“Regretfully 99% of our lavender production goes for export. Bulgaria still does not have a well-developed cosmetics industry which uses this particular essential oil as a main raw material,” says Mr Lissicharov.

The US is the world’s largest consumer of lavender oil, but the main buyers of Bulgaria’s exports are Germany, France and Austria, according to the Bulgarian National Association of Essential Oils, Perfumery and Cosmetics.

Lavender needs full sun and well-drained soil to grow well. The plant originated from Mediterranean countries, so it requires temperatures of 20-30C during late spring and early summer to thrive.

Some varieties can, however, be successfully grown in countries like the UK. And it was recently reported that sales of English lavender oil have risen sharply this year. , external

Although labour costs do play a part in the price of lavender oil, ultimately it comes down to its quality. And many say that French oil remains the best.

Alain Aubanel, president of the Interprofessional Committee of French Essential Oils and owner of Distillerie des 4 Valees (Distillery of the Four Valleys), says that while production in France has been increasing in recent years, his focus is on quality.

“It is true that in terms of prices, we can’t compete,” he says. “Nevertheless, in terms of quality, know-how, traceability, and the varieties adapted to the soil, there we really have an important card to play.

“It’s like for the wine. The varieties we use in France are not the same as the ones used in Bulgaria. It’s not the same climate, and the production process is also totally different.”

That is important to some buyers.