Every litre of essential oil produced locally presents opportunities for farmers, processors, laboratories, packaging manufacturers, logistics companies, retailers and exporters. By industrialising locally and adding value before export, South Africa can strengthen domestic manufacturing, create sustainable jobs and capture greater value from international markets. This was said by the Chief Director of Chemicals, Cosmetics, Pharmaceuticals and Plastics at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), Ms Claudy Steyn, during the opening of the 4th South African Essential Oils and Vegetable Oils Conference at Rosemary Hill in Pretoria today.
Steyn was addressing delegates at the two-day conference, hosted by the dtic in partnership with the Southern African Essential Oil Producers’ Association (SAEOPA), the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), under the theme “Treasures of the Past Leading to the Trophy of the Future.”
She said South Africa’s biodiversity, indigenous knowledge and entrepreneurial producers provide a strong foundation for a globally competitive essential oils industry that supports the dtic‘s strategic objectives of industrialisation, export promotion and inclusive economic growth.
“Our essential oils sector occupies a unique position at the intersection of agriculture, manufacturing, innovation and export development. Unlocking its full potential requires sustained investment in quality, sustainability, market diversification and collaboration across the value chain,” she said.
Steyn further called for stronger collaboration between government and industry to improve access to finance, strengthen technical standards, expand testing and certification, support research and development, and improve access to domestic and international markets.
She also highlighted the dtic‘s export promotion initiatives, including support for 13 South African companies to exhibit at the In-Cosmetics Global 2026 exhibition in Paris earlier this year.
The Head of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), Mr Daniel Lauchenauer, said South Africa’s biodiversity economy has enormous potential to build competitive enterprises, create jobs and expand international trade.
“South Africa’s extraordinary biodiversity, indigenous knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit are valuable treasures. The challenge is to transform these strengths into high-quality products, competitive enterprises and lasting economic opportunities through continued investment in innovation, sustainability and quality,” said Lauchenauer.
He said quality infrastructure and internationally recognised standards are essential for accessing global markets.
“Quality is no longer simply a competitive advantage, it is a basic requirement for market access. Strong quality systems enable enterprises to build trust, enter new markets and compete successfully internationally,” he said.
Lauchenauer added that the strong participation by government, industry, researchers and development partners reflected a shared commitment to growing South Africa’s essential and vegetable oils sector through collaboration and knowledge sharing.
The conference continues tomorrow with discussions on innovation, plant genetics for commercialisation and strategies to strengthen sustainable supply chains.
The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition’s Chief Director of Chemicals, Cosmetics, Pharmaceuticals and Plastics, Ms Claudy Steyn, delivers the opening address during the 4th South African Essential Oils and Vegetable Oils Conference at Rosemary Hill in Pretoria.
The Head of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) South Africa, Mr Daniel Lauchenauer, addresses delegates during the 4th South African Essential Oils and Vegetable Oils Conference at Rosemary Hill in Pretoria.
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Issued by: The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)
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