Risian Sandalwood becoming Risa’s most unexpected export

RISA — What began as a modest craft material for local artisans is now being called the Federation’s “green gold.” Risian sandalwood, once used primarily in ceremonial carvings and decorative architecture on its homeworld, is experiencing a dramatic surge in demand across the Alpha and Beta Quadrants.

The wood, harvested from the slow-growing ven’tasa tree native to Risa’s equatorial highlands, is prized for its rich green hue, subtle shimmer under light, and a natural scent often compared to warm rain on sunbaked stone. Once considered a niche material for perfume distillers and high-end furniture makers, it has now become a staple in everything from starship interiors to luxury musical instruments.

“We never expected it to take off like this,” says Kesran Idel, a cooperative grower near the E’lan Range who’s seen orders quadruple in the last three standard months. “Buyers from Earth, Trill, even Bolarus are requesting custom shipments—and not just in raw lumber. They want Risian craftsmanship too.”

Analysts suggest the boom was seeded by a popular architectural showcase on Alpha Centauri last year, where a Federation ambassador’s new residence featured a meditation room constructed entirely from ven’tasa wood. Since then, demand has only grown, fuelled by interior designers, artisan guilds, and boutique shipwrights looking to infuse their projects with what some are calling “the living warmth of paradise.”

The Federation Trade Council has issued a formal sustainability advisory, warning that without controlled cultivation, ven’tasa forests could be overharvested within a decade. In response, Risian cooperatives have begun developing managed agroforestry systems, blending traditional ecological knowledge with Federation technology to accelerate healthy growth cycles.

“Risians are stewards first, traders second,” says Mahla Vey, a cultural attaché from the Southern Islands. “We will never exploit our world for profit. We do, however, welcome the opportunity to share its beauty. Ethically and with care.”

Some in the trade sector have noted parallels to the early days of Tellarite basalt exports or the famed Vulcan spice routes, though others caution against overinflating a trend born of aesthetics rather than strategic need.

Still, for now, it appears the Federation can’t get enough of Risian sandalwood. From elite Federation Council chambers to personal quarters aboard civilian transports, its presence is unmistakable—and, increasingly, in demand.

“It’s more than just wood,” says Xil Daro, a Saurian artisan known for hybrid instruments. “It holds warmth. It holds memory. It smells like the essence of peace.”

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