**Indonesian patchouli oil is graded chiefly by PA% (patchouli alcohol, or kadar PA), which typically runs 28-34% and is often quoted at 30-40%. Grade families are Dark, Light, Iron-free and MD (molecularly distilled), split further by origin — Sumatra, Aceh, Sulawesi. Higher PA, lower acid value and de-ironization command the premium bands.**
Indonesia supplies the overwhelming majority of the world’s patchouli oil (minyak nilam) — cited variously at over 80% and 80-90% of global output by industry sources through 2023-2025, on roughly 1,000-1,200 metric tons a year. That scale is why buyers benchmark grades against Indonesian material first. This guide maps how the grades are defined, what separates the origins, and where each lands on the 2026 price bands.
What does “kadar PA” mean, and why does it set the grade?
PA is patchouli alcohol (patchoulol) — the sesquiterpene that carries the deep woody-balsamic, earthy note perfumers buy patchouli for. On a certificate of analysis it appears as a percentage. Indonesian oil typically tests 28-34% PA and is often marketed across a 30-40% range. Higher PA generally means a rounder, more tenacious fixative in fine fragrance.
The second number that matters is acid value. Sumatra grades commonly quote acid value 4-6; Sulawesi grades quote 8-10; an acid value under 8 is cited as a marker of excellent storage stability. Read both together — a high-PA oil with a runaway acid value is not the bargain it looks like. Our [PA 32% grade page](/patchouli-oil-pa-32-percent-supplier/) breaks the number down further, and the blog on [patchoulol and fragrance longevity](/blog/patchoulol-fragrance-longevity/) covers why it matters in a formula.
What are the four Indonesian patchouli grade families?
Grade families describe the distillation and clean-up route, not just the source leaf. All start from steam-distilled Pogostemon cablin leaf; what happens next sets the family.
| Grade family | Process | Typical PA% | Color | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dark | Steam distillation | 28-34% | Reddish to dark red-brown | Classic strong-aroma perfumery, incense, ambers |
| Light | Steam distillation, lighter cut | ~30% | Light-yellowish-brown | Pale cosmetic and personal-care formulas |
| Iron-free | Steam distillation + de-ironization | 30-32% | Cleaner, low-metal | Color-sensitive cosmetics, soap, long shelf life |
| MD (molecularly distilled) | Steam distillation + molecular distillation | 30-34% | Palest, most consistent | Fine fragrance needing batch-to-batch uniformity |
Dark grade is the reference aroma most perfumers grew up on. [Iron-free patchouli](/iron-free-patchouli-oil-bulk-supplier/) removes iron picked up from stills, so it stays pale and stable — useful where color drift ruins a white cream. [Molecularly distilled patchouli](/molecular-distilled-patchouli-oil-supplier/) is the cleanest, palest and most repeatable, at a price. If you are weighing them, the guide on [steam-distilled versus molecularly distilled](/blog/steam-distilled-vs-molecularly-distilled-patchouli/) is the place to start.
How do Sumatra, Aceh and Sulawesi origins differ?
Origin changes the aroma signature and the typical spec sheet. Aceh (including the Gayo highlands), North Sumatra and West Sumatra oils are prized in fine fragrance for strong aroma and high patchoulol; Sumatra grades commonly quote PA 30-32 with acid value 4-6. Sulawesi — notably Manado — quotes PA around 30 with acid value 8-10. Java also produces. There is no single “best”; there is a best fit for your brief.
- [Aceh / Sumatra](/aceh-patchouli-oil-bulk-supplier/) — strongest, highest-PA reputation; the fine-fragrance default.
- [Sulawesi / Manado](/sulawesi-patchouli-oil-bulk-supplier/) — steady supply, softer acid-value profile; strong value in cosmetics.
- Origin difference in the bottle is real — our blog on [Aceh vs Sulawesi for perfumery](/blog/aceh-vs-sulawesi-patchouli-oil-perfumery/) does a side-by-side.
Which commercial grade families should you benchmark against?
Published catalogues give a useful reference frame. Typical Indonesian exporter grade families (2022-2025) pin PA minimums by origin and grade family:
| Origin / type | Min PA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sumatra MD | 32 | Molecularly distilled |
| Sumatra MD | 30 | Molecularly distilled |
| Sulawesi MD | 30 | Molecularly distilled |
| Sumatra MD | 34 | High-PA MD |
| Sumatra Dark Premium | 34 | Premium dark |
| Sumatra Dark | 32 | Standard dark |
| Sulawesi Dark | 30 | Acid value < 8 |
| Sulawesi Dark | 28 | Acid value < 15 |
| Sumatra Iron Free | 32 | De-ironized |
| Sulawesi Iron Free | 30 | De-ironized |
Use these as a shared vocabulary when you request a quote — asking for “MD, Sumatra, min 32 PA” is far clearer than “high grade.”
What do Indonesian patchouli oil grades cost in 2026?
Price tracks PA%, grade family and harvest more than anything else. The band below is FOB indicative per 2026 and moves with harvest and PA content; a final quote confirms grade, PA%, documents and MOQ.
| Grade / PA% band | FOB indicative 2026 (USD/kg) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PA under 30% | 35-55 | Entry commercial grade |
| PA 30-35% (commercial) | 45-90 | Most bulk perfumery/cosmetic trade |
| Premium PA above 35% / iron-free / MD / organic-certified | 100-200 | Fine-fragrance and certified lines |
A harvest-failure spike can push even 30-32% PA toward roughly USD 100-130/kg. On the domestic side, one North Sulawesi trader publicly listed IDR 2,000,000/kg FOB Manado, “Price June 2025,” noted as varying with quantity and market. Context matters here: late in 2025 the market was structurally firm, with historic-high prices, scarce material, and farmers switching to corn, cocoa and palm oil because patchouli returns were too thin to break even — a signal of continued supply risk and volatility into 2027. Treat every figure as indicative, not a contract. Live bands sit on the [pricing page](/bulk-patchouli-oil-supplier-indonesia/).
How do you read a COA and GC-MS before you commit?
The botanical is Pogostemon cablin (leaf), CAS 8014-09-3 (also 84238-39-1), FEMA No. 2838. Odor is woody-balsamic, sweet-herbaceous, earthy and spicy; the oil is soluble in alcohol and oils, insoluble in water.
Documents 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.
One honesty rule for buyers and writers alike: any specific spec — PA%, specific gravity, refractive index, optical rotation — is a claim only when it comes from an actual batch COA or GC-MS. Ask for the batch report, not a marketing sheet. Our [GC-MS tested exporter page](/gc-ms-tested-patchouli-oil-exporter/) and [COA documentation page](/patchouli-oil-with-coa-documentation/) explain what to check line by line, and the blog [how to read a patchouli oil COA](/blog/how-to-read-patchouli-oil-coa/) walks a real report.
What MOQ and drum logistics apply?
No single official MOQ exists publicly. Bulk trades in drums — trade postings cite roughly 25kg drums, while standard export drums run around 180-200kg. Typical MOQ is 100-1000 kg. Main export ports are Belawan, Surabaya and Makassar. For cosmetic and perfumery buyers, matching grade to volume early keeps landed cost predictable; see the [perfumery-grade](/perfumery-grade-indonesian-patchouli-oil/) and [cosmetic-grade](/cosmetic-grade-indonesian-patchouli-oil/) pages for line-specific MOQs.
How does ordering work?
- Send your brief — target PA%, grade family (Dark / Light / Iron-free / MD), origin preference, volume and required documents.
- Get a matched quote — indicative FOB against current harvest and PA, with the SKUs that fit.
- Review the batch COA / GC-MS — confirm PA%, acid value and any certifications against your spec.
- Approve a sample — evaluate aroma and color before committing volume.
- Confirm drums and port — MOQ, drum size and export port (Belawan, Surabaya or Makassar) locked into the contract.
Talk to the desk
Ready to match a grade to your formula? The Bali Premium Trip concierge desk handles quotes, samples and documentation directly.
- WhatsApp: 6281128590000
- Email: sales@balipremiumtrip.com
- Or send the enquiry form with your grade, PA%, target volume and destination.
We reply within 24 working hours with an indicative quote and the matching batch documents. Prices are indicative, not a contract; we do not guarantee customs clearance or quality outcomes, and every spec is confirmed against the batch COA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Indonesian patchouli grade is best for fine fragrance?
For fine fragrance, most perfumers reach for high-PA Sumatra or Aceh oil — often molecularly distilled (MD) at min 32-34 PA for batch consistency, or a premium Dark grade for the classic strong aroma. Sumatra’s low acid value (commonly 4-6) and high patchoulol are the reasons it dominates fragrance briefs.
Is Iron-free patchouli worth the premium over Dark grade?
It depends on your formula. Iron-free patchouli undergoes de-ironization after steam distillation, so it stays paler and more color-stable — worth the premium in white creams, clear soaps and light cosmetics where iron-driven discoloration is a real risk. For incense, ambers or dark bases, standard Dark grade usually delivers the aroma at lower cost.
What acid value should a good Indonesian patchouli oil show?
Acid value indicates storage stability. Sumatra grades commonly quote 4-6 and Sulawesi grades 8-10; an acid value under 8 is cited as a marker of excellent stability. Higher values are not automatically defective, but pair them against PA% and intended shelf life. Always confirm the figure on the actual batch COA rather than a catalogue.
Can a supplier prove the PA% grade before shipment?
Yes — a credible supplier provides a batch-specific COA stating PA%, plus a GC-MS report, before you commit volume. Treat any PA%, specific gravity or refractive index number as a claim until it appears on that batch’s documents. Request the report, approve a physical sample, then lock the grade into the contract.