India

A major factor affecting the markets this month is the rate of exchange, with the US dollar reaching a high of US$1 to 62 rupees  .Earlier in the month this resulted in low export prices but in the later part of the month the national bank of India has taken measures to redress the trend. If these measures are effectual, commodity prices will be supported by the currency. At the time of writing the rupee /dollar exchange is back down between 59 and 60.

Weather disruption

In Indonesia, the dry season is late and not as dry as it should be, thus limiting the production of clove leaf oil. In Eastern Europe and Russia, the summer has been much drier than normal, which has devastated several crops such as clarysage and coriander.

Europe and USA

With the holiday season in full swing, the demand for most products has dropped as employees enjoy some time off and factories are closed for annual cleaning and maintenance.

Aniseed oil China star/anethole

Prices for aniseed oil and anethole in China are currently weak. A notable causal factor behind this is the significant increase in demand in the domestic market for cheaper, synthetic alternatives.

Citronella oil Java type

Due to the crop in both China and Indonesia continuing to be good, the price of citronella Javatype has remained stable. This oil has been traded within a small price range over the last 18 months and we see no reason for any drastic digression from this trend in the near future.

Clove leaf oil/eugenol

The Indonesian market for clove leaf/ eugenol is unsettled. The dry season, which should have begun in June has been unusually wet,making the collection of clove leaf more difficult. This, coupled with the observance of Ramadan during July and the beginning of August, has resulted in lower production of the leaf oil.

Coriander seed oil

Indications at origin are that the harvest of seeds during July has been poor. The price of seeds has increased by a third from last season and we are expecting to see further movement upward. This is due to the total acreage in Russia having been reduced this year,alongside partial crop failures in Eastern Europe due to drought conditions. With much of the quantity of seeds harvested going to the spice market, little remain for processing.

Eucalyptus oil globulus

In an otherwise very flat market, we saw a slight firming of the price in China towards the end of August due to a modest increase in demand. Now is the traditional time for pharmaceutical companies to purchase this oil for the preparation of winter cough remedies, so we may see a bit more activity in the eucalyptus oil market during September.

Geranium oil

Firmer quotes are being received from China based on increased demand, possibly due to the uncertainty of supply of geranium oil from Egypt. The level of geraniol is lower than usual.

Ginger oil Chinese

Until now the supply and demand had been in balance, however we now hear that other producing countries have had poor crops forcing consumers to turn their attention towards Chinese ginger. The weak market price last season had discouraged farmers to plant much ginger resulting in a rising market price at themoment due to this addiional newdemand. As the stocks in China diminish the price will rise accordingly.

Grapefruit oil

Prices remain firm and the market appears short of the higher nootkatone content oil.

Lemon oil

As a result of frost damage earlier in the season in Argentina, the lemon market has been short of fruit and very little oil has been produced. The current short situation is unlikely to improve until the new crop in 2014.

Lemongrass oil India

Slightly firmer prices coming from origin due to the slow arrival of oil from the producing regions, coupled with adverse weather conditions which have affected both the volume of oil as well as its citral content. This is offset by the weak rupee.

Lime oil

Prices increased ahead of the new crop as stocks were very low. Pessimistic crop news from Mexico has pushed the market up again and prices have risen significantly over the last month. Demand is currently outstripping availability and this continues to force prices higher.