The aquilaria tree, the most important source of agarwood, is a species native to the Southeast Asian region. The resin, called agarwood, is formed naturally when the tree is affected by certain external factors, such as animal grazing, insect attack or microbial invasion and causes a moist smelling stain to the core of the tree. Thanks to extensive research and a patented organic and vegetable serum, it is possible to promote the appearance of resin in the tree.

Agarwood has been a highly prized forest product for thousands of years, used in perfumes, incense, medicines, in aromatherapy, in cultural and religious ceremonies (religious and secular), in research against cancer, in traditional Chinese medicine, in the treatment of respiratory disorders, given as gifts and worked into sculptures, beads and boxes.

Agarwood chips (another product derived from agarwood) are burned to produce a pleasant aroma. Their use varies from a general fragrance to an ingredient for important religious occasions. Irregular agarwood chips, usually a few centimeters in length and weighing between 10 and 200 g, can be cut into small pieces and then burned, usually in a purpose-made incense burner. These chips can also be ground into a powder and form the basic ingredient of the multi-billion dollar incense industry. They can also be incorporated into many other varied and growing commercial uses.

Oud Oil

Oud oil, a derivative of agarwood, is a precious commodity that has been prized throughout history. It is extracted from the resinous hardwood or agarwood of tropical aquilaria trees. This resin, called oud or agarwood, is one of the most important ingredients in the perfume industry today: one in eight of the greatest perfumes contains oud.

The fragrance market continues to grow at an accelerated rate, with over 1,200 luxury fragrances launched each year. The global market is expected to reach $36 billion in 2017 as fragrance brands strive to find new and innovative ways to compete for the biggest market share.

Oud-based perfumes, with their intense woody and smoky scent, are becoming a mainstay in modern perfumery; this is why many high-end perfumes use oud as a base ingredient all over the world.

The Global Demand for Agarwood and Oud Oil

The market for agarwood, whether for oil, wood chips or medicinal applications, is growing rapidly. The latest CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) records show that recorded global trade in oud oil in 2012 was 4,870 litres, an increase of 1.512% in volume since 2004. Major importers of oud oil include Saudi Arabia, UAE, Malaysia and Bahrain.

The latest records from TradeMap indicate that recorded global trade in agarwood chips and powder in 2013 amounted to 4.7 million kg, an increase of 878% in volume since 1995. Major importers of chips and of agarwood powder include Singapore, China, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, UAE

investment

Investing in forestry assets turns out to be a very good decision. Over the last 30 years, the graphs show that the forester outperforms all the others with an average of 10.22% per year.

It is often a direct investment. The investor buys trees, mandates an agro-forestry company for the management of his trees. Depending on the experience of the latter, it will benefit from its know-how, different levels of security and the guarantee of the price of oud oil. The investment ends when the company buys back the oud oil from the investor. The price of oud oil is around USD 30,000 per kilogram.

It is an investment in the real economy, sustainable, socially responsible, transparent and efficient, thanks to collaboration with local populations, according to sustainable practices and a modern concept that induces sound and sustainable business practices.