ELIXENS Harvest Report September 2014

8/9/2019 ELIXENS Harvest Report September 2014

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ELIXENS Harvest Report September 2014

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Aromatic Raw Materials

Harvest for the main species of lavender, lavandins, sage, and coriander having

been completed, ELIXENS France issues this crop report in order to assist you inyour purchasing and formulation strategies.

Lavender

It is still difficult to accurately assess the 2014crop. The general trend noted in the past fewyears seems to persist. The cooperatives'contributions of clonal lavender are down

sharply. The majority of sales is achievedthrough purchasing directly from farmers whichleads to a less structured market.

After a period of intensive planting, we note aslight consolidation phase of the younger plots.The clones that have been planted are moreresistant, especially in their first years, withseveral varieties showing robustness and

sturdiness. Their quality needs nevertheless to be monitored over time. (Matheronne lavender field - photo AH)

With regards to our organic production, despite a schedule upset by heavy rains in July, theorganic lavender harvest went well, with higher than expected yield in organic fine lavender,part of which is PDO Haute Provence lavender.

For organic clonal lavender, we confirm a continuation of volume production with part in Divavariety, announced in our July issue, for which the olfactory quality is reminiscent of lavender high titrate. (Diva lavender field - photo AH).

The withering effect reflects on essence yields, down 20 to 30%. The French organic productionhas also suffered. Some withering plots were not even harvested. Those who were harvested

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presented considerable plant material, but rather little essence.

A price pressure is seen particularly in organicand conventional clonal lavender. On the other hand, we expect a relatively stable price of finelavender thanks to substantial stocks and crops.

Lavandin

The harvest of lavandins promises to be quite stable in France. The situation is neverthelessheterogeneous across all production areas: the Alpes de Haute Provence show excellent

results producing near-record yields. However the northern areas of Provence, the Drôme andVaucluse regions, suffered from adverse weather conditions especially in July and a decrease inproduction compared to 2013. Carryover stocksare limited. We also note a sharp decline in theproduction of lavandin Super (photo AH) - thustension in the market. The evolution of land plotsin 2014 shows stable surfaces for Grosso, but anet decrease of all other species. The impact onproduction potential is difficult to assessbecause, in consideration of the renewal, the

average age also dropped due to the reduction inlife expectancy of the plants. The highest

productions are seen in year two and three, then a gradual decline in production over the yearsfour and five. Withering would have a significant impact in subsequent years, which explainsthat there is a reduction of "old" surfaces.

Our organic lavandin Grosso harvest is overall stable and even saw a record performance in thesouthern part of our production area. However, heavy rains and withering had an impact on theproduction of the Super and Abrial organic lavandin types which recorded a further decline.

Sage & Coriander

After very poor harvests for 2012 and 2013, the 2014 one has been quite correct. In the shortterm, however, we will only be able to count on our sage production from Odessa. Theproductions from Crimea are influenced by the geopolitical situation, affecting logistics and legalaffairs. We are actively working to resolve these difficulties.

The lack of carryover inventory and strong demand on this product of French or Chinese varietymaintain tension on the availability and prices.

Like sage, the coriander harvest is correct. Weather conditions were generally favorable for thewhole area. Structural market data is consistent with demand driven by seed producing spice,


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mainly to Indian and Middle Eastern markets. They are aggravated by speculative massiveacquisitions made by Russian traders. The price of seeds vary each day at levels between 1000and 1400 €/T.

Moreover, the political difficulties in this region create uncertainty that destabilizes thecontractual obligations engaged. Visibility is limited to flash purchasing of a quota of seeds weprocess promptly. The tension in the market is very strong. Few offers are made. We will informour customers of any changes in the situation and arrivals that we will be able to process.

Lemon

The lemon market situation is clearly tense: Spain and Argentina are very short in fruit supply;South Africa having served those markets is now also short. Italian lemon is more readilyavailable - with its usual olfactory difference.

ELIXENS France mobilized its resources toaddress this temporary shortage. Our aromaticraw materials development laboratory is able toprovide an alternative called Lemon Substitute.

This is a 100% natural, olfactory and analyticalreconstruction of the typical lemon aroma, whichbrings all the citrusy effect while limiting theeconomic weight of the fragrance ingredient.

Other plant species

ORGANIC LEMON BALM & CHAMOMILE

The harvest in June for organic lemon balm was correct. On the other hand, the second harvestcut is more uncertain due to bad weather forecast. We also note a small yield in organic Romanchamomile because of excessive rainfall at harvest time.

CONIFERS / EVERGREENS

The ELIXENS France distillery, in the Drôme region, is preparing the distillation process of various conifers which will give organic essential oil upon reservations before the end of

October:

- Organic cypress from Provence- Organic Douglas fir - Organic Atlas cedar - Organic juniper - various organic pines (Scots pine, Austrian black pine,...)

Organic hydrolates can also be reserved for those species; note that organic cedar hydrolatehas a powerful scent, very similar to that of the actual essential oil.


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(Cypress, Douglas fir & Scots pine -photos AH)

ELIXENS France development and customer services teams are at your service; you mayreach them directly at: [email protected]

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ELIXENS Harvest Report September 2014