(Ecofin Agency) - Madagascar’s vanilla quality is expected to decline further during the 2018 season. This is forecasted by Aust & Hachmann Canada, one of the world's leading vanilla traders, in its vanilla market update published last May 18.

According to the company, vacuum packing and early harvest of green vanilla have degraded quality during last season and will persist in 2018. That will further decline the Malagasy beans on the world market.

In order to combat these practices, the government has deployed a battery of measures which include the obligation for exporters and collectors to register stocks to be shipped after mid-May.

Moreover, it has been decided that exports for the 2018 season will only be made after October 15. Government would also consider imposing a ban on shipments by June 30.

Although these measures would benefit the sector, there is room for improvement. Indeed, Aust & Hachmann Canada indicated that “there had already been significant theft and early harvest of green vanilla beans. Furthermore, the government has yet to demonstrate its ability to enforce such legislation”.

According to the trader, the Big Island could produce 1, 500 tons of vanilla this year, a volume equivalent to that of 2017. 

Espoir Olodo