Linking Ethiopian Gums and Resins to International Markets
Who
GIZ & ProFound
What
Development of sustainable Gums and Resins supply chains in Ethiopia and linking them to international markets.
Services
Where
Afar region; Ethiopian lowlands
When
2019
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Gums and resins, such as frankincense, myrrh, and gum acacia, hold significant importance in the daily lives of many Ethiopians. For pastoral communities across the Horn of Africa, they are a critical source of income, with substantial trade volumes driving the sector. However, those involved in harvesting and collection—often at the very beginning of the supply chain—generally have limited knowledge and skills.
The sector also remains largely informal, with transparency being a key challenge. Furthermore, international standards like Organic, Wild Collection, Fair Trade, and Ethical BioTrade have yet to make a meaningful impact on Ethiopia’s gums and resins supply chains.
Key Results
Improved incomes for a wider group of beekeepers.
Higher incomes for entrepreneurs exporting honey.
Increased awareness of organic agriculture in Ethiopia and its broader recognition in Europe.
What did we do?
The primary goal of the project was to create sustainable supply chains for gums and resins, with a strong emphasis on traceability back to individual collectors.
Additionally, ProFound played a key role in connecting collectors and their communities to markets that adhere to standards commonly used in Organic, Fair Trade, and Ethical BioTrade practices.
Supply chain analysis
Training on harvest, post-harvest, and marketing practices
Samples and mapping
Potential suppliers and collector-supplier agreement
Strengthening Drought Resilience in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lowlands of Ethiopia (SDR-ASAL)
Gums and Resins such as Frankincense, Myrrh, Gum Acacia play an important role in the daily life of many Ethiopians. They are a vital source of income for many pastoral communities in the Horn of Africa.
Despite the significant trade volumes, those involved in harvesting and collecting often lack adequate knowledge and skills.