Global Market | Fair Agarwood Market | Market Access | Agarwood Trade | Policy Recommendations
Expanding market access for agarwood and its derivatives requires a strategic blend of regulatory compliance, product innovation, value chain development, and market positioning.
Strategies for Expanding Market Access for Agarwood
1. Regulatory Compliance & Certification
Ensuring legality and traceability is fundamental to market expansion, especially for international trade.
- CITES Compliance: Obtain proper permits for Aquilaria spp. exports (especially A. malaccensis).
- DENR/EMB Permits: Secure ECC/CNC for plantation activities.
- Sustainable Certification: Pursue third-party certification like:
- Organic or Fair Trade labels
- DNA barcoding certification (for traceability and authenticity)
2. Product Diversification
Cater to different segments (fragrance, wellness, religious, herbal) by offering a range of product formats.
- Essential oils (Oud): Premium-grade, hydro/CO₂ extracted
- Artisanal incense and bakhoor
- Perfumes and roll-on attars
- Agarwood tea, powder, capsules (functional foods)
- Luxury carved products and beads
3. Market Entry Channels
Targeting the right markets and using the right entry modes is key.
- Export Partnerships: Collaborate with regional distributors in UAE, China, Japan, and India.
- E-commerce & B2B Platforms: Alibaba, Faire, Etsy (for artisanal goods), Amazon
- Trade Fairs: Exhibit at international expos like:
- Beautyworld Middle East (Dubai)
- Cosmoprof Asia (Hong Kong)
- BioFach (Germany)
- Embassy Trade Missions: Engage with DTI and export assistance programs
4. Quality Assurance & Branding
Position your products as premium and traceable.
- Use standardized grading systems for chips and oil.
- Highlight provenance: “Sustainably grown in the Philippines” or “Farm-traceable oud.”
- Create a branded story rooted in nature, culture, and sustainability.
5. Institutional & Cooperative Development
Pooling smallholder production into cooperatives or corporate ventures increases volume and credibility.
- Agarwood Growers Agriculture Cooperative (AGAC)
- Community-Based Forest Management Agreements (CBFMA)
- Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) with government or NGOs
6. Market Intelligence & Export Readiness
Gather data on buyer preferences, legal barriers, and competitor benchmarks.
- Conduct buyer surveys (via email, B2B platforms)
- Engage in trade financing and export readiness training (via DTI, DA, USAID)
- Monitor pricing, purity, and trends via global market reports
7. Strategic Alliances & Licensing
- Form joint ventures with niche perfume houses or incense makers abroad
- License your inoculant or plantation protocol to other regions
- Offer white-label manufacturing for global wellness brands