How is lemongrass oil positioned in the Chinese flavor and fragrance market, and what drives its demand?

How is lemongrass oil positioned in the Chinese flavor and fragrance market, and what drives its demand?
In the Chinese fragrance industry, lemongrass oil is a staple within the citrus and lemony scent family, often grouped alongside lemon oil, litsea cubeba oil, and citronella oil. Perfumers use it primarily for its fresh, sharp citrus top notes, which blend well with linalool-type basil, lavender, and neroli oils. Beyond perfumery, the oil's functional profile is expanding demand: its citral content is valued for antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, supporting use in aromatherapy, natural deodorants, and muscle-relaxant blends. The oil also serves as a natural raw material for citral extraction, linking its market to the broader citral supply chain used in vitamin A and ionone synthesis. As Chinese consumers shift toward natural and functional ingredients, lemongrass oil demand is growing in personal care and wellness applications, though price sensitivity remains a key factor for industrial buyers.