How the west’s wellness industry is driving Ethiopia’s frankincense trees towards extinction

Frankincense has been harvested in the Horn of Africa and across the Red Sea in the Arabian peninsula for millennia .

In ancient Egypt , it was prized for its deep, woody fragrance.

Recently, this ancient resin has become a hot commodity globally as its alleged health benefits catch the attention of the wellness industry.

Researchers found that frankincense trees in Sudan , Ethiopia and Eritrea were subject to “reckless” over-tapping, with too many cuts made too close together, too deeply and too often to meet soaring international demand.

The trees are being hit by fires and droughts, which degrade soils and leave the trees vulnerable to blowing over in high winds.

Discussions are under way on whether to protect Boswellia under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites) A wellness company in New York might make $ 200 a kilo, compared with $ 2 a kg paid to harvesters.

In two areas of Somalia , for example, 225,000 people derive between 57% of their income from the frankincense trade.