Ethiopia's myrrh trees, vital for luxury perfumes and local incomes, face severe threat from historic drought

Myrrh, a tree resin from the Horn of Africa, is a key ingredient in luxury perfumes and a source of income for many in Ethiopia. However, a historic drought in the Somali region of Ethiopia is severely threatening the Commiphora myrrha trees. The lack of water and grazing livestock are endangering the trees, which once formed dense forests. Researchers, supported by the American Herbal Products Association, visited the region to explore ways for harvesters to receive more direct profits, bypassing middlemen in the supply chain. While myrrh is hand-harvested and fetches high prices in global markets, local collectors earn as little as $3.50 to $10 per kilogram. Ethiopia does not collect taxes on myrrh, with most of it being purchased by traders from neighboring Somalia. The drought has led to adult trees producing less resin and fewer young trees surviving, with many seedlings uprooted by children grazing livestock. Local elders express deep concern about the declining myrrh tree population. Villagers are struggling to find water for themselves and their livestock, with some traveling up to 200 kilometers to Sanqotor village for a rare well. The poorest residents depend solely on myrrh harvesting for survival. Experts attribute the changing climate to the severity of the drought, which has seen annual rains fail for several years, interrupted by devastating flooding in 2023.