**Nilam — minyak nilam — is Indonesian patchouli oil, distilled from Pogostemon cablin leaf. As a nilam patchouli oil supplier working across Aceh, North Sumatra and Sulawesi, we source bulk lots by kadar PA (patchouli alcohol), ship in export drums, and back every batch with COA and GC-MS. Quotes confirm grade, PA%, documents and MOQ.**
If you searched the Indonesian term nilam or minyak nilam, you are already at the origin. Indonesia is the world’s largest patchouli oil producer — industry sources through 2023-2025 put its share variously above 80% and at 80-90% of global supply, on annual output of roughly 1,000-1,200 metric tons. The material perfumers and cosmetic houses buy under the English name “patchouli oil” is the same oil Indonesian farmers and distillers call nilam.
What exactly is nilam, and how does it differ from “patchouli oil”?
Nothing differs but the language. Nilam (minyak nilam) is patchouli oil, steam-distilled from the leaf of Pogostemon cablin. Its trade identifiers are CAS 8014-09-3 (also 84238-39-1) and FEMA No. 2838. Color runs from light-yellowish-brown to a deep reddish or dark red-brown as the grade darkens; the odor is woody-balsamic, sweet-herbaceous, earthy and spicy — the fixative backbone of countless fine fragrances.
Origin matters to a perfumer. Key producing regions are Aceh (including the Gayo highlands), North Sumatra, West Sumatra, Sulawesi (notably Manado) and Java. Sumatra and Aceh oils are prized in fine fragrance for strong aroma and high patchoulol content. The oil is soluble in alcohol and oils and insoluble in water.
Which grades of nilam do buyers order?
Perfumers grade nilam by kadar PA — the patchouli alcohol percentage. Indonesian oil typically runs 28-34% PA and is often described in the 30-40% range. Grade families sort into Dark, Light, Iron-free (steam distillation followed by de-ironization) and MD (molecularly distilled: steam distillation followed by molecular distillation).
| Grade family (nilam) | Typical kadar PA | What it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Dark | 28-34% PA | Classic fixative, deep color, workhorse fragrance base |
| Light | ~30% PA | Cleaner top, cosmetics and lighter accords |
| Iron-free | Min 30-32% PA | Formulas sensitive to metal traces / color stability |
| MD (molecularly distilled) | Min 30-34% PA | Pale, refined lots for fine fragrance and premium cosmetics |
For reference, published grade families (Indonesian exporters’, 2022-2025) include Sumatra MD Min 32 PA, Sumatra MD Min 30 PA, Sulawesi MD Min 30 PA, Sumatra MD Min 34 PA, Sumatra Dark Premium Min 34 PA, Sumatra Dark Min 32 PA, Sulawesi Dark Min 30 PA (acid < 8), and Sumatra Iron Free Min 32 PA. Sumatra grades commonly quote PA 30-32 with acid value 4-6; Sulawesi grades quote PA around 30 with acid value 8-10. An acid value under 8 is cited as a marker of excellent storage stability. Tell us your target grade and we match to available lots — any PA%, specific gravity, refractive index or optical rotation we state for your batch comes from that batch's COA or GC-MS, never from a generic sheet.
How much does nilam patchouli oil cost per kg?
Price tracks kadar PA and moves with each harvest. The band below is FOB indicative per 2026, and shifts with harvest and PA content — a final quote confirms grade, PA%, documents and MOQ.
| Grade / kadar PA | Indicative FOB (USD/kg, per 2026) |
|---|---|
| PA under 30% | 35-55 |
| PA 30-35% (commercial) | 45-90 |
| Premium PA above 35% / iron-free / molecularly-redistilled / organic-certified | 100-200 |
A harvest-failure spike can push even 30-32% PA lots toward roughly USD 100-130/kg. For a domestic reference point, a North Sulawesi (Manado) trader publicly listed IDR 2,000,000/kg FOB Manado in June 2025, noting the figure varies with quantity and market. Late 2025 read the market as structurally firm — historic-high prices, scarce material, and farmers switching to corn, cocoa and palm oil because patchouli prices had fallen below break-even — which signals continued supply risk and volatility into 2027. Treat every number here as indicative, not a contract.
How does ordering nilam work?
A quote-first flow keeps grade and documents locked before any drum moves.
- Send your spec. Message us the target kadar PA, grade family (Dark, Light, Iron-free, MD), volume and destination port via WhatsApp or the quote form below.
- Get a dated quote. We confirm available lots, an FOB band for your grade, drum count and lead time — with the documents each lot carries.
- Review the COA. You see the batch COA (with PA%) and GC-MS before committing, so the kadar PA on paper matches what you contract.
- Confirm and pack. On agreement we reserve the lot in export drums (standard drums run ~180-200kg; smaller ~25kg drums appear in trade postings). Typical MOQ lands between 100 and 1,000 kg.
- Export. Shipment routes through the main patchouli ports — Belawan, Surabaya or Makassar — with your documentation set.
What documents come with each batch?
Routinely supplied on request: COA (with PA%), GC-MS, TDS, SDS/MSDS and Certificate of Origin. Some lines also carry Kosher, Halal, COSMOS and FSSC 22000 certification. Published COAs have shown retest / best-before dates as far out as April 2027, which helps long-term contracts. EU buyers commonly require CAS 8014-09-3 and REACH-style documentation; we provide what a lot carries and flag honestly what it does not.
Request a nilam quote
Every enquiry is handled directly by the Bali Premium Trip concierge desk — the operating team behind Patchouli Oil Supplier — with a reply target of 24 working hours.
- WhatsApp: (https://wa.me/6281128590000) — fastest for grade and PA% discussion
- Email: sales@balipremiumtrip.com
- Quote form: send grade, kadar PA, volume, destination port and intended use
We are a sourcing and concierge desk, not the asset owner or a licensed adviser; lots are arranged via vetted licensed partners. We cannot guarantee customs clearance or quality outcomes in your country, and prices are indicative rather than a binding contract. Patchouli Oil Supplier is part of Juara Holding Group — an Indonesian group operating from Bali across Indonesia since 2015.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is nilam the same as patchouli oil?
Yes. Nilam (minyak nilam) is simply the Indonesian name for patchouli oil, steam-distilled from Pogostemon cablin leaf — CAS 8014-09-3, FEMA 2838. Buyers searching “nilam” and “patchouli oil” want the same material. The lot you receive still depends on kadar PA, origin and distillation method, not on which of the two terms you searched.
What kadar PA should I specify when ordering nilam?
Kadar PA — the patchouli alcohol percentage — is what perfumers grade by. Indonesian nilam typically runs 28-34%, often quoted at 30-40%. Fine-fragrance buyers usually ask for 30%+, or iron-free and MD lots above 34%. Confirm the target PA on your COA before contracting, since price and aroma strength both track it closely.
Can you ship nilam patchouli oil to the EU with REACH documents?
In principle, yes. EU importers commonly require CAS 8014-09-3 and REACH-style documentation, plus COA, GC-MS and SDS, which we supply per batch on request. We do not guarantee customs clearance in your country, though — final admissibility depends on your importer of record and local rules, which we cannot promise on your behalf.
What is the minimum order for bulk nilam?
No single official MOQ exists publicly for nilam. Bulk trades in drums — trade postings cite ~25kg drums and standard export drums around 180-200kg — so typical minimums land between 100 and 1,000 kg. Tell us your target grade and volume, and we confirm the workable MOQ, drum count and export port (Belawan, Surabaya or Makassar).