Perfume producers in Egypt battle climate challenges independently
In the heart of Egypt, a multi-million dollar export thrives - the production of jasmine concrete, a valuable base for designer fragrances. However, this industry, which accounts for nearly half of the world's jasmine concrete, is under threat due to a combination of climate change, economic instability, and labour concerns.
Jasmine farming is a delicate process. A tonne of flowers yields only 2-3 kilograms of concrete and less than half that in pure essential oil. The region's jasmine is highly sensitive to heat and humidity, and higher temperatures can disrupt flowering, weaken oil concentration, and reduce yield. This sensitivity is evident in the Nile Delta, which is vulnerable to the rising Mediterranean water levels, affecting soil salinity and posing a threat to jasmine farmers.
The heat is also affecting the strength of the jasmine's scent, reducing the value of the oil extracted. This is a significant issue as global brands charge up to $6,000 per kilogram of jasmine absolute, while Egyptian pickers earn just 105 Egyptian pounds ($2) per kilogram.
Climate change is not the only challenge facing the jasmine industry. Child labour remains widespread in Egypt, with 4.2 million children working in agriculture, industry, and services. In villages like Shubra Balula, a village near Cairo, families like Sayed's are feeling the strain. Sayed, a worker in Shubra Balula, has spent nearly a decade working in the jasmine fields.
The heat has caused Sayed's daily jasmine harvest to drop from six kilograms to two or three in the past two years. With yields shrinking, some families are leaving the trade entirely, and those that stay are working longer hours. Last June, pickers staged a rare strike, demanding 150 pounds per kilogram, but only received an increase of 10 pounds.
The International Energy Agency's 2023 report found that Egypt's temperature rose 0.38C per decade (2000-2020), outpacing the global average. This rise in temperature, coupled with the economic instability caused by Egypt's currency losing more than two-thirds of its value since 2022, is leaving families like Sayed's struggling.
The search results do not provide information about which companies control the few private jasmine processors in Egypt or their price-setting power, nor about the extent of government oversight on these prices. However, it is clear that the jasmine industry, which has sustained thousands of families in the region for generations, is at risk.
The future of villages like Shubra Balula may be uncertain, with the combined effects of climate change, economic instability, and the strain on the jasmine industry potentially leading to their loss of viability. The legacy of the jasmine industry, a key part of Egypt's cultural and economic heritage, hangs in the balance.
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