CFC highlights the enormous potential of aromatic plants and essential oil production in Africa
Africa is a significant source of a wide range of native medicinal and aromatic plants serving the global food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, herbal and dietary supplement industries. The worldwide trades generated by these products have an estimated value of USD 1.8 billion in 2008.
The Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) financed the organization of an international workshop on “Potentials and Constraints for Aromatic Plants and Essential Oils Production and Marketing in Africa” which was held from the 3rd to 5th May 2012 in Rabat, Morocco, with the support of FAO, a consultancy team from BERCI International and the 'Haut Commissariat aux Eaux et Forêts et à la Lutte Contre la Désertification' of the Kingdom of Morocco.
CFC is already active in project aiming to develop marketing of eucalyptus citriodora essential oils in the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo: a detailed appraisal report is available by clicking on this link (Appraisal Report).
The May 2012 workshop brought together a wide range of experts in the use of aromatic plants and essential oils. Producer associations, national research institutions and the private sector from across 8 African countries (Morocco, Kenya, Somalia, Mali, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Mauritius and Algeria) attended the meeting. The detailed report of this Workshop is available by clicking on this link: “Potentials and Constraints for Aromatic Plants and Essential Oils Production and Marketing in Africa”.