El lado oscuro de los perfumes de algunas de las grandes marcas de lujo | Investigación BBC

Summary

The perfume industry, valued at around 50 billion dollars, heavily relies on jasmine, with half of the global supply coming from Egypt, particularly Al Gharbia. A BBC team uncovered in 2023 that child labor is part of the supply chain for luxury perfume brands. Jasmine is harvested at night, with workers like Heba and her children earning $1.50 for their efforts, a third of which goes to landowners. The jasmine is then sent to factories, processed, and sold to international perfume companies. A few conglomerates control the entire supply chain, claiming ethical sourcing practices, despite workers like Basmalla facing health issues.

Takeaways

• 💰 The perfume industry is estimated to be worth around 50 billion dollars.
• 🌺 Jasmine is used in hundreds of perfumes from leading industry brands.
• 🌍 Approximately half of the world's jasmine supply is produced in Egypt.
• 📍 Al Gharbia is the center of Egypt's jasmine trade.
• 🎥 BBC filmed in this region during the summer of 2023, revealing that child labor is part of the supply chain for some luxury perfume brands.
• 🌙 Jasmine flowers bloom after sunset and are picked during the night.
• 💰 Heba and her children earn fifty dollars for their night work.
• 💸 A third of the earnings goes to the owner of the land where the jasmine is grown.
• 🚚 Jasmine is transported to factories through collection points.
• 🌿 Jasmine oil is extracted and then sold to international perfume companies.
• 🏢 A few conglomerates control the entire supply chain and ensure their supply practices are ethical.
• 👓 A Basmalla's eyes have started to hurt, prompting a visit to an optometrist.

Q & A

What is the estimated value of the perfume industry?

The perfume industry is estimated to be worth around 50 billion dollars.

What role does jasmine play in the perfume industry?

Jasmine is used in hundreds of perfumes from major industry brands.

How much of the global jasmine supply is produced in Egypt?

Approximately half of the world's jasmine supply is produced in Egypt.

What is the significance of Al Gharbia in the jasmine trade?

Al Gharbia is the center of Egypt's jasmine trade.

What was revealed by the BBC team's filming in the summer of 2023?

The BBC team's filming revealed that child labor is part of the supply chain for some luxury perfume brands.

When does jasmine bloom and when is it harvested?

Jasmine blooms after sunset and is harvested during the night.

How much do Heba and her children earn for their night work?

Heba and her children earn fifty dollars for their night work.

What portion of the earnings goes to the landowner where jasmine is cultivated?

A third of the earnings is designated for the owner of the land where the jasmine is grown.

How is jasmine transported to factories?

Jasmine is sent to factories through collection points.

What happens to the jasmine once it reaches the factories?

The jasmine oil is extracted from the flowers and then sold to international perfume companies.

Who controls the entire supply chain of jasmine?

A few conglomerates control the entire supply chain of jasmine.

What do these conglomerates claim about their supply practices?

These conglomerates ensure that their supply practices are ethical.

Why did Basmalla visit an optometrist?

Basmalla's eyes started to hurt, prompting a visit to an optometrist.