Background to the Essential Oil Industry of South Africa

 

The essential oil industry in South Africa had a beginning in the 1700’s when the French explored the plants of the Cape Province and some plants were hydro and steam distilled for the oils. The first mentioned was Wild Rosemary (Eriocephalus sp.). Over the following years the French explorations took Geranium (Pelargonium) species from the Cape and especially the rose scented types. These were taken to France and Morocco in the 1800’s and developed as a substitute for the very scarce and high priced Damask rose essential oil.

 

Several other indigenous crops have been explored over the years of which Buchu and Geranium were the most popular. The Buchu essential oil industry was developed in the 1940’s and is still very important. During the same time many trials were made to hybridise Rose geranium in order to get a specific high quality oil and high yield. This research was done mainly by collaboration from France with the lead researcher Prof de Marne working from Reunion Island, with the University of Stellenbosch Prof van der Walt. They managed to breed the right type which was named “Bourbon” type and grown on Reunion island. This type was propagated successfully by cuttings and then it spread worldwide.

A very prominent researcher from Fort Hare University, Prof Earl Graven carried out research on a variety of essential oil crops since the 1950’s.

 

The department of Agriculture conducted several research projects on essential oil crops in the 1970,s and the CSIR was on the scene since late 1990,s.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Founder members of SAEOPA from left to right: Kleinste van Rensburg, Hennie du Plessis (Chairman) & Karen Swanepoel

 

The SAEOPA was established in the year 2000 in Nelspruit as a body of Essential oil producers helping each other in building an Industry. Initially three main hubs developed, i.e. Mpumalanga, Western Cape and KZN. The difficulty of managing the Association with limited funds has proven a severe setback over the years and some of the provinces decided to form provincial bodies. Lack of cohesion resulted that this initiative never did work well. The idea to establish clusters or hubs was created and this happened at municipal and district level. The Eastern Cape hub was the most successful because it is supported financially by the Eastern Cape Development Corporation. The Eastern Cape producers are also members of SAEOPA.

 

Quite a few studies were done by various bodies and government to establish the status quo of the Essential oil Industry and to plan various development initiatives, value adding and agri-tourism. SAEOPA was prominent and part of all the studies so far and has requested funding from Government to support the Company financially, but so far only promises were made with no positive action. In the meantime SAEOPA has been held functional and operational by a few people, through very difficult periods of time only through the sincere belief that the body is making a difference in many people’s lives.

 

One of the main efforts of SAEOPA members was to provide collective information on production of essential oil crops in South Africa. The task was given to KARWIL Consultancy, which acts as technical and crop advisor body for SAEOPA. They have developed 10 Production Guidelines for different essential oil crops for the National Department of Agriculture. These guidelines are assisting all of the essential oil farmers of Southern Africa. However, the guides need to be upgraded and expanded so that the information sharing effort can continue and work towards new publications are far in progress.

 

SAEOPA has also over the years built up a very reputable database of information, covering all aspects on essential oil crops, distillation, expression, extraction, quality control, GC analysis and scientific methods, testing oils for quality, marketing avenues, research and a host of other information that is needed by the producers, buyers and sellers of oil. This information is available for members of SAEOPA.

 

Members of SAEOPA are also active in scientific research. SAEOPA has a very good standing with the academics of local Universities as well as prominent overseas academics working in the fields of essential oils, and natural products. SAEOPA was also instrumental in that it provided much of the basic standards and knowledge about essential oils that is used by government and development agencies. The executive embers have contributed to many reports that have been done on the essential oil industry and value adding as well as research on Industrial crops. Interaction with the main roleplayers and producers have provided much needed information.

 

SAEOPA acts in a guiding capacity for its members as the official spokesperson to government and global role-players. It has links to the most important role-players in the essential oil industry and supports research at universities and government institutions. Other links are in the chemical , industrial , food and flavour, cosmetic and agriculture sectors where the focus is on research and marketing as well as trends to where the industry need to be developed.

 

At present, SAEOPA is aware taht many main producers have left the industry because of various agricultural and market issues. There is currently a renewed demand for essential and cold pressed oils and South Africa cannot produce enough to even fill our own demands. The future of essential oil production from a producer’s viewpoint was never better than now. It is imperative for SAEOPA to launch a new planned effort to get as many producers active in as soon as possible. The fact that there is still much development grants available, creates the opportunities for new entrants and the rural development priority from government will support the actions.

 

SAEOPA has a lot to offer in many years of collective data and experience and the members are committed to make a success, and the Industry can be built to something to be proud of where many people will benefit downstream.

 

Working together for a better future is one of the main aims of SAEOPA.

​