Madagascar: Vanilla, Development

"The vanilla campaign is only just beginning, but already we can say that it goes smoothly. At startup, the kilogram of green vanilla is MGA 5000, it was the last price charged during the previous campaign (2248 MGA = U.S. $). This price will gradually increase until the end of the campaign of green vanilla in September, "said one trader involved in the sector. At this rate, the price of this annuity product that has become the country will surpass the goals of price fixing in 2009, 5,000 Ariary per kilo from farmers, but that has never been followed by most exports.

Better quality

The price increase also is allied to improving the quality of the pods. The delayed opening of the campaign in different parts of production is the main cause. "The decision to delay the opening of the campaign of vanilla, during the national workshop held in June, has done things. It helped to have better quality beans. The production is good, "says the operator. In 2011, the start date of campaign had been set to June 15 in coastal areas, and July 15 in the mountains and plateaus. This year, they are shown respectively on 10 July and 10 August.

Externally, Malagasy traders appear optimistic. "While vanilla production is declining in some competing countries, ours is better than last year," said a manager of an export company. According to estimates, the quantity exported is estimated at between 1 600 to 1 700 tons, against 1,500 tons in 2011.

Madagascar will supply more foreign markets, representing 80 to 90% of global need that now stands at 2,300 tons, against 70% previously.