A groundbreaking study led by scientists at Hong Kong’s Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) has identified critical gaps in global agarwood trade management, urging targeted conservation actions to protect endangered tree species threatened by unsustainable exploitation. Published in Global Ecology and Conservation, the research highlights how illegal and unregulated trade – fuelled by high demand for agarwood in luxury, medicinal and religious markets – continues to decimate wild populations, despite existing international protections.

Agarwood, a fragrant resin extracted from Aquilaria, Gyrinops and other tree species, is among the world’s most valuable forest commodities, with illegal trade estimated to rival ivory and rhino horn in profitability. While 62 species are listed under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) for agarwood trade control, the study reveals challenges currently faced by trade oversight mechanisms. For instance, in 2024, Hong Kong Customs intercepted a tonne of illegal agarwood valued at HK$18 million – a stark example of the trade’s scale.

“CITES listings do not comprehensively address the threat,” says Dr Benny Lai, a conservation scientist at KFBG and lead author of the study. “Approximately 2,000 tonnes of agarwood are traded annually, primarily from wild-sourced endangered species. Without urgent actions, these populations could face collapse.”

Using advanced network analysis of global trade data, the researchers mapped supply chains and identified key players driving the trade. Indonesia emerged as the largest exporter, supplying 60% of global trade, while Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia acted as critical transit hubs and exporters. Meanwhile, markets in the Middle East (including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia) and East Asia (including China and Japan) were pinpointed as primary destinations.

“Our findings underscore the need for a coordinated international response,” states Dr Huarong Zhang, senior conservation scientist at KFBG and corresponding author. “By targeting high-impact countries and implementing stricter trade control and documentation, we can disrupt illegal networks and protect remaining wild populations.”

The study also advocates for expanding CITES protections to include Aetoxylon sympetalum, an endangered species previously overlooked despite its significance in agarwood trade. Co-author Dr Feng Yang emphasises: “Including A. sympetalum in Appendix II would enable better monitoring and reduce exploitation.”

KFBG’s Head of Flora Conservation Department, Dr Stephan Gale, stresses the urgency of addressing both illegal and legal trade: “Sustainable management requires transparency, consumer education and policy enforcement. We must shift towards cultivated agarwood and incentivise ethical practices to safeguard these species and the ecosystems they support.”

This research coincides with the scaling up of global efforts to stem the tide of biodiversity loss. By exposing vulnerabilities in agarwood trade networks, the study provides policymakers and conservationists with actionable insights to prioritise enforcement, strengthen regulations and foster sustainable alternatives.

Note: The full study, Using global trade data to identify priorities for agarwood conservation and trade management, is available in Global Ecology and Conservation (DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2025.101611).