Citronella oil is extracted from a grass (Cymbopogon winteranus) native to Sri Lanka, Java (Indonesia) and China. The species Cymbopogon winteranus is used for the production of citronella oil by steam distillation.
Citronella is commonly used in soaps, candles, perfumes and other products in the cosmetic industry. It is also a plant based, non-toxic insect repellant, registered for this use in the United States since 1948. You will find it listed in many topical products.
As a perfumery ingredient it has been historically well represented due to its citronellal, citronellol and geraniol content.
China is the world's largest exporter of citronella oil (Indonesia being second). It is estimated that total world production of citronella is around 4,000 tons with China and Indonesia representing a 40% share of this volume.
Historically China has had a lower cost basis for this product and as a result is the dominant producer.
Based on unconfirmed data China's citronella exports can be summarised as follows:
Year | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 |
Quantity (MT) | 2200 | 1200 | 980 | 750 | 730 |
Native to south Asia, citronella flourishes in tropical and subtropical climates with high humidity and abundant moisture. Citronella flourishes in sandy loam soil with vast amounts of organic matter. It struggles to thrive in heavy clay or sandy soil. The ideal pH range of soil for citronella growth should be between 5.8-6.
There is a scarcity of product in the market. Inventory is running low with suppliers struggling to meet demand. This has resulted in an increase in oil price.
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