The Fragrance Economy

An overview of India's fragrance industries, from traditional attars and incense to deodorants and industrial flavours, and why scents are a big business.

Fragrance is a big business in India.

Traditional

Attar (natural perfume oils) from Kannauj.
Agarbatti (incense sticks).
Sandalwood products.

Modern

Deodorants and perfumes.
Flavours and fragrances for food, soaps and detergents.

Demand

Religious use: incense in homes and temples.
Personal care growth.

Exports

India exports agarbatti, essential oils and fragrance ingredients.

Employment

Incense rolling and flower farming employ many women in rural areas.

The morning puja

Millions of homes light agarbatti each morning, supporting a large industry.

Thinking perfume is only a luxury

Incense and fragrances are everyday goods.

Key takeaways

Fragrance ranges from attar to deodorants.
Religious use drives incense demand.
India exports incense and oils.
Women do much rural fragrance work.