Bulgaria produces nearly 70% of the world's rose oil, a precious essence worth more than gold by weight.

The Rose Valley in Bulgaria, nestled between the Balkan and Sredna Gora mountains, creates a unique microclimate essential for cultivating Rosa damascena. The region's mild winters, high humidity, and sandy, permeable soil work together to prevent essential oils from evaporating from the petals before harvest.Harvesting is intensely labor-intensive and must occur between mid-May and mid-June. Workers pick roses starting at 5:00 AM and finish by 10:00 AM while dew still coats the flowers. This narrow window preserves the highest concentration of aromatic compounds before the sun's heat dissipates them.Producing one kilogram of rose oil requires approximately 3.5 to 4 metric tons of petals. This dramatic ratio of raw material to finished product drives prices to roughly $10,000 to $12,000 per kilogram—often exceeding the price of gold per gram, depending on market conditions.Chemically, Bulgarian rose oil contains over 300 distinct components, including citronellol, geraniol, and nerol. These compounds create the oil's complex, long-lasting scent profile. Major fragrance houses including Dior, Givenchy, and Chanel depend on this specific Bulgarian variety for its unmatched purity and fixative properties.