Trade Intelligence
Published 15 July 2026 · By Dominique Zuffour
The Madagascar vanilla supply chain — from SAVA to global shelves.
Madagascar produces 80% of the world's vanilla. Getting it from northeastern farms through curing, grading, and CNV regulation to global flavour houses and retailers is a supply chain with real complexity and real risk at every stage.
Origin
SAVA: where 80% of the world's vanilla grows.
The SAVA region, Sambava, Antalaha, Vohemar, and Andapa in northeastern Madagascar, is the global centre of vanilla production. The volcanic soil, tropical climate, and elevation create ideal conditions for vanilla orchids.
Each vanilla orchid flower must be hand-pollinated within 12 hours of opening. The success rate is low, and the labour intensity is extraordinary. From planting to first harvest takes 3-4 years. The beans are harvested green and then begin a curing process that takes another 6-9 months.
The supply chain
Four stages from farm to export.
Farm to collection point
Smallholder farmers in SAVA harvest green vanilla beans and deliver them to collection points or local buyers. This first mile is where theft and premature harvest are most common. Beans are often sold within days of harvest.
Curing process
Collected beans undergo a 6-9 month curing process involving blanching, sweating, and slow drying. Proper curing develops the vanillin and flavour compounds. The SAVA region's climate is naturally suited to this process, and curing quality varies significantly between operators.
Grading and sale
Cured vanilla is graded by length, moisture, colour, and aroma. Grade A beans command premium prices. Sales happen through CNV-licensed exporters, with pricing subject to CNV minimum price regulations and global market conditions.
Export logistics
Graded vanilla is vacuum-sealed, packed in food-grade containers, and shipped through Toamasina or Antsirabe. Temperature and humidity control during shipping are critical to preserve quality. High value per kg makes security a priority.
Regulation
The CNV controls the sector.
The Comite National de la Vanille (CNV) regulates Madagascar's vanilla sector. It sets minimum export prices, issues annual export licenses to licensed exporters, and enforces quality standards. All vanilla exports must go through CNV-licensed channels.
The official export season is set by government decree each year. Outside the official window, vanilla exports are restricted. This seasonal structure means supply chain planning must account for regulatory timing as well as crop cycles.
Supply chain risks
The risks are real at every stage.
Theft
Green vanilla theft from farms and during transit is a persistent problem. The high value per kilogram makes vanilla a target at every stage of the supply chain. Security measures vary widely between operators.
Premature harvest
Beans harvested before full maturity have lower vanillin content and inferior flavour. The pressure to sell quickly and the proximity of farms to buyers encourages premature harvest, which affects overall quality.
Price volatility
Vanilla prices have historically been extremely volatile, swinging from $50 to $600+ per kilogram. This volatility affects farmer income, buyer planning, and supply chain stability across the entire chain.
Questions buyers ask
Madagascar vanilla supply chain, answered.
- Where is vanilla grown in Madagascar?
- How long does it take to grow vanilla?
- What is the CNV and what does it do?
- When is the vanilla export season?
- How is vanilla quality graded?
- What are the biggest supply chain risks for vanilla?
- How should vanilla be shipped?
Vanilla export logistics from Madagascar to global markets.
Madagascar produces roughly 80% of the world's vanilla, almost entirely from the SAVA region in the northeast. Getting cured, graded beans from SAVA farms through Toamasina port to global flavour houses and retailers requires careful logistics planning: temperature control, security, CNV documentation, and customs clearance.
Planning a vanilla shipment? The logistics matter as much as the grade.
Ekutano Advisory works with vanilla exporters and buyers to plan secure, temperature-controlled shipments from SAVA through Toamasina to global markets.