The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) – in partnership with the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco), the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (Unido) and the Southern African Essential Oils Producers Association (Saeopa) – will host the third South African Conference on Essential and Vegetable Oils at the South African National Botanical Gardens, in Pretoria, on July 25 and 26.

Under the theme ‘Local to Global: East West, Home is Best,’ the conference will bring together 200 oil producers and stakeholders from across South Africa and Southern Africa.

The event aims to share innovative trends in the global marketplace including various applications for essential and vegetable oils and to address critical issues faced by this industry.

Attendees are expected to gain valuable insights from proven experts on the most pressing challenges, equipping them with the knowledge needed to thrive in the dynamic essential and vegetable oils sector.

dtic acting deputy director-general of sectors Thandi Phele says the upcoming conference will be a significant step in strengthening the quality of essential and vegetable oils exports from South Africa.

Through this conference, the technical competence and the sustainability of the National Quality Infrastructure system and the conformity assessment services that serve the selected value chains in this industry, will be highlighted.

Moreover, Southern African Development Community compliance with international standards, technical regulations and culture for quality will be addressed.

“This conference will serve as a pivotal platform for knowledge sharing and networking among key industry players. Our collaboration with Seco, Unido and Saeopa underscores our commitment to fostering growth and innovation within the essential and vegetable oils industry," says Phele.

The conference will feature a series of presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions focussing on innovative trends shaping the global essential and vegetable oils market; addressing critical challenges faced by producers and stakeholders; and strategies for expanding market reach from local to global.

Head of Seco in South Africa Daniel Lauchenauer says the upcoming conference presents an unparalleled opportunity for stakeholders to engage with industry leaders, share best practices, and forge partnerships that will drive the industry forward.

According to Saeopa, the global essential oils market size was valued at $11-billion in 2023, and is projected to grow to $12.47-billion this year and $27.82-billion by 2032.

South African exports of essential oils, perfumes, cosmetics and toiletries were $679-million during 2023, according to the UN Commodity Trade Statistics database on international trade.