The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic), in partnership with key local and international stakeholders, will host an Essential Oils Conference in Pretoria to promote domestic industrialisation and exports into the $15 billion global market.
The event is being hosted in collaboration with the Southern African Essential Oil Producers' Association (SAEOPA), the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO). It runs from July 23-24 under the theme: “Treasures of the Past Leading to the Trophy of the Future.”
Valued at more than $15bn, the global essential oils market continues to expand steadily as consumer demand shifts toward natural, sustainably sourced products across the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, food, fragrance and wellness industries.
South Africa exports approximately $73.5 million in essential oils annually; however, the country is well-positioned to expand its market share.
Dtic Deputy Director-General of Sectors, Tebogo Makube, said South Africa had a unique opportunity to transform its indigenous biodiversity into a globally competitive industry that delivered inclusive economic growth.
“South Africa's natural biodiversity is one of our greatest economic assets. By investing in quality infrastructure, innovation and internationally recognised standards, we are creating the conditions for local producers to compete successfully in premium global markets while advancing industrialisation and export-led growth.”
He said the government was committed to ensuring that more value was added locally before products entered international markets.
“Our ambition is not simply to export raw natural resources, but to develop globally competitive manufacturing industries that produce high-value essential oil products. This approach strengthens industrial capability, creates employment and enables South African businesses to capture greater value from global supply chains.”
He added that the conference would help unlock new opportunities for producers across the value chain.
“The essential oils sector has significant potential to create sustainable livelihoods, particularly for rural communities, women-owned enterprises, youth entrepreneurs and small businesses. By bringing together producers, buyers, researchers, development partners and policymakers, this conference will strengthen collaboration, improve export readiness and position South Africa as a trusted supplier of premium, sustainably produced essential and vegetable oils,” Makube said.
The conference forms an integral component of the UNIDO-SECO Global Quality and Standards Programme (GQSP). This 42-month partnership with the dtic is designed to strengthen South Africa’s quality infrastructure, improve compliance with stringent international standards and elevate the market competitiveness of locally produced essential and vegetable oils across international supply chains.
