Everything you need to know about the Madagascar vanilla industry: Cultivation, collection, and exportation of vanilla from Madagascar to the international market.
In 2023, Madagascar exported a total of $389M in vanilla, primarily to the United States ($143M), but also France ($92.5M) and Germany ($35.5M).
Global demand for vanilla is rising by about 8% annually, driven largely by food and cosmetic industries. This constant demand can be an opportunity for Madagascar which holds the record of having 80% of the world’s vanilla production.
But with this increasing demand, some challenges are also to be faced. Among them is the advances in biotechnology that have led to the development of synthetic vanilla flavors (vanillin). The competitive price and the accessibility usually makes vanillin the default choice for many food manufacturers.
However, Madagascar’s vanilla is worldly renowned for its quality and remains top-tier in the spice exportation market, making it a very interesting industry to invest in.
The Path of Vanilla: From Cultivation to Collection
Cultivation Process
The northeastern regions of Madagascar, particularly the SAVA region encompassing Sambava, Antalaha, Vohémar, and Andapa, provide the ideal tropical environment for vanilla orchids to flourish.
These areas benefit from consistent rainfall patterns, optimal temperature ranges, and rich volcanic soils. Those aspects contribute to the development of vanilla beans with superior flavor profiles and aromatic complexity that command premium prices in international markets.
Vanilla orchids require three to four years to mature before producing their first harvest, and the labor-intensive cultivation process demands specialized knowledge that many locals in the region have mastered over the years.
Each vanilla flower must be hand-pollinated during a brief window of opportunity (typically between October and December), in the early morning hours, and the resulting beans require months of careful curing and processing to develop their characteristic flavor and aroma. The vanilla pods take about 8 to 9 months to mature after pollination.
Vanilla Collection
The harvest of green vanilla pods usually takes place between June and August. The picking process is precise – farmers handpick each green pod at the perfect moment, just before it risks splitting, to ensure optimal quality.
Once harvested, the green pods are not yet aromatic, they undergo a detailed drying process that spans several months. This involves alternately exposing the pods to sunlight and shade, which gradually transforms their flavor and scent.
After drying, the vanilla pods enter the aging stage, where they are stored for several more months in controlled conditions. This final phase deepens their taste and refines the distinctive aroma for which Madagascar’s vanilla is renowned.
A Regulated Activity
It’s important to note that the official dates for the collection and sale of green vanilla and prepared vanilla in Madagascar are set by government decree. This decree also defines the functioning of the National Vanilla Committee (CNV in french). The CNV is responsible for managing the industry and representing both vanilla and its by-products.
The opening of the vanilla campaign (collect of green vanilla, exportation of prepared vanilla) is announced through a government notice. On an average, the market for prepared vanilla typically opens 90 days after the start of the green vanilla campaign in each region. Selling vanilla before the official dates is strictly prohibited
The Transformed Vanilla Export Procedure
Submission of Exportation License
Each exporter must submit an application for an export license before the start of the vanilla export campaign. This annual application announcement is made by “public notice” from the Ministry of Industrialization, Trade, and Consumer Affairs (MICC). The State then publishes the official list of vanilla exporters.
The list of required documents for a new license application or renewal license application is attached to the notice. See here for the 2023–2024 campaign’s notice.
The Exportation Process
| Product Availability | The product must be available 10 days before shipment. This specific timing is crucial as it allows for the necessary quality control measures to be performed on the product. |
| Product Analysis | The analysis of the product must be conducted 10 days prior to shipment. This analysis aims to control the quality of the product, specifically checking its vanillin content and humidity level. For the analysis, three lots of samples are collected. These samples are designated for the exporters, the MICC, and the laboratory, respectively. The results of this analysis are made available within a maximum of 72 hours after the samples are taken. Exporters are advised to keep or have kept in a secure place a sample of the exported quantity. This measure serves as a safeguard against potential future disputes. |
| Quality Conformity | The procedure emphasizes that the quantity and quality of the product must conform to the commercial contract. This ensures that what is exported meets the agreed-upon standards with the buyer. |
| Documentation | A physical-chemical analysis bulletin (Bulletin d’analyses physico-chimiques), specifically detailing the vanillin content and humidity level, is a required document to be attached to the export request. This serves as proof of the product’s quality as determined by the analysis. |
| Customs Verification | During the customs process, a physical joint inspection of the goods is carried out with the MICC/SQC or the quality control service.The goods also undergo scanner checks in the bonded warehouse. This step further reinforces the quality and conformity checks before final export. |
Conclusion
Despite the current instability in the vanilla market that mostly affects the vanilla producers- the price of green vanilla fluctuated from 60,000 Ariary per kilo in previous seasons to around 2,500 Ariary in August 2025- the global demand and international reputation of Madagascar vanilla remain strong.
This price volatility appears more linked to political factors than a decline in quality. For those considering starting a vanilla export business in Madagascar, it is highly advisable to establish a company in Madagascar with the help of locally based experts.
Madagascar Invest, with its deep-rooted presence and expertise on the island, can provide you with valuable support and guidance.
