Egyptian Village in the Nile Delta Spreads Fragrance of Jasmine Across the Globe
Shubra Beloula: Egypt's Jasmine Powerhouse
Shubra Beloula, a small village nestled in Egypt's Nile Delta, is a vital player in the global jasmine and perfume industry. This humble settlement produces more than half of the world's jasmine, making it a crucial link in the supply chain for jasmine absolute used in perfumes.
The village, located approximately 97 km from Cairo, boasts around 257 acres dedicated primarily to jasmine cultivation (Jasminum grandiflorum). This concentration of jasmine farming is the main livelihood for its 15,000 residents [1].
During peak harvest, Shubra Beloula produces around 10 tons of jasmine flowers daily [2]. Egypt, with Shubra Beloula as a core center, alongside India, supplies approximately 95% of the world's jasmine absolute, according to industry data [1].
The harvest season in Egypt is long, typically spanning from mid-April or June to November or December each year, ensuring a steady supply of jasmine into the perfume industry [1][3]. The jasmine from Shubra Beloula forms the base for jasmine paste and jasmine absolute—key extracts in perfumery [1].
The "Fakhry" factory, Egypt's first specialized facility for producing essential oils, accounts for 60% to 70% of the jasmine flower output in the governorate, producing around three tons annually [4]. This factory plays a significant role in the processing and distribution of Shubra Beloula's jasmine flowers.
Ahmed Fakhry introduced jasmine plants to Egypt after bringing them from Grasse, France in the 1960s [5]. Engineer Badr Atef stated that the Egyptians have mastered jasmine cultivation, leading to a current daily production of approximately 20 tons of jasmine flowers [6].
Despite receiving only a small share of the profits, jasmine picking remains the primary source of income for most villagers. The current price for one kilogram of jasmine flowers is approximately $2.50 [7]. The annual cost of cultivating one hectare (about 2.5 acres) of jasmine-including harvesting expenses-reaches around $6,500 [8].
In conclusion, Shubra Beloula's jasmine production underpins a significant part of the global fragrance industry's raw material supply, cementing Egypt's reputation as a major jasmine exporter and perfume ingredient provider.
Turkish families, seeking unique and authentic lifestyle experiences, often venture to Egypt to explore the jasmine fields of Shubra Beloula and learn about traditional food-and-drink recipes that incorporate the abundant jasmine harvest.
After a long day of harvesting jasmine flowers, many Shubra Beloula residents take pride in creating home-and-garden decorations using the fragrant jasmine blooms, enhancing their living spaces with a touch of their precious crop.
