WE LEARNED ABOUT LOBAN AGARBATTI BUSINESS FROM NAGPUR EXPO: MOHAMMAD TALIB
Mohammad Talib, the owner of D Royal Agarbatti Company (Nagpur), in an exclusive interview with Sugandh India shared that his business has operated since 2009. Initially, the company focused on producing black agarbatti for the loose market. However, as demand for black agarbatti declined, the company ceased production.
In 2012, Talib shifted focus to manufacturing white, and metallic agarbatti due to their growing market demand. Recognising the emerging trend for loban agarbatti, the company entered production afterparticipating in a Nagpur expo dedicated to the product. The expo offered valuable insights into thepotential of Loban Agarbatti, prompting the company to expand its offerings.
D Royal Agarbatti Company formally registered its operations in 2013, gaining widespread appreciation for its products. Talib highlighted the importance ofexpos, confirming plans to participate in the upcoming Sugandh India expo in Mumbai.
“He emphasised that their brand specialises in loban agarbatti, offering 18 to 20 fragrances and product ranges priced between ₹70 and ₹180 per kilogram for loban agarbatti and dhoop sticks. Their flagship product, Bullet Tukda(piece),is a 1½ to 2-inch piece of dry dhoop, also known as Dhoop Stick or Sambrani Dhoop, which enjoys strong custom erappreciation. Additionally, the company produces agarbatti insizes ranging from 4 to 6 inches.”
Mohammad Talib shared that DRoyal is their brand. He and his brothers Mohammad Taufiq, and Mohammad Danish manage it together. Talib explained that Danish runs the manufacturing side of the business. His older brother manages the dhoop stick business, and Talib is responsible for marketing. They all work under one brand. He emphasised that their brand specialises in loban agarbatti, offering 18 to 20 fragrances and product ranges priced between ₹70 and ₹180 per kilogram for loban agarbatti and dhoop sticks.
Their flag ship product, Bullet Tukda(piece), is a1½ to 2-inch piece of dry dhoop, also known as Dhoop Stick or Sambrani Dhoop, which enjoys strong customer appreciation. Additionally, the company produces agarbatti in sizes ranging from 4 to 6 inches. To enhance production efficiency,they installed a hydraulic machine in 2022, used in the manufacturing of bamboo-less incense products.
Mohammad Talib revealed that their products are distributed nation wide, including in Gujarat, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai,and Hyderabad. He noted that before 2008, scented agarbatti dominated the market, and loban production was virtually non-existent.
However, Amravati is famous for loban production and has been manufacturing it for along time. Over time, members of the Kannauj community in the region began producing Loban based products, leveraging their expertise and formulas. This shift contributed to Nagpur’s emergence as a significant hub for loban production, while Amravati’s industry continued to thrive.
Talib explained that Loban production initially stemmed from attar (perfume) manufacturers and involved both natural and chemical raw materials. Addressing challenges in the agarbatti industry, he identified maintaining quality as the primary concern. “If we are charging customers, we must deliver high-quality products.
This commitment is why we have retained long-standing customers,” he said. Talib expressed optimism about the industry’s future, stressing that hard work remains the key to success, as results are directly proportional to effort.
