India Showcases Promising Trade Potential for Agarwood in Qatar Seller-Buyer Meet

India, which exported agarwood worth $4.25mn globally in 2024-25, has showcased before key stakeholders in Qatar, its premium quality domestic agarwood, particularly from the North-Eastern region.

In this regard, the Embassy of India in Doha, in coordination with the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MoDoNER), Government of India, and the Indian Business and Professionals Council (IBPC), organised a hybrid buyer–seller meet on agarwood and its derivatives.

Around 150 participants from India and Qatar, including 46 exporters from India and nearly 35 perfume importers, hypermarkets, and supermarkets from Qatar, joined the event.

Leading buyers from Qatar expressed "strong interest" in exploring opportunities for collaboration in perfumery, retail, and hospitality sectors, where agarwood and its derivatives enjoy deep cultural, and economic significance.

"There is a growing demand for agarwood products in Qatar and the wider GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) region," said an official of the organisers.

The meet showcased the federal government's initiatives to enhance sustainable cultivation, streamline exports, and ensure global competitiveness.

Angshuman Dey, Joint Secretary, MoDoNER, delivered a keynote address highlighting the significance of the Indian agarwood industry.

He emphasised the unique heritage and premium quality of Indian agarwood, particularly from the North-Eastern region, as well as the Government of India’s initiatives to enhance sustainable cultivation.

The meet saw participation from representatives of Assam, Tripura, Nagaland, Manipur, and Meghalaya — the key North-Eastern states where agarwood is traditionally cultivated and processed.

India’s agarwood industry today offers a wide portfolio of products — from agarwood chips, oils, incense, and attars to perfumes, wellness items, and even innovative products like agarwood tea.

Globally, India exported agarwood worth $4.25mn (86,173kg) in 2024–25. Recognizing the rising international demand, the federal government has substantially expanded export quotas.

For 2024–27, export quotas for agarwood chips have been increased from 25,000 kg to more than 151,000 kg, and for agarwood oil from 1,500 kg to more than 7,000 kg.

In parallel, digital licensing systems and national quality standards are being introduced to ensure sustainability, transparency, and compliance with CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) regulations.

The event showcased the power of collaboration by connecting India’s exporters with Qatar’s leading buyers, opening new avenues for trade, innovation, and partnerships in the fragrant world of Oud.