Recent visits to our sourcing regions indicate that patchouli planting is progressing more slowly than is typically seen at this time of year. In several areas, farmers are postponing new planting while waiting for better soil moisture, resulting in fewer fields entering the next growing cycle.
These field observations align with recent climate outlooks from Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), which indicate a drier-than-normal dry season across much of the country, with El Niño conditions expected to persist into early 2027. While weather conditions naturally vary between regions, the current pattern is already influencing planting decisions in several patchouli-producing areas.
For the patchouli supply chain, the effect of slower planting is usually not immediate. Existing inventories and ongoing harvests continue to support the market today. However, reduced planting activity may affect the volume of oil available several months later, as fewer fields reach harvest.
At this stage, it is too early to estimate the overall impact on production. Nevertheless, if dry conditions continue and planting activity remains below normal, patchouli oil availability could become tighter toward the end of the year. Should demand remain stable or increase during the same period, the market may experience additional upward pressure on prices.
For manufacturers planning production in the coming months, reviewing procurement schedules in advance may help reduce supply uncertainty should market conditions tighten.
Our sourcing team will continue monitoring field conditions across our partner farming regions and share further updates as the season develops.