About Us

EEO (Ezinqoleni Essential Oils (Pty) Ltd) was established in 2010 as an essential oils project which soon grew into a thriving company. Initially, as a social upliftment program, we partnered with nine commercial and ten emerging farmers.

By 2016, our expanding company had outgrown its location. We moved premises which enabled us to plant more land and build a nursery which included a state of the art multi-span greenhouse.

With our increasing network of affiliate outgrowers, we began a mentorship program in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture. We provide guidance, training and skills development to our independent essential oil farmers through our extension officers. This support includes assistance with essential oil seedling supply, field management and harvesting support, oil extraction and sales.

Over the years, our network of affiliate essential oils farmers has grown to include many more previously disadvantaged farmers. More than 550 farming families benefit from our business model, enabling approximately 5000 individuals to attain financial security.

In 2019, we built our new distillation plant to accommodate the increase in biomass.

OUR STRUCTURE

Our structure provides education and infrastructure to existing and potential essential oil farmers in South Africa.

Our nursery produces high-quality seedlings which are sold to independent essential oil farmers who grow them to maturity under the supervision of our extension officer mentorship program.

Mature biomass is then harvested and delivered to the factory where the oils are extracted through steam distillation. All our oils are lab tested, batched and packaged.

We trade high-quality essential oils on both the local and international markets.

SOCIAL & ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

OUR CORE VALUES

QUALITY

We produce high quality, unadulterated essential oils.

EQUALITY

We do not compromise on integrity and fairness.

PROFITABLITY

We aim to maximise profitability for the farmer.

TRANSPARENCY

We believe in openness in all aspects of our business.

SUSTAINABILITY

We use and teach regenerative farming practices.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

We champion personal and social upliftment.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint.

ORGANIC & CONVENTIONAL ESSENTIAL OILS

As a company who values sustainability, our nursery, fields and distillery are organically certified by the German BCS OKO accreditation agency. In addition to this, some of our affiliated farmers are in organic transition while currently growing and producing conventional essential oils.

SKILLS TRANSFER & SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES

We have realised the vision of a sustainable essential oils industry in South Africa. By adhering to our philosophy of good farming practices, transparency, mentorship and assistance to emerging farmers, we have experienced exponential growth over the last 12 years, representing a farming footprint that currently spans Southern Africa.

We 'measure, monitor and manage' all aspects of propagation, cultivation, and production to ensure high-quality oils using sound and sustainable farming practices which include:

Skills transfer through mentorship
Assistance to emerging farmers
Access to quality seedlings
Distillation, processing & packaging assistance
Independent oil analysis
Field-to-drum traceability
Access to international and local markets

CONSISTENT QUALITY & GROWTH

Our framework of good farming practices ensures that the supply of consistent quality oil is achieved by all affiliated farmers. Our team of six agronomists visit individual farmers to monitor their progress, offer advice and provide skills training.

The great geographical spread of our farmers minimizes the risk of adverse conditions effecting the total output of the group.

By collaborating with commercial farmers, the emerging farmers, who previously eked out a living as subsistence farmers, are able to sell their essential oils on the international stage and reap the benefits.

Transparency and equity between all our affiliated farmers has been the hallmark of this successful model.

Since there is no middleman, buyers have access to top quality South African oils at the most affordable rate.