Binh Nghia Agarwood Co., Ltd

The Difference Between Wild Agarwood and Cultivated Agarwood — and Why Wild Agarwood Keeps Getting More Expensive

If you’re torn between wild agarwood and cultivated agarwood, this article clarifies the differences between the two so you can make an easier choice for everyday use.

What is wild agarwood?

Wild agarwood is the natural resinous wood formed in wild-growing Aquilaria trees in mountain forests, without human intervention in the resin-forming process. It develops when the tree is injured (by insects, disease, etc.); the tree then secretes resin to seal the wound, and that resin permeates the wood to become agarwood. Wild agarwood carries a richer, more refined aroma than farmed agarwood and is more valuable due to its rarity.

What is cultivated agarwood?

These are agarwood trees grown by people from seeds of wild agarwood and developed into agarwood farms. Humans induce bacteria and insects to enter the tree so it begins producing the waxy resin—that resin is agarwood. There are several ways to induce the tree:

Some people make axe cuts.
Some hammer nails into the trunk.
Some drill holes with a machine and then leave nature to act—this is the best and most natural method.

How do wild and cultivated agarwood differ?

1) Tree age & formation time

Wild agarwood: resin accumulates over many years, even decades.

Cultivated agarwood: a much shorter lifespan than wild trees, allowing producers to control harvest timing. Typically, cultivated trees are about 15 to 30 years old.

2) Resin & Shape

Wild agarwood: pieces are uneven and often heavier.
Cultivated agarwood: pieces are uniform and typically lighter than wild agarwood.

3) Scent experience

Wild agarwood: a broad and deep scent spectrum with clear transitions and a lingering finish.

Cultivated agarwood: a “clean,” approachable scent that is consistent across batches.

4) Intended uses

Both types can be used for scenting the home, welcoming guests, and as premium gifts. However, cultivated agarwood is a better fit for merchants thanks to its stability in scent, quality, and volume.

5) Value & price

Wild agarwood: high price with an upward trend driven by scarcity.
Cultivated agarwood: more affordable, budget-friendly.

Why is wild agarwood becoming more expensive?

Natural scarcity

The supply of wild agarwood is increasingly limited. Regeneration in the forest cannot keep up with demand from collectors and spiritual use, putting upward pressure on prices.

Difficult to harvest

Remote mountain terrain, challenging transport, high labor costs, and risks during searching and harvesting all raise input costs—and not every expedition yields results.

Higher scent quality

Because the resin builds up over many years, wild agarwood usually has more resin and a deeper, more layered scent. The aroma opens, develops, and lingers longer—so collectors value it highly, which pushes prices up.

Which should you choose for your needs?

When to choose wild agarwood?

Choose wild agarwood if you prioritize a mature, multi-layered scent profile, value uniqueness and collectability, or need a prestigious gift or a refined atmosphere for meditation.

When to choose cultivated agarwood?

Choose cultivated agarwood if you need consistent batches for business, want to optimize costs while keeping a clean, pleasant scent, or produce at scale and require consistent technical specifications.

Frequently asked questions

Is there high-quality cultivated agarwood?

Yes. Many cultivated batches are clean and well processed, offering a clear, easy-to-enjoy scent that suits daily burning and blending.

Is wild agarwood always “better-smelling” than cultivated agarwood?

Not absolutely. Scent depends on region, resin age, processing, and personal taste. That said, wild agarwood often offers a deeper and wider scent spectrum with a longer finish.

Why do pieces look different even under the same name?

With wild agarwood, each tree—and each resin-forming spot in the forest—is different, so appearance and resin veins are not uniform. That variability is part of the appeal of natural agarwood.

Contact for Agarwood Consultation: BINH NGHIA AGARWOOD CO., LTD
Website: https://agarwood.vn/
Email: sales@agarwood.vn
Hotline: +84.77.8888.677