A workshop destined to boost vanilla production

A workshop focusing on vanilla production is being held today in the District of Mananara Nord. With the presence of all stakeholders, including local authorities, collectors, exporters and farmers, the aim of the workshop is to improve the quality of vanilla and to look for other new markets. In a word, the workshop aims for a better competitiveness of Madagascar’s vanilla on the international market.

According to recent statistics, vanilla is cultivated in 10 regions of Madagascar, covering a total area of ​​nearly 64 000 ha. Yet, the Sava region is the main vanilla producing region in Madagascar, and 80% of Madagascar’s exported vanilla come from this region. At least 80 000 farmers make a living there from the production of vanilla.

The United States of America, Europe and Japan are the main destinations of Madagascar’s vanilla which are exported as vanilla pods, vanilla extract, powder or vanilla sugar. On average, domestic production of vanilla is approaching 1 200 tons per year, and 1 000 tons of which are exported, thus making Madagascar a world leader as vanilla exporter. In Madagascar, vanilla commercialization has been liberalized since 1995 and the export tax on vanilla was suppressed in 1997.