Analysis and Studies - Products analysis

Vanilla: import and export

Vanilla is a treasured flavoring that comes from the pods of orchids, particularly Vanilla planifolia. Originating in Mexico and Central America, vanilla was first cultivated by the Totonac people and later popularized worldwide. The process of producing vanilla is complex and labor-intensive, involving hand pollination of the orchid flowers, followed by careful harvesting and curing of the pods to develop their deep, sweet flavor: this intricate process makes vanilla one of the most expensive spices in the world, second only to saffron.

There are various types of vanilla, each with unique characteristics: Bourbon vanilla, named after the Bourbon Islands (now Réunion), is the most widely used and has a classic sweet and creamy profile, while Tahitian vanilla, grown in French Polynesia, offers a more floral and fruitier aroma. Mexican vanilla, the original source, is known for its smooth and slightly spicy flavor.

Vanilla is a versatile ingredient, widely used in cooking and baking, as well as in perfumes and aromatherapy due to its comforting scent, but due to its high cost, synthetic vanillin, which mimics the primary flavor compound in vanilla, is often used as a more affordable alternative in various products.

In 2022, vanilla was the world's 960th most traded product, with a total trade of $927M and between 2021 and 2022 the exports decreased by -3.35%, from $959M to $927M.

In 2022 the most significant exporter was Madagascar, with a trade of $583M, followed by France ($60.3M), Uganda ($44.5M), Canada ($44.2M), and Germany ($34.8M). Whereas the country which importer vanilla the most was the United States, with a trade of $348M, ahead of France ($203M), Germany ($73.7M), Canada ($73M), and Netherlands ($43.9M).

Madagascar's central role as the dominant exporter and an interdependence among some countries create a vanilla market that is highly susceptible to disruptions in Madagascar's supply, but also shows early signs of diversification as smaller exporters begin to carve out their market niches.

The United States is a key driver of global demand, shaping trade patterns from not only Madagascar but also smaller exporters like Uganda and Canada, making them heavily reliant on its consumption. France's dual role as both a leading importer and exporter reflects its position as a key processing and redistribution hub within Europe, while Germany's extensive trade links within Europe establish it as a crucial regional distributor.

  1. Madagascar (62.9%): 36.7% United States, 27.2% France, 9.81% Canada, 7.84% Germany, 5.92% Netherlands, 3.45% Switzerland, 2.18% Mauritius, 0.94% Japan
  2. France (6.51%): 31.1% United States, 10.5% Italy, 10% Poland, 9.84% Germany, 6.38% Belgium, 4.28% Japan, 3.47% Spain, 2.87% Austria, 2.26% Netherlands, 2.07% Madagascar
  3. Uganda (4.8%): 48% United States, 21.8% Canada, 7.48% Germany, 7.41% France, 4.16% Netherlands, 3.43% Australia, 1.44% Belgium, 0.51% Japan
  4. Canada (4.77%): 95.1% United States, 3.21% Japan, 1.38% Germany
  5. Germany (3.75%): 22% Switzerland, 11.6% Denmark, 11.4% United States, 8.7% France, 7.76% Austria, 7.56% Italy, 4.58% Poland, 3.73% Canada, 2.56% Netherlands, 1.77% Belgium

 This graphic confirms the domination of Madagascar as supplier. The United States, as the largest importer, significantly influences global demand, making its reliance on Madagascar and smaller suppliers critical.

 

France shows to be both exporter and importer while Germany is confirmed as a regional distribution hub, balancing imports from Madagascar and other sources to stabilize European supply. The Netherlands also depends largely on Madagascar, reflecting broader European reliance. These dependencies highlight vulnerabilities in the global vanilla supply chain, underscoring the need for importers to consider diversification strategies to mitigate risks and ensure supply stability.

  1. United States (37.5%): 61.5% Madagascar, 12.1% Canada, 6.15% Uganda, 5.78% Indonesia, 5.39% France, 1.31% Papua New Guinea, 1.14% Germany
  2. France (21.9%): 77.9% Madagascar, 4.92% Netherlands, 3.14% Poland, 2.86% Papua New Guinea, 1.62% Uganda, 1.49% Germany
  3. Germany (7.95%): 62% Madagascar, 8.86% Netherlands, 8.05% France, 4.52% Uganda, 2.78% Indonesia, 1.08% Papua New Guinea, 0.83% Canada
  4. Canada (7.87%): 78.4% Madagascar, 13.3% Uganda, 3.48% United States, 1.78% Germany, 0.95% Indonesia, 0.8% Papua New Guinea
  5. Netherlands (4.73%): 78.7% Madagascar, 4.87% United States, 4.23% Uganda, 4% Indonesia, 3.11% France, 2.03% Germany, 0.32% Papua New Guinea

Between 2021 and 2022 the fastest growing exporter was Uganda, with an increase of $32.4M, ahead of Canada ($12.5M), Belgium ($4.67M), Switzerland ($3.17M), and Comoros ($2.13M).

 

 

  1. Uganda: from $12.1M to $44.5M
  2. Canada: from $31.7M to $44.2M
  3. Belgium: from $2.07M to $6.74M
  4. Switzerland: from $3.71M to $6.89M
  5. Comoros: from $5.59M to $7.72M

Whereas the country which saw a fastest growth in imports was the United States, with an increase of $21M, followed by Belgium ($6.62M), United Kingdom ($6.46M), Mauritius ($3.1M), and Madagascar ($1.93M).

 

 

  1. United States: from $327M to $348M
  2. Belgium: from $5.65M to $12.3M
  3. United Kingdom: from $7.99M to $14.5M
  4. Mauritius: from $10M to $13.1M
  5. Madagascar: from $2.12M to $4.05M

Sources: 

https://oec.world/en