NATURAL INCENSE FROM ETHIOPIA


Our mission





Since 2012, the Boswellia Project has aimed to strengthen the ecological preservation of the frankincense tree Boswellia and to improve its positive economic impact for Christian communities in the arid region of Tigray, northern Ethiopia.


Recent scientific research in the area (Groenendijk et al., “Limitations to sustainable frankincense production…,” Journal of Applied Ecology, 2011) shows that the maintenance of forest resources is being seriously threatened by intensive resin harvesting carried out by foreign companies.


The Boswellia Project is a unique initiative that combines respect for the environment with high-quality liturgical products. No other company or monastery in Europe offers natural incense produced exclusively from sustainable sources.



Our Vision





Just as there was a Spice Trade Route, there was also an Incense Route, which flourished from South Arabia to the Mediterranean between approximately the 7th century B.C. and the 2nd century A.D.


Since then, frankincense, a natural aromatic resin produced by the Boswellia tree, has been used in cathedrals, churches, and monasteries for centuries throughout the world.


Today, it has become crucial to introduce a new way of collecting and distributing incense for churches. With an innovative model of sustainable production and fair distribution, the Boswellia Project offers:


- higher income for family farmers

- sustainable preservation of forest resources

- an optimal price–quality ratio for churches



About The Boswellia Project





The entire economic structure of the Boswellia Project was developed in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, with the exception of the distribution entity in Europe, which is based in France and legally dedicated to the Boswellia Project.


The preservation phase for Boswellia trees is carried out in collaboration with researchers in ethnobotany and pharmacology from universities in Ethiopia and France.


The information provided here fully presents the core principles of the economic and environmental partnership established by the Boswellia Project with Christian families in Tigray.


You can contact our team by email at contact@projetboswellia.com or via WhatsApp at +33 6 69 95 24 01.



Frequently Asked Questions



Q: To what extent do producers benefit from the project?



The producers’ share represents 20% to 25% of the selling price of the incense charged to the customer. The remaining 75% to 80% cover handling, packaging, taxes, shipping from France, and operational management in Ethiopia.


+ To ensure greater efficiency, we do not use resellers. Our incense is available exclusively through our website.



Q: What are the most ordered scents?



Besides natural incense, the most ordered scents are nard, rose, amber, and jasmine.


+ All our products are hypoallergenic and do not contain any chemical additives. Since 2012, more than 3,500 parishes worldwide, including priests and parishioners with asthma or allergies, have used our incense.



Q: How does delivery work?



Your order will be delivered to your address by your national postal service within 7 days. Delivery is free for all orders and to all destinations worldwide.


+ Our incense is packaged in solid, airtight white kraft bags. Every first order comes with a cotton bag, free samples, and a leaflet presenting the Boswellia Project in Ethiopia.



Q: Can I pay after receiving my order?



Existing customers can pay after receiving their order.


+ We send a confirmation email for each order, containing all the information needed to proceed with payment.



40,000 Boswellia trees



40,000 Boswellia trees protected within a 1,000-acre forest area



1,000 grams



1,000 grams of natural incense resin collected annually per tree



65 producers



Up to 65 producers participating in the production cooperative



+150% increase in the purchase price



+150% increase in the purchase price paid to producers compared to the local market



Vatican News





« L'encens a désormais son commerce solidaire »

25/12/12


Listen

La Croix





« Comme le café, l'encens a son commerce solidaire » 10/08/12


Read

Vatican News





« L'encens a désormais son commerce solidaire »

25/12/12


Read

Radio RCF





Émission

« Parlons-en »

17/10/12


Listen

Radio RCF




Émission

« Ça va mieux en le disant »

29/03/13

Listen

Tigray Region, Ethiopia





OUR COMMITMENTS





01



Innovative



An innovative method of local production and processing of natural incense, to secure the producers' incomes and the perpetuation of know-how in Christian rural families.​



02



Collaborative



A collaboration between Ethiopian and French researchers, with the participation of local natural resin collectors in the Tigray region.



03



Sustainable



A sustainable agroforestry model on a protected area of a thousand acres, through a methodology of production and resource conservation following the recommendations of the latest scientific research: - protection of the young trees, - reduction of animal and human interference, - improve pollination by installing beehives.