“From Distillation to Destination — Making Your Agarwood Oil Market-Ready”
🎯 Learning Objectives
By the end of this module, participants will:
- Understand market segments for agarwood oil (domestic and international)
- Learn how to position, package, and brand products effectively
- Gain insights into pricing, certifications, and buyer requirements
- Develop an export readiness checklist and marketing strategy
🛍️ A. Market Segments for Agarwood Oil
| Market Sector | Characteristics | Buyer Priorities |
|---|---|---|
| Perfumery | France, UAE, India, niche brands | Scent profile, purity, batch consistency |
| Aromatherapy & Wellness | U.S., Europe, Korea, Philippines | Therapeutic claims, organic certification |
| Religious/Cultural Use | Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Thailand | Sourcing, potency, authenticity |
| Collectors/Investors | High-end Middle Eastern buyers | Traceability, age, rarity, oil type |
🪙 B. Value-Based Pricing Strategy
| Product Type | Target Price Range (per 12ml bottle)* |
|---|---|
| Raw agarwood essential oil | $300–$1,000+ USD |
| Blended oud oils (oud + base) | $80–$250 USD |
| Agarwood-infused wellness oil | $30–$80 USD |
📌 Prices vary by grade, scent complexity, source species, and age.
💡 Tips:
- Offer tiered pricing (e.g., Gold, Premium, Heritage)
- Use sensory storytelling in your descriptions
- Bundle with agarwood chips or brand gift boxes
🎨 C. Branding Your Product
1. Brand Identity Checklist
| Element | Example / Guidance |
|---|---|
| Brand Name | *BarIno™ |
| Logo & Color Palette | Earth tones, gold, tribal elements |
| Tagline | “Nature Distilled. Legacy Preserved.” |
| Packaging Design | Amber glass, tamper-proof seal, QR trace code |
| Labeling Requirements | Volume, batch code, origin, purity, ingredients |
2. Storytelling Matters
- Emphasize local origin (Philippines / Cavite)
- Share your resin induction process (e.g., BarIno™)
- Describe the ethical and sustainable sourcing practices
- Include farmer partnerships or cooperative sourcing
📦 D. Export Readiness & Certification
✅ Basic Export Checklist
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| CITES Export Permit | From DENR-BMB, for Aquilaria species |
| DNA Barcoding Certificate | Confirms species (A. malaccensis, etc.) |
| Certificate of Analysis (CoA) | GC-MS profile, physical properties |
| Product Notification (FDA) | If selling in retail packaging |
| Commercial Invoice & Packing List | For customs clearance |
| Export Commodity Clearance (ECC) | From DENR or EMB |
📤 E. How to Access International Buyers
Channels:
| Platform / Venue | Use |
|---|---|
| Trade Fairs (e.g., Beautyworld ME) | Direct buyer contacts |
| B2B Platforms (Alibaba, Tradekey) | Digital export & samples |
| LinkedIn / Instagram | Branding, storytelling, buyer engagement |
| Partnerships with distributors | Market penetration in Gulf & EU |
Marketing Materials:
- Product Fact Sheet (1-pager)
- Certificate Folder (CITES, DNA, CoA, Organic, etc.)
- Video tour of farm/distillery
- Free mini-sample sets (1ml)
💼 F. Building Buyer Confidence
| Strategy | Impact |
|---|---|
| Transparent Documentation | Trust and compliance |
| Professional Product Photos | Brand legitimacy |
| Consistent Packaging | Consumer recognition |
| Post-sale Follow-up (Feedback) | Loyalty and repeat orders |
| Use of QR codes for traceability | Verifiable story and quality assurance |
🧭 G. Strategic Export Positioning of Philippine Agarwood
🪵 Promote Philippines as an emerging sustainable oud source
🏝️ Highlight island terroir effects on scent
🧪 Leverage BarIno™ inoculation technology to boost quality
🌿 Feature community/farm cooperative production models
📣 Final Activity: “Pitch Your Product”
Participants will:
- Design a sample marketing label or bottle
- Draft a 1-minute elevator pitch for international buyers
- Present their brand story using a mock trade booth format
Would you like:
- A custom marketing pitch deck template?
- A label design sample for export packaging?
- To continue with Module 12: Business Scaling & Investor Readiness?
Let me know how you’d like to proceed.