A Legacy of Excellence in the Agarwood Industry

Abd Majid Oud is a specialized producer and international supplier of agarwood and agarwood products. Since the early 1980s, our work has remained focused on one material and the many forms it can take.

The company was founded by Abd Majid, a Malaysian citizen whose family roots trace back to Assam, India, a region with a long and respected history of agarwood. His understanding of the material was shaped by family tradition, practical experience and years spent working within agarwood-producing regions.

From the beginning, his purpose was clear: to build a company capable of meeting the growing international demand for agarwood without losing control over its origin, production or quality.

Over the following decades, Abd Majid Oud developed its production capabilities across Southeast Asia. Facilities and working relationships were established in locations selected for their access to suitable species, raw materials and local knowledge. This allowed the company to work closer to the source and develop a deeper understanding of how each region influences the material.

Today, Abd Majid Oud supplies fragrance houses, manufacturers, perfumers, incense producers, artisans and specialized businesses across the Middle East, Europe and other international markets.

Although the company has grown, our area of focus has remained unchanged. Agarwood is not one category among many for us. It is our specialization.

Experience Built at the Source

Our knowledge comes from more than four decades of direct involvement in agarwood sourcing, preparation, production and distillation.

This experience was developed in plantations, forests, raw material markets and distillation facilities across agarwood-producing regions. It includes understanding the tree, resin formation, species, geographical origins, harvesting conditions, raw material selection and the production decisions that influence the final result.

Agarwood is not a uniform material. Its character can change considerably depending on the species, origin, age and condition of the wood, level of resin formation and method of preparation.

The production process is equally important. The size of the wood, soaking period, water quality, distillation equipment, pressure, temperature and duration can all influence the scent and physical character of the finished oil.

Two oils produced in the same country may smell completely different. Even when the same species is used, changes in the raw material or distillation process can lead to a noticeably different result.

Understanding these variables requires more than technical information. It requires direct experience with the material across multiple origins, production methods and batches. This practical understanding is at the center of our work.

From Raw Material to Finished Oil

We are directly involved in producing the agarwood oils we supply.

Our work begins with the selection and evaluation of the raw material. Before production, the wood is assessed according to its species, origin, resin content, condition and suitability for the intended extraction method.

Different raw materials require different approaches. There is no single distillation method that produces the best result in every situation.

We use hydro distillation, steam distillation and, for selected materials, CO₂ extraction. We also work with co-distillation when raw materials from different species or origins are distilled together to create a specific and naturally integrated profile.

Each method reveals the material differently.

Hydro distillation can produce deep, complex and traditional oud profiles. Steam distillation may reveal cleaner, smokier, greener or more direct characteristics, depending on the wood used. CO₂ extraction can retain heavier and less volatile components of the raw material.

The method is selected according to the nature of the wood and the olfactive direction we want to achieve. Our objective is not to force every raw material into the same profile. It is to understand its potential and select a process that expresses its character properly.

The Diversity of Agarwood Oil

Oud is often spoken about as though it has one standard scent. In reality, agarwood oil represents a broad and diverse family of natural materials.

Depending on its origin, species, raw material and production method, an oil may be woody, earthy, smoky, leathery, animalic, floral, fruity, balsamic, spicy, green or mineral. Some oils are powerful and immediately recognisable. Others are softer, more refined and easier to integrate into a fragrance composition.

This diversity is why we produce a wide selection of agarwood oils rather than presenting oud as one fixed profile.

Our collection includes oils from several agarwood-producing regions. It also covers different species and methods of extraction. Each oil is evaluated and presented according to its actual production and olfactive character.

This gives perfumers and fragrance professionals the opportunity to compare different expressions of agarwood and select the material that best supports their creative or technical requirements.

Complete information about our agarwood oils and other materials is available in the Products section of our website.

Purity and Integrity

Our position is simple: we only sell what we produce.

The agarwood oils we supply are offered in their original form. We do not add carrier oils, stretching agents or botanical materials to increase the quantity. We do not blend an oil after production to imitate a different origin or create a misleading identity.

Every material is supplied according to its genuine production history.

This control is possible because our involvement begins with the raw material and continues through production, evaluation and supply. It allows us to communicate more clearly about where an oil comes from, how it was produced and what gives it its particular character.

Purity, however, should not be judged through scent, colour or thickness alone. Natural agarwood oils can vary considerably in appearance, viscosity and olfactive profile. A dark or thick oil is not automatically older, purer or better. A lighter oil is not necessarily diluted or inferior.

Proper evaluation requires a wider understanding of the raw material, production method, analytical results and physical characteristics of the oil.

We believe customers should receive accurate information rather than simplified claims.

Quality and Consistency

Natural materials are shaped by biological and environmental variation. No two trees are identical, and every batch of raw material can show differences.

Our responsibility is to understand this natural variation and manage it carefully.

Each batch is evaluated before supply. We consider its raw material, origin, production conditions, olfactive profile, physical characteristics and consistency with the intended product.

Where required, analytical testing and supporting technical documents can also be provided. The exact documentation depends on the material, market and intended application.

For customers using an oil in an established formulation, we understand the importance of batch approval, consistency and future availability. We can support sample evaluation, batch selection, stock reservation and production planning for ongoing requirements.

Consistency in a natural material does not mean removing its identity. It means controlling the important variables while preserving the character that makes the material valuable.

Sustainability and Responsible Production

The future of agarwood depends on responsible cultivation, controlled trade and informed production.

A large proportion of the agarwood currently entering the international market comes from cultivated trees. Across Southeast Asia, plantations provide a renewable source of raw material while supporting farmers, distillers and local communities.

Plantation systems allow trees to be grown, inoculated and harvested through planned production cycles. When properly managed, this creates a more dependable supply and reduces pressure on naturally occurring agarwood populations.

We work with plantation-grown material across several origins and select raw materials according to the requirements of each product. We also seek to use suitable parts of the harvested material across different applications.

High-quality resinous wood may be selected for chips, while other grades and remaining wood can be used for oil production, powder or incense applications. This allows more of the harvested material to be used productively and reduces unnecessary waste.

Sustainability is not achieved through one statement or document. It requires continued attention to cultivation, sourcing, harvesting, production efficiency, traceability and legal trade.

Our approach is to make practical improvements throughout the process while protecting the long-term availability of agarwood.

CITES and International Compliance

International trade in agarwood requires careful regulatory management.

Aquilaria species are regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, commonly known as CITES. These species are generally listed under Appendix II, which means international trade is permitted but must be controlled and properly documented.

Abd Majid Oud works in compliance with applicable CITES requirements for the international movement of agarwood oil, chips, powder and other regulated materials.

Depending on the product, origin and destination, shipments may require export permits, import permits, certificates of origin or additional customs and regulatory documents.

Requirements can differ between countries and can also depend on the internal standards of the receiving company. We therefore work directly with purchasing, quality, customs and regulatory teams to determine what information is required for each transaction.

For professional applications, available documentation may include CITES permits, Safety Data Sheets, Technical Data Sheets, Certificates of Analysis, GC-MS reports, allergen declarations, IFRA-related information and other material-specific statements.

Not every document applies to every product. We provide documentation according to the nature of the material, its intended use and the applicable market requirements.

Who We Work With

Our customers range from large fragrance manufacturers and international perfume houses to independent perfumers, incense producers, artisans and specialised collectors.

Fragrance houses come to us for access to distinctive natural oud profiles and a wider understanding of how different species, origins and production methods influence the material.

Manufacturers require more than an attractive scent. They need dependable supply, approved batches, commercial quantities, documentation and clear communication. We understand these requirements and work closely with purchasing, creation, evaluation and regulatory teams throughout the process.

Independent perfumers and artisans may require smaller quantities but often seek an equally detailed understanding of the oil. We help them compare materials and choose according to their desired olfactive direction.

Incense and bakhoor manufacturers work with us for agarwood chips, powder and other materials suited to their production requirements.

Every relationship is handled with confidentiality and personal attention. From the first sample to regular commercial supply, our team remains closely involved.

Beyond Commercial Supply

Our work is not limited to producing and selling agarwood.

After many years in the industry, we recognized a significant gap between how oud is marketed and what the material is in reality.

Oud is often reduced to a few familiar descriptions such as dark, rare, luxurious or animalic. These words may describe one aspect of the experience, but they do not explain the material itself.

To understand agarwood properly, it is necessary to understand the tree, resin formation, species, origin, raw material, extraction method and production conditions. It is also necessary to smell oils from different regions and compare them directly.

We believe that sharing this knowledge is part of our responsibility as a producer.

Our educational work is based on practical production experience. It is not designed to promote one oil as the best. Its purpose is to help people recognize the differences and make better-informed decisions when evaluating or using agarwood.

Education Through the Material

Our workshops and professional sessions take participants from the tree to the finished oil.

We explain how agarwood resin forms, how raw materials are selected and how preparation and extraction influence the final scent. Participants are introduced to different species, geographical origins and production methods.

Whenever possible, the discussion is supported by a broad selection of oils. Smelling the materials side by side allows participants to experience the diversity of agarwood directly.

They can compare hydro-distilled and steam-distilled oils, as well as selected co-distillations and other forms of extraction. They can study the differences between woody, leathery, smoky, animalic, earthy, floral, fruity and balsamic profiles.

The purpose is not to tell participants which oil they should prefer. There is no single oud oil that is best for every perfume or application.

The purpose is to give them enough knowledge and direct experience to understand which material is most suitable for their own work.

Working With Students and Professionals

We have shared our experience with perfumery students, professional perfumers, evaluators, fragrance manufacturers, purchasing teams and luxury management students.

Our educational sessions have included programmes and collaborations with institutions such as the Grasse Institute of Perfumery, ISIPCA, the Italian Perfumery Institute and SKEMA Business School. We have also delivered dedicated presentations and material training for fragrance company teams.

Each audience approaches agarwood differently.

Students may need a clear introduction to the relationship between the tree, resin and finished oil. Perfumers are often more interested in olfactive profiles, formulation and the effect of different production methods. Purchasing and regulatory teams may focus on origin, traceability, supply, consistency and CITES requirements.

We adapt the depth and direction of every session while keeping the information practical and connected to real materials.

These discussions also help us learn. The questions raised by students and professionals show where confusion remains and which subjects require clearer explanation. Knowledge sharing is therefore a continuing exchange between producers and the fragrance community.

Beyond the Scent of Agarwood Oil

Our educational commitment led to the publication of Beyond the Scent of Agarwood Oil by Khalid Iqbal of Abd Majid Oud.

The book developed from years of conversations with perfumers, customers and students. Many of the same questions appeared repeatedly.

What is agarwood? How does resin form? Why do oils from different regions smell so different? How does distillation affect the profile? How can purity and authenticity be evaluated? What role does oud play in modern perfumery?

The book brings these subjects together in one practical reference. It covers the tree, resin formation, sourcing, raw materials, production, distillation, olfactive diversity, authenticity, analytical testing, sustainability and the use of agarwood oil in perfumery.

It also includes perspectives from perfumers and fragrance professionals who have worked with oud in different ways. These contributions connect knowledge from the source with the experience of the people who use agarwood in fragrance creation.

The purpose of the book is not to establish one fixed opinion about oud. It is to give readers a clearer foundation from which they can examine the material and develop their own understanding.

Tradition, Knowledge and Progress

Abd Majid Oud was built on experience passed down through generations, but tradition does not mean remaining unchanged.

The agarwood industry continues to develop. Plantation methods are improving. Production equipment is evolving. Analytical testing is becoming more important. Perfumers are exploring oud in new creative directions, and customers expect greater transparency regarding origin, purity, sustainability and compliance.

We respect traditional knowledge while continuing to improve the way agarwood is produced, evaluated, documented and presented.

Our contribution is based on more than four decades of direct work at the source and continuous exchange with the international fragrance community.

We do not claim that every question about agarwood has already been answered. It is a complex natural material, and there is always more to observe, study and understand.

What we can offer is genuine experience, direct production involvement and an honest commitment to the material.

For us, the future of agarwood depends not only on producing and supplying it. It also depends on protecting its integrity, using it responsibly and helping people understand it properly.

That is the work Abd Majid Oud has been doing since the early 1980s, and it remains the foundation of everything we do today.