“We face a variety of challenges, and when it comes to long-cycle production, we have an even greater responsibility to maintain our commitments over time.” said the spokesperson. agroforexa company that supplies products to fragrance manufacturers. Gurujun, benzoin and aquilaria From Laos (Agarwood or Oud).
long term partnership
The production of these valuable fragrance ingredients is in a long cycle (At least 20 years for Aquilaria, 18 years for Benzoin and at least 30 years for Gurjun) This includes long-term relationships and commitment with local communities. However, sustainable production, as well known as it may be in today’s industry, can also mean implementing an approach with multiple standards (biodiversity, responsibility, traceability, CITES, Nagoya Protocol, etc.). meaning, but it needs to be explained and understood by village communities and different people. management level.
Founded in 1992, Agroforex Company operates at the very beginning of the sector, as close as possible to the grower and harvester community.. “Although they are technically essential to the perfume and flavor industry, the resources we are working with are being shifted to crops with greater potential (rubber trees, eucalyptus, cassava, sugar cane, etc.) It is often considered a small-scale product by authorities. Create local manufacturing (latex, pulp and paper, sugar, ethanol, etc.) with support from local banks.”
Freezing rain in 2015-2016 destroyed the entire Stiraxicol site (Styrax tree is the tree from which benzoin is obtained from the bark), so Agrophorex has launched a conservation program covering hundreds of hectares, an approach that is fairly unusual in the private sector. This explains why it is so important for companies undertaking such large-scale initiatives to have long-term support from the user industry.
Biodiversity and local economy
whether it is so or not Styrax tree For the production of benzoin, Aquilaria Krasna In the case of oud, many of the natural resources from which these raw materials originate have very strong ties to biodiversity and the extractive farmers who are the “key actors.”
trees such as Styrax tree For example, vines are needed to reduce radiation and prevent bark cracking, which is exploited.Others, e.g. Aquilaria Krasna, a specific type of stinging ant is required to produce agarwood (oud). The key actors, the keen observers, bring their expertise to the issue without showing up. The expertise of local residents is invaluable here.
Additionally, leveraging these products is typically done manually. It is organized around multiple systems (complex farming activities at family scale) that can contain rural runoff and ensure a stable food supply for the population, and to perpetuate primary control of these resources. is an essential condition.
For these “key actors”, this multiactivity reduces risks (economic, climatic, etc.), and these products, which are obtained on a small scale and in a small area, provide a source of financial income.
“We are driven by curiosity and passion to provide perfumers with essential and useful ingredients, despite all adversity.” emphasizes the company.
Agrophorex Company, together with six other independent producers and suppliers of natural flavoring ingredients, will be presenting “Natural・We will gather in a common stand under the banner “Corner” to display our iconic raw materials. .