Ultra International B.V.
Product: Tea Tree Oil
Young tea tree plantations
Tea Tree Oil South Africa Melaleuca alternifolia
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Description
Obtained by steam distillation from foliage and terminal branchlets of Melaleuca alternifolia.
Tea tree grows naturally in South Africa but to date there are little in the way of commercial plantations. Much of the countries output is wild harvested and can be certified as organic. Some young plantations have started but output is relatively small on a global scale.
From seed to harvest usually takes around 12-15 months and trees will grow to around 2 metres high. The tree is then cut from just above the ground and the leaves are steam distilled in a process that takes around 1.5-2.0 hours per batch of around 250 kilos. Tea tree will regenerate quickly and over the next 2-3 years will yield higher levels of oil each year and establish a stronger root network ensuring it becomes more resilient to adverse weather conditions. Some more mature trees can yield higher levels of 1,8-cineole, which is undesirable so re-planting can occur every 6-7 years.
Read more about this amazing essential oil by clicking on our Elementary Essential Oil link in the sidebar
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Product Details
- Botanical name: Melaleuca alternifolia
- Origin: South Africa
- Crop Season: October - January
- Plant/part used: Foliage/ Terminal Branchlets
- Method of extraction: Steam-Distillation
- TSCA CAS: 68647-73-41 / 85085-48-92
- EINECS: 285-377-1
- INCI Name: Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) leaf Oil
- Appearance: Clear colorless to pale yellow mobile liquid
- Organoleptic Properties: Powerful, Fresh, Warm, Spicy-earthy odour
- Density: 0.885 – 0.906
- Refractive index: 1.475 – 1.482
- Optical rotation: +5° to +15°
- Chemical constituents: 1,8-cineole, Terpinen-4-ol, Y-terpinene, Limonene, α-terpinene, α-terpineol
- Uses:: Perfumery, Aromatherapy.
- Fragrance usage:: max. 1% in finished product
- Allergens:: Contains fragrance allergens
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Latest Market Information December 12, 2018
Good weather prevailed in South Africa’s main growing region on the east coast. Naturally, indications point towards a favourable harvest in the next six months. The production season commenced in September. There was zero carryover stock from the previous season. This implies that stocks will have to be built, and expected to enter the market around October.
Organic: Production has improved albeit at a slow pace, since project expansions have materialised. Some of the planned organic projects were confronted with severe pest issues. This has resulted in these projects turning to the conventional route. Prices are unwavering as a result of increased production keeping pace with a rise in demand.
Conventional: The production of conventional oil is pegged to go up from the 2017/18 season due to significant planted areas coming into production this year. It is anticipated that the demand for conventional tea tree oil is expected to remain strong. There is a compelling possibility of a marginal price hike as a result of an inflationary increase in the cost of production.
Market prices USD 45.00 /kilo -
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