What is Happening with Natural Raw Materials
In recent years, the market for natural fragrance ingredients has become increasingly unpredictable. Many materials that have been used in perfumery for centuries are becoming more expensive, harder to source, or even disappearing from the market altogether.
And this is one of the reasons why commercial perfumery often chooses to move toward synthetic substitutes.
But behind every natural essence there is more than just a price tag. Each material carries a story — about flowers and trees, about farmers work, about long cycles of growth, and about sustainability challenges.
Neroli – a fragrance that has become 2.5 times more expensive
Neroli essential oil, distilled from the flowers of the bitter orange tree, is one of nature’s brightest gifts for perfumers. It is also a key ingredient in our ANIMA fragrance.
Just a year ago it was costly yet accessible. Today, its price has risen on average by 2.5 times. The main reasons:
This year, in some countries neroli harvest fell by half.
Demand is rising across all industries – aromatherapy, cosmetics, and perfumery.
Some suppliers are stockpiling, waiting for further price increases.
The result: a raw material that was already precious has become even more rare and costly.
Vetiver – the earthy note with a luxury price tag
Vetiver root oil is a cult ingredient in luxury perfumery and aromatherapy. Its price increase is driven by:
Growing demand in luxury and wellness markets,
A time-consuming production process – roots need to grow for years before they can be harvested,
Stronger sustainability requirements and limited availability.
Vetiver is becoming more exclusive, yet also more indispensable as a grounding base note.
Sandalwood – valued ingredient that takes decades to grow
Santalum album, also known as Indian sandalwood, is one of the oldest and most sacred fragrance materials in the world. To obtain high-quality oil, the tree must grow for 15–30 years until aromatic resins form in its heartwood.
Demand for authentic sandalwood oil exceeds supply, while cultivation and trade are strictly controlled to prevent illegal logging. This makes sandalwood not only an aromatic treasure but also an exceptionally valuable and expensive resource.
Palo Santo – when availability becomes scarce
This year, one highly sought-after material — Palo Santo wood oil — has simply vanished from the market. Why?
The usable heartwood comes only from fallen trees that are 80–90 years old.
Local regulations allow harvesting only from naturally fallen wood.
Supply is seasonal and released in small “Limited Production” batches.
This means Palo Santo oil will always remain rare and limited.
What does this mean for us at 13:13 perfumery?
Our principles remain unchanged — we choose to create fragrances from natural and high-value raw materials. But it also means that every perfume batch will always be a limited edition, because the natural raw materials market is inherently unpredictable.
And here lies the beauty of it. The deeper we realise the value of natural ingredients, the more we return to the original principle of 13:13 perfumery:
fragrances to be used down to the very last drop,
fragrances made to fit you perfectly,
fragrances as a ritual and a practice of mindfulness, surrounding you and becoming and extension of your soul.
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