21 September 2020

Could lavender be Australia's next $10 million rural industry?

| Hannah Sparks
Join the conversation
2
Crystal Brook Gardens and Lavender Farm.

Crystal Brook Gardens and Lavender Farm in Laggan, southeast NSW. Photo: Crystal Brook Gardens and Lavender Farm Facebook page.

The demand for Australian lavender oil sits at 50 tons per year, but the nation’s producers make well below that level. New research by La Trobe University and AgriFutures Australia will look at how to turn those numbers around and make the country a world leader in lavender oil exports.

The research will identify the best growing conditions and farming methods for Australian lavender, using trial planting about an hour northwest of Melbourne Airport.

Researchers will map the performance of different lavender varieties and farming practices to optimise growth and production. They will also assess soil characteristics and fertiliser regimes, and develop future breeding strategies to optimise lavender quality and yield.

READ ALSO Entering the ‘nightmare-ish’ world of the horse owner

The research will also support the development of an app to tell producers when their lavender is ready to harvest and a website that will make the research findings public.

Lavender producers such as Judith and Michael Basile, at Laggan in southeast NSW, say there is a desperate need for research and education.

They say few producers in the local lavender industry are willing to share their knowledge of growing and harvesting methods.

The couple taught themselves how to grow lavender at Crystal Brook Gardens and Lavender Farm in 1997, relying on Michael’s horticulture degree and their trips to lavender fields in France.

They also joined The Australian Lavender Growers Association in a bid to share what they had learnt and to encourage more research and development. Judith was president for several years while Michael sat on the board.

In 2011, Michael received a $68,000 grant from AgriFutures Australia – then known as Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation – to research Australian essential oil and establish a set of standards for producers.

READ ALSO Farmer Wants a Wife: Snowy Mountains farmer’s second chance at love in 2021 season

However, few producers were willing to share samples of their oil and the research never went ahead.

Most lavender essential oils sold in Australia are adulterated, which means they are diluted with other products such as almond oil or coconut oil, and the essential oil quality is lowered.

Before the grant, Judith and Michael had been attending markets and buying products labelled as lavender oil for testing. They found most were adulterated.

“Most people don’t know the difference between fragrant oil and essential oil,” says Judith. “There needs to be more education.”

Australia is a net importer of lavender oil, suggesting there is room for import replacement. In fact, the new research project is funded as part of the AgriFutures Emerging Industries Program, which supports the emergence of rural industries that can reach or exceed $10 million revenue by 2022.

READ ALSO Close encounter with great white shark sparks word of warning

It is hoped the research will provide new producers with the confidence and information to get up and running and secure maximum returns.

Larkman Nurseries and Golden Grove Naturals are taking part in the research. They produce tubestock and essential oils, respectively.

Clive Larkman of Larkman Nurseries, in Victoria’s Yarra Valley, actually came up with the research idea and approached La Trobe University. His long-term goal is to extend the research project across all essential oils in Australia and create a centre of excellence for essential oil production.

He believes the Australian lavender industry is willing to share information, but is limited by the ‘mum and dad’ businesses which only sell their essential oils on-farm or online.

Clive says Australia needs to sow five million plants to meet demand, and that the climate here is perfect, with lavender requiring very little water or fertiliser each year once established.

READ ALSO RFS supports two-year jail sentence for South Coast man who lit Deua River Valley bushfire

“The biggest cost is the plant itself – about $8000 per acre, but that’s a one-off purchase every 20 years,” he says. “We could change the face of Australian agriculture. Hobby farmers or bigger farmers could plant rosemary and lavender and make a nice income from selling them for oil.”

A benefit of lavender production is there are few diseases that affect it, says Judith.

“The only real issue is mildew, depending on where you plant it,” she says.

More plantings of lavender in Australia would also boost tourism, says Judith.

“People don’t come all the way from Sydney to see us; they want to see other things and if there were other lavender farms nearby they would go to see them, too,” she says.

Another 20,000 lavender plants will soon be in the ground in Bungendore, near Canberra, according to Judith, who has been speaking to the new producer.

Join the conversation

2
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest
Tania Millar9:04 pm 04 Nov 20

Hello My husband and I have been doing lots of research over the years about lavender and having a lavender farm. We have 110 acres on the Mid North Coast, Telegraph Point inland but near Port Macquarie.

We would love to have the opportunity for someone to guide us starting a business in the lavender world. We are currently looking at building a shed and then work around planning the outlay to plant lavender.

Outcome, moving forward we would like to sell lavender for the oil, make products, open our farm for tourism and make an affordable income.

Would love some feedback.

Kindest regards
Tania

Matthew Baumgartner11:50 am 15 Oct 23

Hi Tania, my wife and I are also on the Mid North Coast (Valla) and have been researching lavender farms. We are both curious as to how you went given this post was coming on three years ago. Looking forward to your reply!

Daily Digest

Do you like to know what’s happening around your region? Every day the About Regional team packages up our most popular stories and sends them straight to your inbox for free. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.