Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormEssential oil (lemon; expressed/cold-pressed or distilled)
Industry PositionProcessed agricultural ingredient (flavour & fragrance raw material)
Market
Lemon oil (HS 330113) in Brazil sits at the intersection of the citrus value chain and the flavour-and-fragrance ingredient market, with trade occurring in both directions. Based on UN Comtrade data accessed via WITS, Brazil’s 2024 gross exports of HS 330113 exceeded its gross imports, indicating a net-exporter position for this specific product code. In practice, supply continuity is strongly exposed to Brazil’s broader citrus disease environment (notably HLB/greening) in the main citrus belt. Buyers typically contract on chemical profile and purity expectations (e.g., ISO lemon oil specifications) and may require furocoumarin/phototoxicity controls for fragrance use cases.
Market RoleNet exporter (HS 330113 Essential oil of lemon) with two-way trade
Domestic RoleIndustrial ingredient used by Brazilian flavour, fragrance, personal care, and household-product formulators; also traded for reprocessing/blending
Risks
Plant Health HighCitrus greening (HLB) is a systemic supply risk in Brazil’s main citrus belt (São Paulo and Triângulo/Sudoeste Mineiro). High disease incidence can depress citrus productivity and disrupt availability and cost of citrus peel feedstock used for citrus-derived essential oils, creating sudden supply tightness and contract non-performance risk.Contract with suppliers demonstrating active HLB management programs, diversify sourcing across regions/suppliers, and maintain safety stock or optional volumes ahead of peak-risk periods.
Labor And Human Rights MediumBrazil’s citrus harvesting sector has documented cases of severe labor irregularities, including inspections reporting workers in conditions analogous to slavery during orange harvesting in São Paulo. Citrus-derived ingredients can inherit reputational and buyer compliance risk if upstream labor due diligence is weak.Require supplier social compliance programs, contractor/crew oversight controls, and evidence of labor inspections; align procurement to credible third-party audits where feasible.
Regulatory Compliance MediumFor fragrance applications, certain expressed citrus oils (including lemon oil cold pressed) are managed under IFRA phototoxicity-related standards. Mis-specifying grade (e.g., furocoumarin content/controls) can trigger downstream reformulation, recalls, or buyer rejection.Match product grade to end use (food vs fragrance), document furocoumarin/phototoxicity-relevant specs when applicable, and align customer documentation to IFRA-referenced restrictions.
Quality MediumLemon oil is oxidation-sensitive; poor storage or hot logistics can degrade aroma profile and increase quality claims/rejections. Market risk is amplified where buyers purchase against tight chemical-profile specifications.Implement oxidation-control handling (light/heat/oxygen), ship in appropriate lined containers, and release lots against specification-linked QC (identity/purity profile).
Sustainability- Citrus-disease pressure can drive intensified orchard management and replanting cycles, increasing scrutiny on agronomic inputs and long-term supply resilience in the main citrus belt.
- Climate variability (heat/drought episodes) can compound disease impacts in Brazil’s citrus regions, affecting feedstock availability and pricing.
Labor & Social- Citrus harvest labor-rights due diligence is a non-trivial requirement in Brazil’s citrus belt, with enforcement actions and investigations reporting severe irregularities (including conditions analogous to slavery) in orange harvesting operations in São Paulo.
- Migrant/seasonal labor vulnerability and contractor management are key audit points for citrus-derived supply chains (including peel-derived ingredients).
FAQ
Is Brazil a net exporter or net importer of lemon essential oil (HS 330113)?Based on UN Comtrade data accessed via WITS for 2024, Brazil’s gross exports of HS 330113 (Essential oils of lemon) were higher than its gross imports. That indicates Brazil is a net exporter for this specific HS code in that year.
What is the biggest Brazil-specific supply risk for citrus-derived ingredients like lemon oil?Citrus greening (HLB) is a major systemic risk in Brazil’s main citrus belt. Fundecitrus’ 2025 survey reports very high greening incidence in the São Paulo and Triângulo/Sudoeste Mineiro citrus belt, which can reduce citrus productivity and disrupt feedstock availability and costs.
What Brazilian regulation explicitly recognizes essential oils as natural flavorings for food applications?ANVISA’s RDC nº 2/2007 (Regulamento Técnico sobre Aromatizantes) includes essential oils within the definition of natural flavorings obtained by physical processes, providing a regulatory anchor for essential-oil flavoring use in Brazil.