A Village in Egypt Produces More than 50% of World Jasmine (Photos)

August 1, 2023
WoEgypt

About 90 kilometers away from Cairo, Egypt, the scent of jasmine fills the air of the village of Shubra Baloula. This village in the governorate of Gharbeya produces more than 50% of the jasmine in the world.

Jasmine harvesting starts in June and extends until November. The flowers are picked daily from midnight until 8 am; Then they are delivered to the collection center, or what is known as the compound, which is the mediator between the farmers and the factory.

In the factory, jasmine is processed into a paste, exported as raw material where jasmine essential oil is extracted for use in medical and aromatic industries.

Jasmine flowers are bought at EGP 30 per kilogram, a very low price compared to its global price. Farmers collect between 3 to 5 kilograms per day, in a period of no less than 12 hours of continuous work. Picking jasmines is a very tough job as the flowers are picked by hand.

All the residents of the village of Shubra Baloula, including the children, work in collecting the jasmine and its industry. The jasmine harvest is the only source of income for the 50,000 residents of the village.