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Experts discuss ways to turn out agarwood essence
The proliferation of “do bau” trees (Aquilaria spp.) in a number of Vietnamese localities suggests a large potential for developing this kind of agarwood tree in the country.
At a seminar examining the possibility of creating agarwood from the “ do bau” tree and the potential market demand held by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) in Hanoi on Oct. 23, the participants shared information regarding different varieties of “ do bau ” trees and their planting methods, the dynamics of demand as well as the establishment of a legal framework in this field.
MARD Deputy Minister Hua Duc Nhi emphasised the importance of organising seminars focusing on the “ do bau ” tree in order to best assist functional agencies and local authorities in creating plans to develop the tree, which has a high economic and social value.
The most valuable product from the “ do bau ” tree is agarwood essence, which is extracted from the trunk. A natural chemical substance, agarwood essence has long been used in the production of a range of pharmaceutical products and cosmetics and is also used in religious ceremonies across the world, hence its high market value.
According to the Vietnam Association of Forestry Sciences, the country now grows more than 18,000 ha of
“do bau ” trees, mostly in central provinces such as Ha Tinh, Quang Nam, Kon Tum and in southern Binh Phuoc, An Giang and Kien Giang provinces.
As many as 167 countries and territories worldwide are involved in the trade and use of agarwood essence, said Nguyen Huy Son, head of a scientific research project examining the sustainable development of the “do bau ” tree in Vietnam.
Vietnam’s agarwood products account for a modest world market share of 1.16 percent in 22 countries and are usually sold at prices lower than the true market value, Son said.
VNN
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