MARKET REPORT AUGUST 2022

Peppermint Japanese Essential Oil (India)

Peppermint Japanese Oil is steam distilled from the Mentha arvensis, a perennial herb grown in India. Known for its abundance of Menthol, this herb can grow up to 3 feet in height and grows best in wet soil with compost fertilizer and periodical watering. The harvesting months for Peppermint Japanese Oil occur from May to July, and the ideal weather conditions include plenty of sunlight and rain.

The growing conditions for this year's harvest are favorable and the projected harvest yield is similar to that of last year's which experienced a slight increase from the year before. However, the market demand for this oil is slightly lower than the previous year.

Peppermint Supreme Essential Oil (India)

Peppermint Supreme Essential Oil is steam distilled from the Mentha piperita herb grown in India. This crop has a harvesting season between the months of June and July and thrives best in wet soil with compost fertilizer and a consistent watering schedule. Like its Japanese counterpart, Peppermint Supreme requires a combination of sunshine and rain for optimal growth.

There were some issues with the yielding and growing of Mentha piperita and thus, the projected harvest yield is between 60 and 65% lower than last year's. However, this year's market demand is experiencing a significant increase.

Lemongrass Essential Oil is steam distilled from the leaves of the Cymbopogon flexuosus cultivated in India. As a perennial herb, it is harvested every 3 months and the first cutting takes place after 4 months. Cymbopogon flexuosus can grow on an array of different soils, from loam to poor laterite. However, calcareous and waterlogged soils are unsuitable for cultivation and are therefore not recommended for Lemongrass. Tropical and subtropical climates are suitable for growing the crop, although warm and humid climates are preferred.

This year's projected harvest is expected to be the same as that of the previous year, although the crop area is expected to increase by 15%. For pure Lemongrass Essential Oil, the market demand has remained high and market conditions are expected to be stable. However, once rainfall levels increase in growing regions, the market is expected to shift.

The aroma of Clove Bud Oil closely resembles that of the actual spice that is derived from the buds of the Syzygium aromaticum L tree. When this evergreen tree is planted in fertile land at 300-600 m above sea level, it needs between 5 and 7 years to mature from seedling. Once it has matured, the tree will produce buds every 6 months. While the flowers typically bloom during the rainy season, the clove buds will ripen and prepare for harvesting in the dry season.

This year, the projected harvest yield for clove buds is lower than average due to prolonged rainy season of the La- Niña Effect. Following this rainy season, the output and price of Clove Bud Oil have stabilized at a relatively high level. However, it should be noted that prolonged rainy seasons lead to lower yield as well as lower Eugenol and Eugenyl Acetate levels, resulting in a raise in production costs for farmers.

Frankincense is extracted from the resin of Boswellia serrata tree, a wild species grown in the forests of Central and Western India. It is a slow growing tree that takes approximately 10 years to exude gum. Once the gum residue is exposed, it is collected between November and March. The Boswellia serrata tree grows best in soils such as red lateritic and dry sandy stone ridges. Central India's hot and dry climate is the ideal weather for the Boswellia serrata tree to thrive. This wild crop requires a minimum temperature of 7 degrees Celsius and a maximum temperature of 40 degrees Celsius, as well as up to 125 cm of rainfall. The projected harvest yield has had no significant changes and is expected to be around the same amount as 2021, which was substantially lower than previous years.

Compared to previous years, the market conditions and demand for Frankincense Essential Oil are experiencing a slight decline. This differentiates from last year, where demand was increasing as supply was decreasing.

Our Sunflower Carrier Oil is cold pressed from the Helianthus annuus seeds grown in Spain. The months of harvest depend on the geographical location of the sunflower. When the crop is grown in the south of Spain, harvesting takes place in late July to early August. Meanwhile, the harvesting season for Helianthus annuus grown in the north of Spain begins in September. This crop has a higher tolerance for drought because its tap root can extract water from deep profiles. In the north, irrigation is required to help sunflowers grow, while in the south they do not need additional irrigation due to the climate influenced by oceanic winds. Moderate temperatures are required for the early months of growth, typically between 20 and 29 degrees Celsius. As the growth cycle closes and reaches harvesting, Sunflowers require hot and dry climates.

The current growing conditions are favorable. Although rainfall was limited, there was some rainfall during the springtime. However, farming costs for the Sunflower is a concern, as it is for all crops of the current agriculture sector. The projected harvest yield is expected to see an increase in cultivation areas. Due to the Ukrainian War, the European Union removed the restrictions placed on fallow land, allowing farmers to grow more hectares of Sunflowers. The demand is quite high, especially since the war has shaken the market and affected the supply of both cereals and oil seeds. The market conditions for Sunflower Oil experienced a remarkable rise in the beginning of the year. Currently, it is still high but more stable. Prices are expected to fluctuate with the ongoing Ukrainian War, and imports through the European Market are limited.

Extracted from the Macadamia ternifolia nuts grown in India, Macadamia Nut Organic Oil is a rich emollient that is more viscous than most Carrier Oils. The nuts are harvested between the months of May and August. The Macadamia ternifolia grows best in dry lands with limited rainfall. The current growing conditions are favorable, and the projected harvest yield is similar to that of last year. There is an increase in the market demand in comparison to last year. Luckily, Macadamia Carrier Oil is readily available. The quality of NDA's Macadamia Oil has been tested and approved.

Cucumis melo, or Muskmelon seeds, are cultivated in India and are cold pressed to create Muskmelon Seed Carrier Oil. The crop thrives best in warm climates and cannot tolerate frost. Optimum temperature for seed germination ranges between 27 and 30 degrees Celsius. The seed crop field should be isolated all around between 500 m and 1000 m and should be free of volunteer plants of the same crop or other crossable species. Deep, fertile, and well-drained soil is recommended for planting and growing Muskmelon seeds, as well as an alkaline pH of between 6 and 7. Muskmelons are ready for harvesting when the fruits turn yellow. The average oil yield from the seeds range between 15% and 25% using the cold pressing method.

Due to its unique Essential Fatty Acid profile and ability to promote cell turnover, Muskmelon Seed Oil has gained widespread recognition in the skincare industry in recent years. The demand for Muskmelon Seed Carrier Oil has significantly increased in North America, Europe, Japan, China, Thailand, South Korea, and Malaysia. Currently, the market conditions for this rich Carrier Oil are stable, and its value is recognized globally.