Iran, historically dependent on hydrocarbons, is exploring alternative revenue streams that capitalize on its rich biodiversity and traditional knowledge. One such opportunity lies in medicinal and aromatic plants, whose global demand is growing alongside consumer preferences for natural ingredients.
Within this context, the case of barijeh—a resin-producing plant native to northeastern Iran—sheds light on rural livelihoods, sustainable land use, and export market.
Traditionally used in Persian medicine for its anti-inflammatory properties, the barijeh plant has become a target for international buyers not for its therapeutic benefits but for its aromatic potential.
Its resin, painstakingly collected from mature roots during late spring, is prized for its role as a natural fixative, an ingredient that stabilizes and extends fragrance duration.
While small in volume, Barijeh’s gum resin enjoys premium prices in luxury fragrance markets in Europe, illustrating how a specialized agricultural product can contribute meaningfully to regional development and export diversification.
Essential oils extracted from barijeh resin can sell for thousands of dollars per liter, with top-quality Iranian oil commanding a premium due to its chemical composition.
The global markets for essential oils and natural resins are characterized by strong growth, driven by increasing consumer demand for natural and organic products, particularly in the cosmetics, natural healing practices, and food and beverage industries.
Several factors contribute to this trend, including rising awareness of the health benefits associated with these products and a shift towards sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives.
Barijeh’s resin fits this niche due to its unique chemical properties and traditional harvesting methods that align with the organic product trends dominating high-end perfumery.
This places barijeh among a select group of natural fixatives that fragrance producers in Paris and Milan covet for enhancing scent longevity.
Barijeh resin’s journey to European perfume labs begins with a crescent-shaped incision in the plant’s root crown, from which a milky sap oozes and dries into a golden gum over several days.
After harvest, the resin is cleaned, sorted, and sent to distillation units in cities such as Mashhad and Tehran, where it is processed into high-purity essential oil for export.
The economic logic underpinning barijeh’s value is its rarity and biological production constraints. Unlike bulk agricultural products, barijeh cannot be rapidly expanded or industrialized without risking depletion and loss of quality, thus maintaining its scarcity premium.
Barijeh’s slow growth cycle—requiring 4 to 5 years before resin can be harvested—forces a patient investment mindset among farmers. This time delay limits speculative planting but promotes sustainable management, since harvesting too early or too much can harm plant populations and reduce future yields.
Harvesting techniques, which involve precise incisions into the plant’s root collar to extract the resin, require skill and care. The harvested resin is then dried and processed manually, maintaining its quality but limiting scale. Such artisanal methods create natural barriers to market entry but protect product integrity.
Farmers in North Khorasan, notably in regions such as Shirvan and Esfarayen, increasingly engage in cultivating barijeh in controlled plots, moving from unsustainable wild harvesting to managed production. This shift is vital for maintaining long-term supply and supporting the local economies dependent on the crop.
According to figures from Iran’s Ministry of Agriculture, North Khorasan produces hundreds of kilograms of barijeh resin each year, a portion of which is now exported through intermediaries to France and Italy. The province has over 1,285 hectares under cultivation for medicinal plants, including barijeh, yielding a total of 1,920 tonnes annually.
Despite clear export demand and high margins, Barijeh’s value chain suffers from fragmentation and limited institutional support. Most raw resin is exported with minimal value addition, reducing potential income for producers.
Facilities for essential oil extraction and refinement exist primarily in major urban centers such as Mashhad and Tehran, geographically and operationally distant from production zones
A coordinated policy strategy, combining agricultural extension services, investment in processing infrastructure, and marketing support, could significantly boost the sector’s productivity and profitability.
Implementing geographic indication certifications and traceability systems would further distinguish Iranian Barijeh in international markets, securing premium prices and minimizing the risk of counterfeiting.
Barijeh cultivation aligns with broader environmental objectives by promoting land use in marginal, drought-prone areas unsuitable for intensive agriculture. Its deep root systems reduce soil erosion, stabilize slopes, and maintain soil fertility without synthetic inputs.
Socially, Barijeh supports diversified rural livelihoods. Harvesting and post-harvest processing create seasonal employment opportunities, particularly important in regions facing youth outmigration and limited industrial jobs.
Women’s participation in cleaning and packaging operations, though often informal, represents an untapped avenue for empowerment and income diversification.
Barijeh exemplifies how Iran’s non-oil export strategy can leverage endemic biodiversity and traditional knowledge systems. By focusing on niche, high-value agricultural products, the country can build more resilient rural economies and reduce dependence on volatile commodity markets.
Press TV