Assam Exports First Legal Agarwood Shipment to Gulf

• Assam exports first legal agarwood shipment to Gulf nations
• Consignment worth Rs 2.35 crore sent to Saudi Arabia and UAE
• Export cleared under CITES and DGFT regulations
• Industry projected to generate Rs 50,000 crore annually

GG News Bureau
Guwahati, 14th May: Assam on Wednesday marked a major breakthrough in its agro-forest economy with the first legally approved export of agarwood chips to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The consignment, dispatched from Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, included 100 kg of agarwood chips to Saudi Arabia and 12 kg to the UAE.

Officials said the total value of the shipment stood at Rs 2.35 crore.

Export Gets Full Regulatory Clearance
The export received all mandatory approvals, including permits under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and a restricted export licence from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

The consignment was flagged off by Jehirul Islam, who called the development a historic milestone for Assam’s indigenous agarwood industry.

He said the achievement followed years of research, policy advocacy, plantation development and international compliance efforts.

Assam Oud Finds Global Demand
Agarwood, also known as oud, is among the world’s most expensive aromatic raw materials and is widely used in perfumes, incense, cosmetics and luxury fragrance products across Gulf countries, Europe and Southeast Asia.

Industry experts said Assam-grown agarwood enjoys strong international demand because of its rich aroma, superior quality and high oil content.

Officials believe organised exports could create major economic opportunities for farmers, processors, distillation units and small businesses across Assam and the Northeast.

Policy Push to Boost Industry
Islam credited the Assam and Central governments for supporting the export initiative and acknowledged the role of Himanta Biswa Sarma in implementing the Assam Agarwood Promotion Policy, 2020.

The policy was introduced to legalise and regulate cultivation, processing and exports while curbing illegal trade in the sector.

According to industry stakeholders, regulated exports will help local growers directly access global buyers instead of relying on informal networks.

Rs 50,000 Crore Revenue Potential
Industry leaders estimate that Assam’s agarwood sector could generate up to Rs 50,000 crore annually if cultivation, processing and exports expand in an organised manner.

Experts said the industry could emerge as a major foreign exchange earner for Assam and significantly strengthen the rural economy.

Beyond raw agarwood chips, the sector also offers opportunities in value-added products such as oud oil, perfumes, incense, bakhoor and aromatherapy products.

Officials said companies including MJI Aromatics Pvt Ltd plan to expand plantations, develop advanced processing facilities and build a global brand for Assam oud products.