FAST FACTS
A successful essential oils business requires access to distillation facilities and a secure market.
The production of essential oils is climate-specific and labour-intensive.
Shareholding in Ayanda African Oils provides André de Waal, owner of Delft Agri, with a sizeable and steady market for his essential oils.
The stagnating profitability of the forestry and grain divisions of André de Waal’s farming business, Delft Agri, saw him seeking to invest in a high-value crop. Considering the climate of the area (he farms near Mkhondo in Mpumalanga), both macadamias and essential oils were viable options, but after crunching the numbers, the latter came out tops.
“I specifically looked at tea tree, lemon-scented tea tree, Eucalyptus and rosemary. Since they’re in production far more quickly than macadamias, they can generate an income sooner.
“The first block of tea tree was planted in 2018, and we haven’t looked back,” says De Waal.
The farm currently has 70ha under essential oil crops, and another 60ha is in the process of being planted.
A FLOURISHING MARKET FOR ORGANIC OILS
The market for essential oils is growing, especially for those produced organically. De Waal explains that with the global movement towards health and the use of natural products, the future for these oils looks bright. “Essential oils are widely used in many industries for aromatherapy, medicines, food and beverages, cosmetics, as well as cleaning and scenting the home.”
Denne historien er fra January 07 - 14, 2022-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra January 07 - 14, 2022-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
New farmers' seedling pitfalls
Inexperienced farmers may be tempted to grow seedlings from seed themselves, but they have much to gain by trusting a seedling grower at a nursery to perform this task for them instead
South African avocado production: a success story
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An agribusiness's dedication to community upliftment
For agribusiness NWK, located in Lichtenburg, North West, corporate social investment is an important part of creating a positive influence alongside financial returns. Johan Bezuidenhout, NWK’s group manager of corporate marketing and communication, spoke to Annelie Coleman about why the company chooses to invest millions of rands in the area it operates in every year.
Empowering dreams, transforming lives
Since its launch in 2013, the Agri's Got Talent competition has revolutionised the lives of many farmworkers by unlocking their hidden talents and fostering a culture of empowerment. Glenneis Kriel spoke to various finalists about how the contest has changed their lives.
Foreign investment: agriculture maintains its appeal
South Africa remains a popular destination for foreign investors, despite an often negative outlook from its citizens. It is a gateway to Africa, and with its counterseasonal production to the Northern Hemisphere and favourable weather, local agriculture is especially well placed to attract foreign interest, bringing with it hope for rural communities
The real value and message of COP29 for SA agriculture
While the 2024 Conference of the Parties may have disappointed those who hoped for real progress, it's more important for South African agriculture to highlight its role in carbon mitigation
Improving efficiencies in feed and grain milling
Bühler, a Swiss-based company that provides solutions and equipment for various industries, including food and animal feed processing, has pledged that by 2025, it will deliver scalable solutions that will reduce energy, waste and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers.
Tips for better olive production
At an SA Olive Association field day in November, industry experts shared ways to improve olive production efficiencies, from soil preparation to harvesting.
More effort needed to protect vulnerable cheetah
On International Cheetah Day, commemorated every year on 4 December, emphasis was placed on the vulnerability of the species.
