Grosso Lavandin and rising noticeably for organic Super and Abrial qualities, driven by conventional demand. The organic Clonal Lavenders are stable and organic Fine Lavenders are oriented downward. We have stocks to satisfy your needs; do not hesitate to contact us.

Organic Lemon Balm: this crop is substantial (more than 20 ha) and is still in development. The harvest was correct in 2016, for both cuts. However, the quantities of HE were reserved in advance. Hydrolate is available on reservation.

Organic Peppermint: a significant planting effort was made to propose a beautiful French quality. The Essential Oil and Hydrolate are available.

The Organic Thymes we cultivate are chemo-typed varieties of thymol, linalol or thuyanol – our productions are increasing but we advise you to reserve before the next harvest programmed in May-June. The linalool and thuyanol Hydrolates are available.

 

CONVENTIONAL ESSENTIAL OILS & OTHER ARM

CITRUS

Orange: For several years we have witnessed an erosion of the actual production capacities of Essential Oils in both Brazil and Florida. Again this year, production continued to decline and have attained historically low levels in Brazil (-22%) and Florida (-17%). Diseases sustainably affect orange trees and farmers are tempted to replace their crops with sugar cane, which has better yields and prices.

The market demand remains strong for orange and its derivatives, which continuously leads to high price pressure (prices have doubled since the past three years). Prices are now above 10€ / kg for both origins and will continue to rise in the coming months. This situation affects very strongly the flavor and perfume industries which use these products and their derivatives such as terpenes, concentrated oranges and various extracts. Availability is limited and we suggest you look out for our offers which may fluctuate according to material reception.
Lemon: The harvests in Spain and Italy are both announced good and better than those of last season. Supported by strong demand for fresh fruit, prices remain stable but we could see a slight decrease in the coming months.
Grapefruit: Florida’s poor harvest very seriously impacts Israeli origin grapefruit in terms of quality and availability. The demand is well above supply, the quantities are down. Prices of the different origins skyrocketed and supplies fell. We do not anticipate improvement in the short to medium term. Moreover, since nootkatone levels are lower, essential oils with the required levels of nootkatones are rare and more expensive.
CORIANDER
The 2016 harvest was good especially in Russia, although the weather at the time of harvesting sometimes had an unfavorable impact on the qualities. Our Ukrainian production has been satisfactory and our quality is consistent. Prices are oriented downwards and the market forecast is stable.
LAVENDERS & LAVANDINS
The French products continued their surface development supported by a notable extension of Lavandin Grosso plots (over 15,000 ha) and Clonal Lavender plots (over 2000 ha). It should be noted that Lavandin Grosso now represents more than 85% of lavandin plantations.
The high prices of lavender in recent years have stimulated plantations and compromised the market of crops that fail to meet demands. In addition, the good weather conditions have subdued withering effects. However, some areas of the Hautes Alpes have been affected by a severe drought which has amplified the declining phenomena. The 2016 harvest was generally good for lavender and lavandin. They are estimated above 75 t for lavender and more than 1350 t for lavandin.
1) Stocks of lavender, especially the Lavender Population, are high after harvest.
2) Demand in Lavandin Grosso remains strong particularly for export.
3) Low demand of Abrial and Super qualities in a very tense market causes speculative increases.
The Bulgarian lavender is very abundant after a record harvest in volume. Many offers are formulated on the market at sharply declining prices. The qualities are rather poor due to rainy weather conditions over the harvest weeks. Consequently French lavender prices are falling sharply.
MINT
The production of mint oil has been good in India. Prices and quality are stable.
ROSE
Late spring harvests were especially bad in Bulgaria. Moreover, new societal constraints have permitted to regulate field labor law and pay practices for the flower pickers. These factors have pushed prices of rose extracts up, sharply. Oil, absolute and floral water were very significantly affected. Availability is not confirmed.
SAGE
The productions of sage were very good in France. The Ukraine and China origin remain limited and at firm prices. French prices subject to unjustified speculation in 2015 are returning to more coherent levels. Oil is available.
VANILLA
The vanilla market has again blown out of proportion. Disappointing harvests due to unfavorable weather conditions and speculative thrusts again propel the price of vanilla pod to peaks. Without yet reaching record prices of 2004, the pod quadrupled its price. Availability is limited while prices are unstable. The offers of the origin type increase from day to day. Demand under an almost panic effect fuels this situation. Repercussion on flavor formulations and vanilla extracts is heavy. We do not see a reversal of this trend, unless demand slows down with reformulations or partial coverage of needs.
YLANG-YLANG
Harvesting conditions remain difficult in the Comoro Islands. Currently, ylang-ylang yields are mediocre due to the rainy season. Fractions I and II are increasingly scarce or non-existent. The demand is nevertheless strong and speculation has for several months fueled the rates of oils and flowers. At these price levels, temptation to adulterate productions is at its highest; non recommended practices of reheating fraction III are in full swing, diffusing in the market qualities of Ylang I and Extra that are totally out of norms. The quantities of fraction III are therefore limited and its price also undergoes unprecedented increases. Prices are at record levels on all origins and supplies are very limited. Consult us to check our arrivals.
On a more positive note, however, we have developed a Substitute of Ylang III. We are at your disposal for more information about this product.
GARLIC
The situation is extremely tense and the prices of both the EO and powder are very high. Last winter’s freezing temperatures in production areas in China resulted in poor a harvest as demand increased in both fresh garlic and dehydrated garlic. No improvement is to be expected in the short term.
OTHER
– The prices of mono and di-propylene glycols are always on an upturn during the winter period. However, in addition to this seasonal phenomenon, the trend is rather towards stability.
– Alcohol is also announced stable over the first part of the year.
– Sugar is rising sharply as world consumption continues to rise and, for the second consecutive season, production is lower than demand.
 

YOUR ARM SUPPLIER

Thanks to its position in the Aromatic Raw Materials supply chain, ELIXENS controls the production of many species drawn in compliance with the strictest specifications. Our historical skills in processing plant matter offer original, relevant and ethical solutions. Discuss it with us, now!

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