Guwahati airport approved as agarwood export point, relief for Assam farmers: Goyal
Synopsis
The Centre has unlocked a direct air-export corridor for Assam's most prized agricultural commodity — agarwood — by designating Guwahati's international airport as an official export point. The move, backed by over 81% of India's agarwood resources sitting in Assam and a freshly completed 123 kg shipment to Dubai, could transform what is still a nascent export sector into a significant Northeast India trade story.
Key Takeaways
The Centre approved Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport, Guwahati as a designated export point for agarwood chips and agarwood oil on 31 October 2026 .
The approval was granted at the request of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma , according to Union Minister Piyush Goyal .
Assam holds approximately 81% of India's total agarwood resources and the industry supports over 50,000 farmers and workers .
Assam exported 123 kg of agarwood chips to Dubai in October, its first such recorded international consignment.
Agarwood is used in perfumes, incense, and essential oils and commands premium prices in Gulf, East Asian, and European markets.
The Centre has approved Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport, Guwahati, as a designated export point for agarwood chips and agarwood oil, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced on Saturday, 31 October 2026. The decision is expected to significantly ease logistics for farmers, producers, and exporters in Assam, which accounts for roughly 81% of India's agarwood resources.
What the Approval Means
Until now, agarwood exporters in the Northeast lacked a dedicated, locally accessible air-cargo exit point for the commodity, forcing longer and costlier routing through distant airports. The Guwahati gateway directly removes that bottleneck. Goyal described the development as 'a massive logistical leap not only for Assam but also for the North East, bringing potential markets closer to home.'
How It Came About
The approval was granted at the request of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, according to Goyal. In a post on X, the minister wrote: 'BIG NEWS FOR ASSAM! At the request of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Modi Government has approved Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport, Guwahati as the export point for Agarwood chips and Agarwood oil.'
Context: A Growing Export Push
The announcement follows Assam's first recorded export of 123 kg of agarwood chips to Dubai in October, a shipment that the state government described as a landmark for the sector. Chief Minister Sarma had called that consignment 'a significant step towards expanding the international market' for what he termed Assam's 'fragrant heritage.' The agarwood industry in the state supports more than 50,000 farmers and workers, according to Sarma's office.
What Is Agarwood and Why It Matters
Agarwood is a fragrant resinous wood that forms inside trees of the genus Aquilaria when they become infected with a specific mould. The product is highly prized globally for use in perfumes, incense, essential oils, and traditional fragrance preparations, commanding premium prices in Gulf, East Asian, and European markets. Assam's dominance — roughly 81% of India's total agarwood stock — positions the state as a natural hub for the country's exports of the commodity.
What Comes Next
With dedicated air-export infrastructure now in place at Guwahati, industry stakeholders are expected to scale up production and outreach to international buyers. The Centre's move also signals a broader intent to integrate Northeast India's niche agricultural produce into global supply chains. Analysts note that ease of export access could attract further investment into cultivation and value-added processing of agarwood in the region.
Point of View
But the real test is whether it translates into sustained volume and better farmgate prices for the 50,000-plus growers in Assam. A single 123 kg shipment to Dubai is a proof-of-concept, not a trade corridor. The Northeast has seen infrastructure approvals before that stalled at implementation — what is different this time is the political alignment between the Centre and the state government. But without a complementary push on certification, value-added processing, and market access agreements in Gulf and East Asian markets, the logistical leap risks being underutilised.
NationPress
31 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Guwahati airport been approved as an agarwood export point?
The Centre approved Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport, Guwahati, as a designated export point for agarwood chips and oil to ease logistics for Assam's farmers and exporters, who previously lacked a convenient air-cargo exit for the commodity. The move was made at the request of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
What is agarwood and why is it valuable?
Agarwood is a fragrant resinous wood formed inside Aquilaria trees when infected by a specific mould. It is highly prized globally for use in perfumes, incense, and essential oils, and commands premium prices in Gulf, East Asian, and European markets.
How significant is Assam's role in India's agarwood sector?
Assam accounts for approximately 81% of India's total agarwood resources, making it the country's dominant producer. The industry supports more than 50,000 farmers and workers in the state.
Has Assam exported agarwood before?
Yes. In October 2026, Assam exported 123 kg of agarwood chips to Dubai — a shipment the state government described as a landmark step toward expanding the international market for the product.
What impact will the Guwahati export point have on the Northeast?
Union Minister Piyush Goyal described the approval as 'a massive logistical leap not only for Assam but also for the North East, bringing potential markets closer to home.' It is expected to reduce export costs and encourage further investment in agarwood cultivation and processing across the region.
