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TRADE
Arabia: During early times frankincense was one of the costliest items in the
Arabian trade. It is said that the Queen of Sheba presented a large amount,
brought
by her from Yemen, to King Solomon in 1950 B.C. [1365]
Arabia: Frankincense is widely sold in markets throughout Arabia. In 1993 about
5 g of frankincense cost 3000 Omani Rials [1368]
Arabia: Trade in frankincense, myrrh and other similar oleo-gum-resins used to
be very extensive, but there is far less demand for them at present. In about
100 AD, the main areas for harvesting frankincense was the Dhofar region of South
Yemen and the Horn of Africa (Somalia). The port of Qana, some 400 km east of
Aden, was the collection and distribution center for overland camel routes to
the Mediterranean and the northern Persian Gulf (to the Parthian Empire) and
by sea westwards as far as India and the East Indies, and to northern Egypt via
the Red Sea. Today, only a few tons of frankincense are produced annually in
Arabia, compared with an estimated 3000 tons at the time of Christ. The decreased
demand for frankincense dates back to the Roman espousal of Christianity, exacerbated
by the rise of Islam in 622 AD - Islamic rituals seldom require incense. The
main uses became medical, cosmetic and as household incense, or as a fumigant.
Arabian dealers complain that cheaper incense from India and Somalia are now
swamping the market [1405]
B. sacra is the main source of frankincense today
China remains the main importer of the gum [1095]
Dhofar: In early records the gathering of the exudate was described as being
the job of slaves and of others banished to the area as a punishment. The collectors
were said frequently to perish from lack of food and to fall sick from the many
fatal infections endemic to the area. The gathered exudate was taken to the ports
and loaded onto the trading ships only with the express permission of the king
[1593]
Dhofar: Ptolemy described a frankincense trading depot in the mountains of Ophir,
thought to be in Dhofar. Excavations around the lagoon near Taqa have confirmed
that there was indeed an all-weather harbour and landing ground (now submerged
and silted up) [1593]
In the markets of the Roman Empire, the value of frankincense and myrrh was sometimes
equated with that of gold. The ancient Egyptians believed frankincense to be
the sweat of the gods, fallen to earth [1593]
India: According to a survey of Indian markets, nowadays it is not usual to find
the resin of B. sacra for sale. In the past it was sold in India under the name
'luban', but the products now sold under this name are the resin from Styrax
benzoin Dryand. from Indonesia or S. tonkinensis Craib ex Hartwich from Thailand,
both generally known as gum benzoin [1365]
Oleo-gum-resin: Trade in frankincense was of great economic significance. Firstly
to those who lived within the area in which the trees grew; secondly to those
who at varying stages in recorded history managed and organized the trade in
the gum and the various market outlets; and finally to those who controlled the
overland trade routes, especially once the successful domestication of the camel
had been achieved [1593]
Somalia, Yemen (Aden): Around 1949 frankincense was often dispatched to Aden
and then Bombay, the great emporium for gums and resins in the East, or it was
shipped direct to European ports. Most of the Somalian gum from what was then
British Somaliland, went through Aden. "Blocking" or consolidation
of the tears commonly occurs which makes sorting difficult and expensive, and
results in a lower price. It was suggested that to reduce the likelihood of blocking
the frankincense could be bought and graded at Berbera and dispatched direct
to consuming countries rather than to Aden first [1397]
Somalia: In 1982 Somalia had near monopoly control of the production of incense,
but this position is not at all exploited optimally. Actual production and potential
demand are unknown as international marketing of the raw products is still in
the hands of wealthy individuals who organize smuggling out of numerous seaports
on the northern coast to Aden and further to Bombay and China. The Somali Government
has attempted to put trade under the command of a national commercial agency
- The Frankincense and Gums Trading Agency (FGT). China remains the main importer
of the gum [1095]
Somalia: The average price paid to the seller in Somalia was estimated in 1982
to be about 0.80-1.20 US$ per kilo, with the lowest estimate thought the most
realistic. These prices seem low compared with other sources of income. The frankincense
cooperatives sell ungraded frankincense to the local FGT agent (Frankincense
and Gums Trading Agency). The price is then set according to estimated "average" quality.
The gum is then sorted and graded in local stores and packed for export. The
main ports for export are Berbera and Mogadishu. The big difference between the
prices paid by FGT agents and the export prices is a strong incentive for smuggling,
estimates of which vary from 20% (FGT estimate) to 80% of total production [1095]
Somalia: The export market in Somalia was declining in 1989. This was thought
in part to be due to an upsurge in illegal trade [1352]
Somalia: The Frankincense and Gums Trading Agency was formed out of the Somali
Trade Agency in November 1981. It is the only agency allowed to buy, handle,
sell and export frankincense, myrrh and other gums. Its annual sale is about
2000 tons. The agency has ten districts in the north and east where the incense
is bought from the collectors. The price is paid according to grade.
Trade in frankincense dates back to at least 2000 BC [1352]
U.S.A., Europe, imports: The oleo-gum-resin used commercially in the U.S.A. in
the perfume industry and in incense manufacture comes from India, Eritrea and
Somalia. That used in Europe also comes from Aden [506]
FIELD TRIALS
Somalia: Field trials were set up in several locations, with several hundred
B. sacra and B. frereana Birdw. cuttings planted. Details of the initial stage
of this project (up to 1982) are given in [1095]. There is no indication of any
results [1095]
Somalia: 6-7-year-old plantations of B. sacra were said to be found around Bosaso
in 1982 [1095]
Somalia: A plantation of 10,000 plants was established at Ambarsare, N.E. of
Gardo, in 1982 by the frankincense cooperative in Gardo [1342]
Somalia: A tree was planted at God Anod, 24 km N.E. of El Afwein, 1280 m above
sea-level in 1979. After 3 years it had reached 2.5 m and 4 cm diameter at the
root [1095]
Somalia: In August 1975 around 100 cuttings from B. sacra and B. frereana Birdw.
were planted in Erigavo for an FAO project at the forest nursery, now known as
the "Range Agency Nursery". The trial area had been turned into vegetable
gardens but reports suggested about 30 cuttings rooted and grew, despite the
relatively cool climate [1095]
Somalia: Seven individuals of B. sacra, planted in 1975, were growing at the
Debbis nursery. In 1982 the trees measured between 173 and 295 cm. A taller tree,
370 cm, had recently died. Most trees had been propagated from cuttings and transplanted,
but a few cuttings which had been planted directly had produced the largest trees.
The trees appeared to be barely growing, and under hard stress, probably due
to lack of water. Other trees in the area had microcatchments for rainwater;
the provision of these could have improved growing conditions [1095]
Somalia: Twelve cuttings were planted in 1975-1976 along the seasonal watercourse
at Mait at sea-level. Most had been destroyed in a storm but two survived in
1982, the largest being 4.5 m high and 15 cm dbh (below forking). The other tree
was 2.5 m high and 5-7 cm dbh and had been browsed by camels. The rainfall in
this coastal region seldom exceeds 50 mm/year and can be zero. These trees had
good access to somewhat brackish water [1095]
Yemen: Early Islamic literature described plantations around Shihr and in the
hinterland of the port of Qishn which was the main depot for frankincense [1593]
PRODUCTION POTENTIAL
No work has been reported on attempts to improve oleo-gum-resin yield of the
wild trees by varying tapping methods or frequency or by the use of chemical
flow enhancers. There is general agreement that existing procedures in Somalia
damage the trees [1352]
_____
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