Export of Herbal Plant Essential Oils: Challenges and Opportunities in Global Markets
High biodiversity and diverse climatic conditions have made Iran one of the world’s largest suppliers of plant essential oils. Many cities in Iran play a significant role in supplying and exporting these oils. These plant essential oils, with medicinal applications, have created a strong foundation for export to other countries, and Iran is recognized as one of the world’s exporters of medicinal plants. In this article, we examine the export opportunities for plant essential oils and herbal medicines, the challenges, and the solutions for exporting essential oils and medicinal plants.
Major Cities Supplying Essential Oils and Medicinal Plants in Iran
Certain Iranian cities have prominent roles in supplying and exporting plant essential oils, with medicinal plants in these areas boasting greater growth and quality. Below, we introduce some of the key supplier cities for essential oils and medicinal plants:
- Kashan: One of the main centers for the production of essential oils of the plant, especially rose essential oil.
- Kerman: An area with climatic conditions suitable for cultivation of medicinal plants.
- Shiraz: A large production center with high biodiversity for plant essential oils.
- Isfahan: An important industrial and agricultural center in the production and export of plant essential oils.
- Golestan: Features a suitable climate and rich vegetation cover for the growth of various medicinal plants.
Methods of extracting the plant essential oil
Due to its anti -inflammatory, antibacterial and calming properties, the essential oils have always attracted attentions and have been historically used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases. Today, these oils are also used as complementary remedies in modern medicine, in which scientific research confirms their medical and restoration properties. There are different ways to remove the essential oils of the plant, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Below, common essential oil extraction methods are reviewed:
| Advantages | Disadvantages | Environmental Impact | Extraction Method |
| The most common method, efficiently extracts oils from plants, usable for many plant types. | Requires specialized equipment, sensitive to heat | High energy and water consumption, production of plant waste | Steam distillation |
| Suitable for citrus essential oils | Usable for a limited variety of plants | Low energy consumption, minimal environmental impact | Cold pressing |
| Ideal for heat-sensitive oils | Some solvents are harmful to health and must be completely removed | Potential environmental pollution if not managed properly | Solvent extraction |
| Effective, leaves no solvent residue, produces high-purity essential oil | Expensive equipment | Low use of natural resources, no chemical waste | Supercritical CO2 extraction |
Mahta Vista Kish: An Active Player in Plant Essential Oil Export
Mahta Vista Kish company, with expertise and experience in the export of medicinal plant essential oils, plays an important role in distributing high quality products in global markets. By collaborating with reputed domestic producers, the company attempts to offer highest quality products and according to international standards for global customers. Mahta Vista ensures that all quality standards and export rules are met, guarantees that the products exported in international markets are completely healthy and high quality.
Advantages and Challenges of Exporting Plant Essential Oils and Herbal Medicines
Exporting plant essential oils and herbal medicines from Iran to international markets brings various advantages and challenges. As one of the leading exporters of plant essential oils, Mahta Vista Company possesses sufficient experience and expertise in the field. The following sections discuss the advantages and challenges of these exports:
Benefits of exporting essential oils and herbal medicines
1-Increased revenue: The export of essential oils in foreign markets can generate significant income for suppliers and exporters.
2-Job Creation: This industry creates job opportunities in areas that supply medicinal plants.
3-Global Market: The plant provides many growth and development opportunities for high demand exports in international markets for essential oils.
4-Economic stability: Export of plant essential oils such as high-value products can contribute to the economic stability of the country.
Challenges of Exporting Essential Oils and Herbal medicines
1-Quality Standards and Export Rules: Compliance with international standards, ensuring product quality, and aligning with each destination country’s export rules can create major challenges for exporters.
2-Environmental Issues: Plant Essential Oils may have negative environmental effects in extraction and production processes, which must be managed duly and expertly.
3-Transport Cost: International logistics costs can affect the profitability of exports.
Global Market Analysis
The global market for plant essential oils is steadily increasing. High demand for natural and organic products, cosmetics and increase in individual care industries, and increasing awareness about the medicinal benefits of plant essential oils are the major factors that are running market growth.
For example, doTERRA, one of the world’s largest producers and one of the exporters of essential oil, reported a sharp increase in product sales in 2022. This growth is primarily responsible for high demand in target markets such as Europe, North America and Asia. According to reports by Grand View Research and Mordor Intelligence, the global market for plant essential oils is expected to increase significantly by 2028.
Target Markets and Global Market Analysis
- Europe
European countries like Germany, France and Italy are one of the main target markets for essential oil exports due to high quality standards and special attention to natural and organic products. The cosmetics and individual care industry growth in these countries has also increased the demand for plant essential oils.
- North America
The United States and Canada are among the largest and most demanding markets for essential oils. Natural personal care and cosmetic products’ high consumption and interested in organic products provides many export opportunities in these markets.
- Asia and Middle East
China, Japan, South Korea and Persian Gulf countries are important markets for the export of essential oils due to cultural preferences for medicinal plants and natural products. Awareness of cosmetics and individual care industries is increasing the rapid growth of individual care and medicinal benefits of plant essential oils in these countries, promoting the demand for these products.
Quality standard and export rules
The compliance of quality standards and export rules is primary importance when exporting plant essential oils in international markets. Mahta Vista Company, by following international standards and relevant rules, ensures that products are exported with top quality and to target markets to suit global customer requirements.
Some of these standards and regulations are outlined below:
Quality Standards
- ISO Certificate
Certificates like ISO 9001 for quality management and ISO 14001 for environmental management should be obtained and maintained.
- HACCP Certificate
These certificates are mandatory to ensure the safety of food and plant products.
- Organic Certificates
For exports to markets demanding organic products, it is necessary to obtain relevant organic certificates.
Export Regulations
1-Export License: Exporters will have to obtain the required license from the concerned authorities to export the plant essential oils.
2-Health and Technical Documents: These include health and quality certificates that should be accompanied by exports.
3-Destination Country Regulations: Each country may have its specific law and regulations for essential oil imports, and exporters must comply accordingly.
Stay Tuned with Mahta Vista
With strict adherence to its network and international standards of reputed suppliers, Mahta Vista plays an important role in exporting high quality plants essential oils in global markets. Given the increasing demand for natural and organic products, the company can play an impressive role in the-top markets by deploying strategies.