Aroma Trading Limited

Market Report April 2001

Citronella Oil
Although the Chinese crop is still some months off, poor demand has kept price increases to a minimum.

Sandalwood
Export Licences have been suspended and usual shippers can only ship a blend incorporating a vegetable oil, as their alloted quantities have been sold. We have managed to secure 220 kilos of Agmarked material which has been analysed and approved on GCMS. Please contact us for prices.

Neroli Oil
The Spanish have started distillation four weeks early due to adverse rainfall some weeks back, and Tunisia starts this month. No indications as yet with regard to yields and quality. More details next month.

Frankincense / Olibanum
After our most recent trip to Somalia, we have posted some pictures on the essential oil page. Look out for more detailed information on www.frankincense.org in the near future.

Animal Testing
Members of the European Parliament are voting this week on new legislation banning all new cosmetics that have been tested on animals anywhere in the world. Some cosmetic companies are lobbying hard against this new legislation. They say that cosmetic testing is less than half of one percent of animal testing in Europe but bear in mind that cosmetic companies kill almost 40,000 mice, rabbits, rats and guinea pigs every year after tests, such as putting the test substance onto shaven skin or neat into an animal's eyes, have been completed. If the vote goes favourably, it then has to be approved by the European Commission, and then each state within the community. After that it could take another five years to implement the new law.

Web Watch
This month we highlight the plight of the Tibetan People and their culture at www.savetibet.org.