Frankincense
Three frankincense trees grow in Somaliland. Beeyo and Maydi are among the most sought-after frankincense resins in the world; black frankincense is rarer. Here is how they compare, so you can choose the right resin for your use.
| Type | Species | Origin | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beeyo | Boswellia carterii | Mountains of northern Somaliland: Sanaag, Sahil and Togdheer | Core supply |
| Maydi | Boswellia frereana | Limestone cliffs and slopes of eastern Somaliland and northern Somalia | Core supply |
| Black frankincense | Boswellia neglecta | Somaliland and the wider Horn of Africa (Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya) | Limited · on request |
Boswellia carterii
The best-known Somali frankincense and the main source of frankincense essential oil worldwide. Many botanists now treat it as the same species as Omani Boswellia sacra.
Boswellia frereana
Found almost only in the Somali region. Prized in the Gulf and by the Coptic church, and increasingly asked for by European perfumers.
Boswellia neglecta
Grows across the Horn of Africa, with its range reaching Somaliland. Darker resin with a distinct scent, traded in smaller volumes than Beeyo or Maydi.
Grades
Grade names and sizes vary between traders. We agree the specification with you in writing and send photos and samples of the actual lot before you order.
| Grade | What it looks like | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Superior / large tears | Largest, clean, light-coloured tears | Premium retail, gifts, top incense |
| Grade 1 | Large to medium tears, light colour, very clean | Fine incense, retail, distillation |
| Grade 2 | Medium tears, slightly darker, clean | Incense and bakhoor blends, distillation |
| Grade 3 / pieces | Smaller tears and broken pieces | Distillation, blending |
| Siftings | Small pieces and powder left after grading | Distillation, extraction, powdered incense |
Harvest
Harvesters make small cuts in the bark. The tree seals each cut with milky resin, which hardens into tears over two to three weeks before it is collected. Good practice limits the number of cuts and rounds per season and rests each tree, so it keeps producing for years. We buy from harvesters who follow these limits.
We only list species confirmed to grow in Somaliland. Sources: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Boswellia species database; Boswellia frereana (Wikipedia); Frankincense (Wikipedia).
Tell us what you make, whether that's oil, incense, perfume or retail packs, and we'll suggest a type and grade and send samples to compare.
