April 2025
The April 2025 Market Report sees varied conditions across 5 key raw materials. Premium Canadian Beeswax faces reduced availability due to poor weather and high bee mortality, while Pumpkin Seed Organic Carrier Oil remains stable with a crop similar to last year. Bergamot Essential Oil continues to show strong supply and demand, with a slight increase in harvest expected. In contrast, both the Japanese and Supreme varieties of Peppermint Organic Essential Oil are experiencing notable declines in yield and quality due to synthetic market pressures and shifting agricultural focus. Clary Sage Essential Oil from France is under strain from adverse weather and high early demand, signaling likely shortages ahead.
Continue reading to stay informed on the latest industry trends from the experts at New Directions Aromatics.
Made from the nectar of flowers and extracted by industrious honeybees, our Canadian Premium Beeswax is harvested once a year between July and August and processed between September and October, although processing can also be done at anytime between September and April. Cultivated in Western Canada, this variety of beeswax requires a temperature of up to 32 degrees Celsius with no wind and 25 mm of rain per week at nighttime.
In 2024, the harvest yield was down 20% due to poor weather conditions and health concerns of the bees. This year, beekeepers are reporting higher losses than average, which will result in less honey and less beeswax overall. Poor weather conditions also threaten to lower beeswax production, but we won’t know the full extent until later in the spring and into summer.
Our Pumpkin Seed Organic Carrier Oil is cold pressed from organically grown Cucurbita pepo L seeds, which are harvested in China every October. Cucurbita pepo L seeds require fertile, sandy loam or loam soil, as well as plenty of sunlight for optimal growth. Regarding this year’s crop, the seeds have yet to be sown this season. However, the crop size should be similar to last year’s, and we are not expecting a shortage of Pumpkin Seed Organic Oil this quarter. The best time to ask for prices on bulk orders is between November and December.
Cold pressed from the peels of the Citrus bergamia fruit grown in Calabria, Italy, bergamots are harvested multiple times between November and February. The Citrus bergamia tree can grow in any soil type as long as the climate is mild and stable. Currently, there are no issues affecting the crop and it is expected to increase by 4-5 kg compared to last year’s crop. The demand and supply for Bergamot Essential Oil is stable, and the best time to request bulk prices is between September and October.
Peppermint Japanese Organic Oil is steam distilled from the Mentha arvensis herb grown in the northern part of India, with 80% of the total crop grown in the state of Uttar Pradesh. This variety of peppermint is harvested twice a year between May and July and then again between August and September. Well drained, highly fertile soil with a pH of 6.5-7 and a high humus content is suitable for growing Mentha arvensis, as well as tropical climates with lots of rainfall and sunshine.
The quality and size of the crop has declined by 20% over the past year due to the injection of synthetic fertilizers in most markets. Many farmers are opting out of growing this herb because of increased testing costs and decreased prices that have been affected by the presence of synthetic oils in the industry. Instead, farmers are choosing to grow foods that easily sell such as corn and wheat. The decline of Mentha arvensis is expected to continue unless the market shifts back to favoring natural sources, which will lead to more shortages and higher prices for Peppermint Japanese Organic Essential Oil over the next fiscal year. The best time to place requests for bulk orders is in Mid June during the first harvest when prices are at the lowest.
Organic Peppermint Supreme Essential Oil is steam distilled from the organically grown Mentha piperita herb. Primarily grown in the Uttar Pradesh state in northern India, this crop is also produced in Punjab and is harvested twice a year between May and July. Organic Mentha piperita requires deep, well drained soil that is fertile, moist, and rich in humus, as well as tropical weather with ample rainfall and sunshine.
Similar to Organic Japanese Peppermint, Organic Peppermint Supreme is experiencing a 15% decrease in yield compared to last year since many farmers are choosing to grow crops that draw out more nutrients from the soil before they sow the Mentha piperita herb. The presence of synthetic products on the market is also negatively affecting the market conditions for Organic Peppermint Supreme Oil and is expected to cause more shortages and higher prices in the coming fiscal year.
Clary Sage Essential Oil is steam distilled from the leaves and flowers of the Salvia sclarea L. plant grown in France. Harvested annually in early July, this crop thrives in stony, clay-limestone soils, Mediterranean climate conditions, and a minimum annual rainfall of 400mm.
Currently, Salvia sclarea L. is experiencing irregular rainfall patterns, pest infestation, and frost. The projected harvest yield is the same as last year, but we don’t yet know the size of the crop. Shortages for Clary Sage Essential Oil are expected, since 99% of our volumes are already claimed by our customers when the demand increased. It is recommended to ask for prices on bulk orders in September.