**Patchouli Oil Supplier’s FAQ hub answers what bulk perfumery and cosmetics buyers actually ask: how price tracks PA%, iron-free versus molecularly distilled grades, GC-MS and COA paperwork, minimum order quantities, drum logistics, and origin. Every answer links to a deeper page and routes you to a real, date-stamped quote within one working day.**
Indonesia is the world’s patchouli oil (nilam) engine — industry sources cite its share between over 80% and 80-90% of global supply, with annual output around 1,000-1,200 metric tons against demand near the same level. The global patchouli oil market was valued at roughly USD 72.3 million in 2023. The botanical is Pogostemon cablin (leaf), CAS 8014-09-3, FEMA No. 2838.
How much does bulk patchouli oil cost in 2026?
Price follows PA% (patchouli alcohol / kadar PA) first. The band below is indicative FOB per 2026 and moves with every harvest; a final quote confirms grade, PA%, documents, and MOQ.
| Grade / kadar PA | Typical batch spec | FOB indicative 2026 (USD/kg) |
|---|---|---|
| PA under 30% | standard | 35-55 |
| PA 30-35% (commercial) | Sumatra PA 30-32 (acid 4-6); Sulawesi PA ~30 (acid 8-10) | 45-90 |
| Premium PA above 35% / iron-free / MD / organic | de-ironized or molecularly distilled | 100-200 |
| Harvest-failure spike, PA 30-32% | scarcity-driven | ~100-130 |
The one explicit dated public figure is a North Sulawesi trader listing IDR 2,000,000/kg domestic FOB Manado, marked “Price June 2025.” These are indicative, not a contract. Full breakdown on our [patchouli oil price page](/patchouli-oil-price/).
What PA% should perfumery and cosmetics buyers specify?
Indonesian oil typically runs 28-34% patchoulol and is often described at 30-40%. Fine-fragrance houses usually call for Sumatra or Aceh material for its strong, high-PA aroma; commercial cosmetics often sit comfortably at PA 30-32%. Remember: any spec is a claim only when it comes from an actual batch COA or GC-MS. Compare targets on our [PA grades page](/patchouli-alcohol-pa-grades/).
What separates iron-free from molecularly distilled (MD) grades?
Four grade families circulate: Dark, Light, Iron-free, and MD. Iron-free is steam distillation followed by de-ironization — valuable where trace iron would dull color or shorten shelf life. MD is steam distillation followed by molecular distillation for a cleaner, lighter profile. Typical Indonesian exporter grade families (2022-2025) lists SKUs such as Sumatra MD Min 32 PA and Sumatra Iron Free Min 32 PA. Detail on our [iron-free and MD page](/iron-free-molecular-distilled/).
Which documents come with each shipment?
Supplied on request:
- COA with PA% — the core spec sheet
- GC-MS — the component fingerprint
- TDS and SDS/MSDS — handling and safety data
- Certificate of Origin — customs and REACH support
Some lines also carry Kosher, Halal, COSMOS, and FSSC 22000. Published COAs have shown retest/best-before dates as far out as April 2027 — useful for long-term contracts. More on the [GC-MS and COA page](/gc-ms-coa-documentation/).
What’s the minimum order, and how is bulk oil drummed?
No single official MOQ exists publicly. Bulk minyak nilam trades in drums — trade postings cite ~25kg drums and standard export drums around 180-200kg — with typical MOQ between 100 and 1,000 kg. Acid value under 8 is cited as a marker of excellent storage stability for long transit. See [MOQ and drum logistics](/moq-bulk-drums/).
Where does the oil originate?
Key origins are Aceh (including the Gayo highlands), North Sumatra, West Sumatra, Sulawesi (notably Manado), and Java. Sumatra and Aceh oils are prized in fine fragrance; Sumatra grades quote PA 30-32 with acid value 4-6, while Sulawesi grades quote PA ~30 with acid value 8-10. Read the [origin guide](/origin-aceh-sumatra-sulawesi/).
How long is lead time, and which ports ship the oil?
Main export ports are Belawan, Surabaya, and Makassar. Lead time depends on grade availability and drum count — and late-2025 conditions were tight: a structurally firm market, historic-high prices, scarce material, and farmers switching to corn, cocoa, and palm oil because patchouli returns were too thin to break even. That points to continued volatility into 2027, so we confirm timing at quote. More on [export and lead time](/export-shipping-lead-time/).
Do you meet IFRA, REACH, and halal needs?
EU buyers commonly require CAS 8014-09-3 plus REACH-style documentation, which we cross-reference against batch paperwork. Halal, Kosher, COSMOS, and FSSC 22000 apply to specific certified lines, not every drum, so we confirm per grade. IFRA allergen and organic certificates attach to premium lines when available. We won’t guarantee customs clearance or a certificate a batch doesn’t actually hold. See [certifications](/certifications-ifra-reach-halal/).
How does ordering work?
- Brief us — grade, PA% target, documents needed, MOQ, and destination port.
- Match & quote — we pair origin and grade to your spec and issue an indicative FOB quote with current COA references.
- Review — confirm COA/GC-MS, request a sample if needed, and agree MOQ, drum count, and Incoterms.
- Lock — the final quote fixes grade, PA%, documents, and MOQ; export paperwork (COA, GC-MS, TDS, SDS, Certificate of Origin) is prepared.
- Ship — dispatch from Belawan, Surabaya, or Makassar.
Ready for a grade-matched quote?
Tell us your grade, PA% target, and destination port. Our desk at Bali Premium Trip replies within one working day (24 jam kerja) with an indicative, date-stamped quote — no obligation, harga indikatif bukan kontrak.
- WhatsApp: +62 811-2859-0000
- Email: sales@balipremiumtrip.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Is patchouli oil soluble in water or only in alcohol?
Patchouli oil (minyak nilam) is soluble in alcohol and in oils, and insoluble in water. That profile matters for perfumery bases and cosmetic formulation, where it works as a fixative. Its color ranges light-yellowish-brown to reddish or dark red-brown by grade, with a woody-balsamic, sweet-herbaceous, earthy, and spicy odor.
Which CAS and FEMA numbers identify Indonesian patchouli oil?
Patchouli oil carries CAS 8014-09-3 (also listed as 84238-39-1) and FEMA No. 2838, from Pogostemon cablin leaf. EU buyers commonly require the CAS number plus REACH-style documentation, which we cross-reference against each batch COA. Quoting these identifiers on your enquiry speeds grade matching and customs paperwork on our side.
How far ahead can a COA best-before date run for long contracts?
Published patchouli COAs have shown retest or best-before dates as far out as April 2027, which helps buyers planning long-term contracts and staged drawdowns. The stability marker to check is acid value: under 8 is cited as indicating excellent storage stability. We confirm the exact retest date on the specific batch COA before you commit.
Why are patchouli oil prices expected to stay volatile into 2027?
Late-2025 conditions were structurally firm: historic-high prices, scarce material, and farmers switching to corn, cocoa, and palm oil because patchouli returns were too thin to break even. Fewer planters signals tighter supply and sharper price swings into 2027. We date-stamp every quote so you price against current harvest reality, not a stale figure.
Patchouli Oil Supplier is part of Juara Holding Group — an Indonesian group operating from Bali across Indonesia since 2015.