By Mukesh 
Assam marked a significant milestone in its agro-forest economy with the first legally approved export of agarwood chips to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), opening a new chapter for an industry with vast global demand and strong revenue potential.
The consignment, comprising 100 kg of agarwood chips to Saudi Arabia and 12 kg to the UAE, was dispatched from the cargo terminal of Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport on Wednesday (May 13, 2026). The shipment was valued at ₹2.35 crore.
The consignment was exported after securing all statutory clearances, including a CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) permit and a restricted export licence from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.
Jehirul Islam, the chairman of the All Assam Agarwood Planters and Traders’ Association and the founder-chairman of the MJI Group, flagged off the shipment.
“This achievement is the result of years of research, policy advocacy, farmer engagement, plantation development, processing innovation and international compliance efforts,” he said.
Premium product
Agarwood, also known as oud, is one of the world’s most valuable aromatic raw materials and is widely used in luxury perfumes, incense, cosmetics and traditional products across the Gulf, Europe, and Southeast Asia.
Assam-grown agarwood is highly valued for its superior quality, rich aroma and high oil content, giving the state a strong advantage in international markets.
Industry stakeholders believe organised exports can generate substantial opportunities for farmers, nursery owners, distillation units, traders, and small enterprises across Assam and the wider Northeast.
Dr. Islam thanked Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for supporting the implementation of the Assam Agarwood Promotion Policy, 2020. The policy was introduced to legalise and regulate the cultivation, processing, and export of agarwood, while creating a transparent and farmer-friendly ecosystem.
Curbing illegal trade
According to Dr. Islam, the policy framework will help curb the illegal movement of agarwood, which, for years deprived local growers and entrepreneurs of fair returns.
He said regulated exports would enable producers in Assam to directly access global buyers instead of depending on informal channels and intermediaries.
Dr. Islam further said that the agarwood industry has the potential to generate revenue of ₹50,000 crore for Assam if cultivation, processing, and exports are scaled up in an organised manner.
He said the sector could emerge as one of the State’s leading foreign exchange earners, driven by rising international demand for agarwood chips, oud oil, perfumes, and other value-added aromatic products.