Did you know that the highest production of lavender essential oil in the world is not in France, but in Bulgaria? Lavender has a cultivation tradition here for over 100 years and achieves excellent quality. The quality of this Bulgarian lavender oil is so popular worldwide that it has a huge market not only in the USA, Asia, and North Africa, but mainly in Europe and especially in France! Find out why in this article.
100 years of lavender cultivation tradition
Lavender has been cultivated in Bulgaria for over 100 years. The climate conditions here are ideal for it, similar to those for the enchanting Damask rose, which Bulgaria is famous for growing in the EU. As early as the 1970s. years 20 In the 20th century, Bulgaria was a leading producer of both lavender oil and lavender concrete worldwide. Lavender fields covered an area of 70,000 km², with an annual production of 155 tons of lavender essential oil and 7,400 kg of concrete. (Lavender concrete is a waxy, semi-solid substance obtained by extraction of flowers with a solvent, and is the basis for producing absolutes.)
Bulgaria as a global leader in lavender oil production
In 2012, Bulgaria was once again recognized as a global leader in the production of this essential oil. By 2021, the total lavender field area had grown to 136,000 km², and the annual production now reaches around 400 tons. Imagine the beauty — lavender fields so vast that their end is invisible to the naked eye!
France in the background
One of the major buyers of Bulgarian lavender oil is also France. It’s no surprise, as lavender in France was decimated by disease between 2017 and 2018, destroying over 56% of these plants. The average annual French production is around 40 tons.
Where is Bulgarian lavender oil used?
99% of Bulgaria’s annual lavender production is exported worldwide for use in perfumery, pharmacology, aromatherapy, and cosmetics. Our buyers are not only European countries but also the USA, Asia, and North Africa. Simply put, you probably encounter Bulgarian lavender very often in your lavender products without even realizing it ;-)
Delight in the power of lavender with our 100% natural products. Enjoy the unique quality of 100% lavender essential oils, crafted with love and the utmost care, without chemicals, in pure nature, and following a family tradition.
Read another article from the lavender section: “How lavender saved burnt hands.”
Or check out the article about why every lavender smells a little different: “Not all lavender is the same.”
