Feb 1, 2026
IndexBox has just published a new report: United Kingdom – Essential Oils – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.
The UK essential oils market is forecast to grow significantly, with volume projected to reach 14K tons and value $671M by 2035. In 2024, consumption was 8.2K tons ($327M), while domestic production was 6.3K tons ($275M). The UK is a net importer, sourcing 6.4K tons ($257M) mainly from China, Brazil, and the US, and exporting 4.4K tons ($205M) primarily to Ireland, Germany, and the US. Both import and export prices have risen sharply, reflecting strong market value growth.
Key Findings
Market forecast to grow to 14K tons and $671M by 20352024 consumption fell to 8.2K tons but market value rose 11% to $327MDomestic production reached 6.3K tons valued at $275M in 2024Major import sources are China, Brazil, and the US by volumeTop export destinations are Ireland, Germany, and the US by valueMarket Forecast
Driven by increasing demand for essential oils in the UK, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +5.2% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 14K tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +6.8% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $671M (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
ConsumptionUnited Kingdom’s Consumption of Essential Oils
In 2024, essential oils consumption in the UK fell to 8.2K tons, with a decrease of -7.5% on 2023. Overall, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, consumption reached the maximum volume at 12K tons in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption remained at a lower figure.
The size of the essential oils market in the UK expanded remarkably to $327M in 2024, growing by 11% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, the total consumption indicated a buoyant expansion from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.0% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, consumption increased by +27.3% against 2018 indices. Essential oils consumption peaked in 2024 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.
ProductionUnited Kingdom’s Production of Essential Oils
In 2024, approx. 6.3K tons of essential oils were produced in the UK; surging by 1.9% compared with the previous year. Overall, production showed prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 25%. Essential oils production peaked at 6.4K tons in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, essential oils production rose rapidly to $275M in 2024 estimated in export price. In general, production posted a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 28% against the previous year. Essential oils production peaked in 2024 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.
ImportsUnited Kingdom’s Imports of Essential Oils
In 2024, approx. 6.4K tons of essential oils were imported into the UK; falling by -7.1% on the year before. Over the period under review, imports recorded a noticeable downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by 28%. Imports peaked at 12K tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2024, imports remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, essential oils imports skyrocketed to $257M in 2024. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Imports peaked at $290M in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, imports remained at a lower figure.
Imports By Country
China (1.4K tons), Brazil (1.1K tons) and the United States (704 tons) were the main suppliers of essential oils imports to the UK, together accounting for 51% of total imports. Italy, India, Mexico, Argentina, France, Peru, Indonesia, Spain, Germany and the Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 38%.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Indonesia (with a CAGR of +3.7%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, China ($38M), the United States ($30M) and Peru ($28M) appeared to be the largest essential oils suppliers to the UK, with a combined 37% share of total imports.
In terms of the main suppliers, Peru, with a CAGR of +19.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Import Prices By Country
The average essential oils import price stood at $40,415 per ton in 2024, picking up by 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated a buoyant increase from 2013 to 2024: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.6% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, essential oils import price increased by +91.7% against 2022 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2023 when the average import price increased by 51%. The import price peaked in 2024 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.
Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Peru ($118,052 per ton), while the price for Argentina ($13,359 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+23.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.
ExportsUnited Kingdom’s Exports of Essential Oils
After two years of decline, shipments abroad of essential oils increased by 7.3% to 4.4K tons in 2024. Overall, exports, however, showed a mild curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 10%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of 5.9K tons. From 2015 to 2024, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, essential oils exports rose notably to $205M in 2024. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by 26% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $218M in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, the exports failed to regain momentum.
Exports By Country
Ireland (1,000 tons), Germany (564 tons) and the United States (401 tons) were the main destinations of essential oils exports from the UK, together accounting for 45% of total exports. France, the Netherlands, China, Japan, Singapore, Spain, Italy and Canada lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 29%.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +6.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, Ireland ($62M) remains the key foreign market for essential oils exports from the UK, comprising 30% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($25M), with a 12% share of total exports. It was followed by the United States, with a 9.6% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Ireland stood at +3.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (+5.6% per year) and the United States (+3.8% per year).
Export Prices By Country
The average essential oils export price stood at $46,624 per ton in 2024, increasing by 7% against the previous year. Over the last eleven years, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.2%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2023 when the average export price increased by 31% against the previous year. The export price peaked in 2024 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.
There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2024, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Ireland ($61,650 per ton), while the average price for exports to Canada ($16,722 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Spain (+5.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.
Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform
This report provides a comprehensive view of the essential oils industry in the United Kingdom, tracking demand, supply, and trade flows across the national value chain. It explains how demand across key channels and end-use segments shapes consumption patterns, while also mapping the role of input availability, production efficiency, and regulatory standards on supply.
Beyond headline metrics, the study benchmarks prices, margins, and trade routes so you can see where value is created and how it moves between domestic suppliers and international partners. The analysis is designed to support strategic planning, market entry, portfolio prioritization, and risk management in the essential oils landscape in the United Kingdom.
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Key findings
Domestic demand is shaped by both household and industrial usage, with trade flows linking local supply to imports and exports.
Pricing dynamics reflect unit values, freight costs, exchange rates, and regulatory shifts that affect sourcing decisions.
Supply depends on input availability and production efficiency, creating a distinct national cost curve.
Market concentration varies by segment, creating different competitive landscapes and entry barriers.
The 2035 outlook highlights where capacity investment and demand growth are most aligned within the country.
Report scope
The report combines market sizing with trade intelligence and price analytics for the United Kingdom. It covers both historical performance and the forward outlook to 2035, allowing you to compare cycles, structural shifts, and policy impacts.
Market size and growth in value and volume terms
Consumption structure by end-use segments
Production capacity, output, and cost dynamics
Trade flows, exporters, importers, and balances
Price benchmarks, unit values, and margin signals
Competitive context and market entry conditions
Product coverageProdcom 20531020 – Essential oilsCountry coverageCountry profile and benchmarks
This report provides a consistent view of market size, trade balance, prices, and per-capita indicators for the United Kingdom. The profile highlights demand structure and trade position, enabling benchmarking against regional and global peers.
Methodology
The analysis is built on a multi-source framework that combines official statistics, trade records, company disclosures, and expert validation. Data are standardized, reconciled, and cross-checked to ensure consistency across time series.
International trade data (exports, imports, and mirror statistics)
National production and consumption statistics
Company-level information from financial filings and public releases
Price series and unit value benchmarks
Analyst review, outlier checks, and time-series validation
All data are normalized to a common product definition and mapped to a consistent set of codes. This ensures that comparisons across time are aligned and actionable.
Forecasts to 2035
The forecast horizon extends to 2035 and is based on a structured model that links essential oils demand and supply to macroeconomic indicators, trade patterns, and sector-specific drivers. The model captures both cyclical and structural factors and reflects known policy and technology shifts in the United Kingdom.
Historical baseline: 2012-2025
Forecast horizon: 2026-2035
Scenario-based sensitivity to income growth, substitution, and regulation
Capacity and investment outlook for major producing companies
Each projection is built from national historical patterns and the broader regional context, allowing the report to show where growth is concentrated and where risks are elevated.
Price analysis and trade dynamics
Prices are analyzed in detail, including export and import unit values, regional spreads, and changes in trade costs. The report highlights how seasonality, freight rates, exchange rates, and supply disruptions influence pricing and margins.
Price benchmarks by country and sub-region
Export and import unit value trends
Seasonality and calendar effects in trade flows
Price outlook to 2035 under baseline assumptions
Profiles of market participants
Key producers, exporters, and distributors are profiled with a focus on their operational scale, geographic footprint, product mix, and market positioning. This helps identify competitive pressure points, partnership opportunities, and routes to differentiation.
Business focus and production capabilities
Geographic reach and distribution networks
Cost structure and pricing strategy indicators
Compliance, certification, and sustainability context
How to use this report
Quantify domestic demand and identify the most attractive segments
Evaluate export opportunities and prioritize target destinations
Track price dynamics and protect margins
Benchmark performance against leading competitors
Build evidence-based forecasts for investment decisions
This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, wholesalers, investors, and advisors who need a clear, data-driven picture of essential oils dynamics in the United Kingdom.
FAQ
What is included in the essential oils market in the United Kingdom?
The market size aggregates consumption and trade data, presented in both value and volume terms.
How are the forecasts to 2035 built?
The projections combine historical trends with macroeconomic indicators, trade dynamics, and sector-specific drivers.
Does the report cover prices and margins?
Yes, it includes export and import unit values, regional spreads, and a pricing outlook to 2035.
Which benchmarks are included?
The report benchmarks market size, trade balance, prices, and per-capita indicators for the United Kingdom.
Can this report support market entry decisions?
Yes, it highlights demand hotspots, trade routes, pricing trends, and competitive context.