Harvesting Agarwood

Induction Training | Introduction | Methods & Techniques | Step by Step | Post-Inoculation Care | Harvesting

Step 1: Identifying Harvest-Ready Trees

  • Trees with dark resinous streaks visible from drilling points.
  • Strong woody aroma detected near inoculation wounds.
  • No further increase in resin after the 4-5 year mark.

Test Method: Drill a small hole near existing inoculation sites and check for dark, fragrant resin.


Step 2: Sustainable Tree Harvesting

There are two major harvesting methods:

Harvesting MethodProcessBest For
Selective HarvestingCutting only resin-rich sections while keeping the tree alive.Long-term sustainable farming.
Full-Tree HarvestingCutting down the entire tree and processing it for resin.Old or severely infected trees.

Best Practice: Use selective harvesting to allow the tree to recover and continue resin production.


Step 3: Wood Processing for Agarwood Products

Once harvested, proper drying & grading ensures the best market value.

Processing StageDescription
CleaningRemove dirt, outer bark & non-resinous wood.
DryingSun-dry or air-dry for 2-3 weeks to enhance aroma.
SortingSeparate based on resin concentration & grade.
GrindingFor oud oil extraction, agarwood chips are ground into fine powder.
Steam DistillationOud oil is extracted using traditional or supercritical CO₂ methods.

For Premium Oud Oil: Supercritical CO₂ extraction yields high-quality, pure oud oil for luxury perfumes & medicinal uses.


Agarwood Grading & Market Value

Agarwood is classified based on resin concentration, aroma, and texture.

GradeCharacteristicsMarket Value
Grade A+ (Kyara)Dark black, highly resinous, strong aroma$$$$$ (Luxury market)
Grade ADeep brown, solid resin lines, rich fragrance$$$$
Grade BMedium brown, moderate resin, mild aroma$$$
Grade CLight brown, less resin, weak aroma$$

Premium agarwood is sold at $10,000–$100,000/kg in the international market!


Key Challenges & Solutions in Post-Inoculation Care & Harvesting

ChallengesSolutions
Slow resin formationUse biological inoculants & proper soil care.
Tree mortalityAvoid excessive inoculation holes.
Pest infestationUse organic pest control (neem oil, diatomaceous earth, companion planting).
Poor resin qualityExtend the maturation period (3-5 years) before harvesting.
OverharvestingUse selective harvesting to allow tree regrowth.

Best Strategy: Maintain healthy trees, practice sustainable harvesting, and process agarwood properly for maximum profit.

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