Inside Australia’s Essential Oils Industry: A Conversation with Erika Reeves, Portfolio Lead at IXOM

Few people have shaped the Australian essential oils industry quite like Erika Reeves, IXOM’s Portfolio Lead for Essential Oils. With nearly three decades of experience in sourcing, quality assurance, and product development, Erika brings a deep technical and commercial understanding that directly benefits IXOM customers.

We sat down with her to discuss her work, her long involvement with IFEAT, and her incredible efforts coordinating IFEAT’s 2026 Study Tour.

Erika, tell us about your role at IXOM.

I lead IXOM’s essential oils portfolio within the Commercial NPI and NPD team. We manage everything from sourcing raw materials from growers around the world, to developing finished products—like our recently launched serum range—for customers who sell into the beauty and wellness market.

My role sits at the intersection of commercial and technical. I work closely with producers, oversee product development, and am responsible for technical quality sign off. That means verifying that what we buy is exactly what we think we’re buying, an area where IXOM truly differentiates itself. Not many suppliers go to the level of validation and traceability that we do.

How did your involvement with IFEAT begin?

I’ve been attending IFEAT for around 28 years. Over that time, I’ve built long standing relationships across the global essential oils community—many of us quite literally grew up in the industry together.

This year, IFEAT invited me to lead the Australia Study Tour. IXOM is one of the most recognised essential oil brands in the region, and I’ve worked with so many growers, distillers, and producers across the country that it felt like a natural fit.

It’s incredibly rewarding to be recognised not just for longevity, but for contributing to the industry in meaningful ways. I’m a naturally outgoing person, and I’ve always believed that relationships are at the heart of this work. IFEAT has given me a sense of family, and I’m honoured to help showcase our industry.

What can participants expect from the study tour?

We started on the Gold Coast on 28 February and spent three days in northern NSW, starting off by visiting a lemon myrtle producer, exploring native ingredients like finger lime and touring essential oil producers specialising in tea tree, honey myrtle, and other native botanicals.

We then visited Southern Cross University to look at tea tree clonal programs focused on consistent quality, followed by a tour of Main Camp, Australia’s largest tea tree plantation.

From there we flew to Adelaide to explore sandalwood and buddawood production at Wild Woods and travelled to GR Davis, a key eucalyptus producer.

We finished in Tasmania, visiting peppermint, parsley, and fennel farms and observing harvest and distillation where possible. One highlight is seeing boronia, which is grown only in Tasmania. Participants were able to get a rare look at both the crop and the solvent extraction process.

What are you most excited to showcase?

Australia’s essential oil industry is incredibly diverse. Many people only associate us with tea tree or sandalwood, but we produce so much more. Boronia is a perfect example, and most people have never seen it growing in the field.

I’m excited to share the passion, innovation, and technical expertise behind these products. There’s a real commitment from growers and producers to quality and sustainability, and it's something I love shining a light on.

Want to explore Australian botanicals or learn more about our essential oils portfolio?

Our team is always happy to share knowledge, support product development, or discuss new opportunities in native Australian oils.

Reach out to us any time here.