History of the Oud & Agarwood Trade
Oud’s journey from Southeast Asian forests to Arabian perfume houses is centuries old, and it shaped trade as much as it shaped scent.
Agarwood has been traded along routes connecting South and Southeast Asia with Arabia and beyond for well over a thousand years, moving alongside spices and other precious goods. Its rarity and remarkable fragrance made it a valuable commodity long before formalised modern perfumery existed, and its trade helped cement long-standing cultural and commercial links between these regions.
From trade good to cultural cornerstone
As oud moved into Arabian markets, it became deeply woven into hospitality, celebration and religious practice — not simply an imported luxury, but a material that took on genuine cultural meaning of its own, as covered in our guide to oud in Arabian culture.
Frequently asked questions
Is the oud trade still active today?
Yes, very much so — modern oud trade now includes regulated wild harvest alongside a growing plantation-grown sector, covered in our sustainability guide.
Continue the trade’s story — explore our Pure Oud Oil.
