The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition’s Chief Director of Chemicals, Cosmetics, Pharmaceuticals and Plastics, Claudy Steyn, delivers the opening address during the 4th South African Essential Oils and Vegetable Oils Conference at Rosemary Hill in Pretoria.
Image: Supplied.
South Africa's essential oils industry has been identified as a key opportunity to strengthen local manufacturing, create sustainable jobs and increase export earnings, with government and international partners calling for greater investment across the value chain.
Speaking at the opening of the fourth South African Essential Oils and Vegetable Oils Conference at Rosemary Hill in Pretoria, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition's Chief Director of Chemicals, Cosmetics, Pharmaceuticals and Plastics, Claudy Steyn, said every litre of essential oil produced locally represented an opportunity to expand industrialisation.
"Every litre of essential oil produced locally presents opportunities for farmers, processors, laboratories, packaging manufacturers, logistics companies, retailers and exporters," Steyn said.
"By industrialising locally and adding value before export, South Africa can strengthen domestic manufacturing, create sustainable jobs and capture greater value from international markets."
The two day conference, hosted by the dtic in partnership with the Southern African Essential Oil Producers' Association, the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, was held under the theme Treasures of the Past Leading to the Trophy of the Future.
Steyn said South Africa's rich biodiversity, indigenous knowledge systems and entrepreneurial producers positioned the country to become globally competitive in the essential oils industry while advancing industrialisation, export growth and inclusive economic development.
"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.
She added that stronger collaboration between government and industry would be critical to unlocking the sector's growth potential.
Steyn called for improved access to finance, stronger technical standards, expanded testing and certification capabilities, increased investment in research and development, and better access to domestic and international markets.
She also highlighted the dtic's export promotion initiatives, including support for 13 South African companies that exhibited at the In Cosmetics Global 2026 exhibition in Paris earlier this year.
Head of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs in South Africa, Daniel Lauchenauer, said South Africa's biodiversity economy offered significant opportunities to build globally competitive businesses while supporting employment and 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," Lauchenauer said.
He emphasised that maintaining internationally recognised quality standards had become essential for businesses seeking access to 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 broad participation by government, industry, researchers and development partners demonstrated a shared commitment to developing South Africa's essential and vegetable oils industry.
"The strong participation by government, industry, researchers and development partners reflects a shared commitment to growing South Africa's essential and vegetable oils sector through collaboration and knowledge sharing," he said.
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