For six millennia, the scent of frankincense has signaled the sacred and the opulent. It was a treasure buried with the pharaohs of Egypt, a gift carried by magi to the manger in Bethlehem, and a staple of incense in the world’s great cathedrals. Yet today, this ancient aromatic resin is caught in the crossfire of a modern geopolitical struggle, as military operations in the Middle East trigger significant frankincense trade disruptions.
The resin, harvested from the hardy Boswellia trees of the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa, has historically been one of the region’s most enduring exports—predating the discovery of crude oil by thousands of years. Now, the same shipping lanes that once carried the resin to the empires of Rome and China are becoming bottlenecks of conflict, specifically around the strategically volatile Strait of Hormuz.
The hidden cost of the Strait of Hormuz blockade
While global headlines typically focus on the volatility of oil prices during Middle Eastern conflicts, the fallout often extends into the deepest, most specialized corners of the global supply chain. Recent data from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), which monitors business surveys across the United States, reveals that the conflict is hitting niche importers with surprising force.
One unidentified wholesaler reported that U.S.-Israel military operations against Iran have created “significant uncertainty” for Omani frankincense imports. The importer noted that threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, combined with rising war-risk surcharges, are driving up regional logistics costs, an impact that is being felt even in high-cost air freight.
Steve Miller, who oversees the ISM survey, suggests that this specific disruption is symbolic of the war’s broader, often unseen consequences. “When you gaze deep in supply chains, there are things that you don’t expect,” Miller said. He emphasized that for many companies, this is not a matter of simply finding a new supplier, as the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa are essentially the sole regions where these products can be sourced.
These supply challenges are further complicated by a layering of economic pressures. Many importers were already grappling with increased costs stemming from a separate trade war and tariffs; however, those financial concerns have now been eclipsed by the physical risks of a wartime blockade.
From sacred altars to modern skincare
The transition of frankincense from a religious necessity to a commercial commodity reflects a broader shift in global consumption. While it remains vital for liturgical utilize in churches and temples, the resin has found a massive modern market in the wellness and beauty industries. Today, thousands of tons are exported annually from Oman, Yemen, and the Horn of Africa to be used in health supplements, anti-aging creams, and high-end perfumes.
The historical scale of this trade is staggering. Anjanette DeCarlo, an adjunct professor at the University of Vermont, notes that the trade of frankincense is “well over 6,000 years old.” She explains that the resin was once traded via the Silk Route into China and brought into Europe, remaining widely used across the ancient world and continuing into the present day.
| Era | Primary Use | Primary Trade Routes |
|---|---|---|
| Ancient | Religious ritual, burial, medicine | Silk Route, Incense Route |
| Medieval | Church incense, royal perfumes | Maritime trade via Arabian ports |
| Modern | Skincare, wellness, perfumery | Global shipping, Air freight |
The fragility of the Boswellia tree
The current military conflict has highlighted a pre-existing vulnerability: the ecological fragility of the Boswellia tree. While some cultivation exists, the vast majority of the resin is tapped from trees growing in the wild, leaving the supply chain susceptible to deforestation and over-harvesting.
DeCarlo, who founded the Save Frankincense Initiative to promote sustainable harvesting, compares the process to the production of maple syrup. “You can only tap maple trees at a certain time of year in certain conditions so the trees stay healthy, and the same is true of frankincense,” she said.
The Save Frankincense Initiative works with companies and religious institutions to ensure the resin is collected without killing the trees. DeCarlo argues that the current disruptions serve as a wake-up call regarding the precariousness of global supply chains. “We really need people to be aware of frankincense and how long it’s been something that humanity has adored, loved, revered,” she said. She noted that while the trade has faced multitudes of disruptions throughout history, humans have always found a way to continue because the resin is so deeply important to cultural and spiritual life.
As the military situation around the Strait of Hormuz remains unstable, the industry awaits further clarity on shipping safety and the potential for renewed diplomatic channels to ease the blockade. The next critical checkpoint for importers will be the upcoming quarterly logistics reports, which will determine if air freight remains a viable, albeit expensive, alternative to maritime routes.
Do you use frankincense in your wellness or spiritual routine? Share your thoughts on the impact of global supply chain disruptions in the comments below.
