Research Article
Frankincense Production from Boswellia papyrifera “(Del.) Hochst” in South Kordofan State, Sudan (Production, Opportunities and Value Chain)
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 5, October 2025
Pages:
173-185
Received:
22 July 2025
Accepted:
11 August 2025
Published:
3 September 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.aff.20251405.11
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Abstract: Boswellia papyrifera “(Del.) Hochst” is an important multipurpose tree in the Savanna zone of Sudan. The tree produces frankincense which is considered as an important commodity in many African countries. There is lack of information about frankincense production, processing and marketing in Sudan. Therefore, this study aims to provide information about production, tapping, collection and processing and to disseminate this information to the producers, stakeholders such as companies, forest administrations and producers’ association. The methodology includes critical review to current literature on frankincense production and export from Sudan. Key informant interview with FNC staff and analyses of production data in the study area. The results showed that the average frankincense yield in the study area ranged between 1.7 to 2.6kg/tree. The average producer production is ranged between 60-85 quintal/ year. The analysis of the production data for the period 2017 to 2025 showed that the highest frankincense production (432.85 tonne/year) was recorded for Rashad locality followed by (343.32 tonne/year) for Talodi locality, while the lowest frankincense production of (12.3 tonne/year and 13.48 tonne/year) was recorded for Dalanj and Abu Gebiha localities, respectively. The frankincense price in the study area is started from 2700 US$ in the beginning of the season to 4450 US$/ tonne by the end of the season. For the value chain about eight actors in frankincense production were identified and their role in production, marketing and export was examined. Those actors include government bodies (Forest National Corporation (FNC), State Ministry of Finance, State Ministry of Agriculture, Zekat, Taxation office, and locality), local leader (Ommads and Sheikhs), Producers, village trader, traders in domestic markets, trader in urban markets and exporters. The study showed that the net revenue at village level is about 230000 SDG/quintal about 92 USD$, the revenue from domestic market is about 16 USD$/quintal, while the revenue from the auction market is about 116 USD$/quintal. The main production constrains in the study area include excessive tapping, lack of fund for tapping and collection, low frankincense price, expansion of cultivation, war, illicit cutting and animal grazing. The study concluded that frankincense production from Boswellia is profitable for all actors in the frankincense value chain. The study recommended providing financial support to frankincense producers during tapping and collection and offering credit facilities to local community to get production permit, reduction of taxes and fees. More research is need in production, marketing and supply chain of frankincense in Sudan as general and in South Kordofan in particular.
Abstract: Boswellia papyrifera “(Del.) Hochst” is an important multipurpose tree in the Savanna zone of Sudan. The tree produces frankincense which is considered as an important commodity in many African countries. There is lack of information about frankincense production, processing and marketing in Sudan. Therefore, this study aims to provide information ...
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,
Abbas Hassan Ali
