As part of the Binational Program Republic Haiti/Dominican Republic, funded by the European Union under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF), the Haiti’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIH) recently organized a mission for experts from the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) in Haiti, with the support of The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export). Haiti’s essential oils sector represents the country’s largest export sector, in particular the production of vétiver oil a main component in the production of fragrances and perfumes, exported primarily to Europe and the United States.

Mr. Stephen Weller and Mr. Peter Russell, officials from the IFRA conducted site visits to bitter orange producers in the country’s Northern region near Cape Haitian. This plantation, which is owned and operated by Grand Marnier in France, exports its entire production of bitter orange peel and essential oils to be used in the production of Grand Marnier’s “Cordon Rouge” liquor. They were able to relay valuable information on upcoming changes in EU legislation that will require essential oil producers to identify the oil components to avoid allergic reactions in consumers.

Weller and Russell also visited Haitian vétiver distiller UNIKODE in Port-au-Prince and Les Cayes (Southern region), an enterprise that has obtained organic certification and is a member of the Natural Resources Stewardship Circle (NRSC), an organisation that ensures the support of all value chain players and the traceability of their products from raw materials to the final products. In the South, the IFRA officials met with the country’s largest vetiver producer FRAGER and other distillers and growers. Growers expressed their concerns over the lack of financing available to assist them between harvests and the need for guidance in creating cooperatives.

During a workshop in Port-au-Prince, which brought together key stakeholders from both the public and private sector, a consensus was reached to create an association of producers, intermediaries, distillers, and other partners in the value chain to exchange information and work together in the common interest of the sector.

HL/ HaitiLibre