Australia remains the world leader in Tea Tree Oil production, despite increasing competition from international producers. In northern NSW and Queensland, more than 100 growers distil some 500 tonnes of Tea Tree Oil annually from a combined 3000 hectares of plantations. Of the oil produced, 85 per cent is exported, with half going to Europe.
Underlining this success is a long-standing partnership between the Australian Tea Tree Industry Association (ATTIA) and RIRDC. The partnership and co-investment has allowed growers to take a native plant out of the bush and – in just over a decade – create a highly regarded and productive industry whose access to scientific resources enables it to continuously improve and innovate.