UNIDO, the dtic and SAEOPA host the 3rd South African Conference on Essential & Vegetable Oils: Local to Global: Home is Best!

The 3rd South African Conference on Essential and Vegetable Oils, held from 25-26 July 2024 in Pretoria was themed "Local to Global; East or West, Home is Best", and hosted by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), in partnership with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) and the Southern African Essential Oils Producers Association (SAEOPA). Bringing together 200 oil producers and stakeholders from across South Africa and Southern Africa, the conference was held under the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)-funded Global Quality Standards Programme South Africa Phase II project (GQSP-SA).

As emphasized by both Mr Daniel Lauchenauer, Head of SECO in South Africa, and Dr Tshenge Demana, a Chief Director at the dtic, the two days presented an unparalleled opportunity for stakeholders to engage with industry leaders, share best practices, forge partnerships and engage in in-depth discussions on key topics impacting the industry. 

Mr Bernard Bau, UNIDO GQSP-SA Phase II Project Manager, added that the National Quality Infrastructure plays a critical role in ensuring technical competence and conformity assessment services in serving this niche market. 

A wide range of topics were explored including navigating global standards and regulations, the crucial role of market access and quality assurance and the growing concern over the adulteration of essential and vegetable oils worldwide. The importance of locally produced oils in the growing markets of cosmeceuticals and aromatherapy further illustrated opportunities for local producers, as well as the contributions of the SADC region to the essential and vegetable oils sector. 

Overall, the conference offered valuable insights and served as a pivotal platform for knowledge sharing and networking among key players from government, academia and industry. Attendees gained meaningful insights from proven experts on the most pressing challenges, equipping them with the knowledge to thrive in the dynamic essential and vegetable oils sector. 

For more information about GQSP-South Africa Phase II, please contact Mr. Bernard Bau, Project Manager, b.bau [at] unido.org