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Vanilla Update – June

By June 19, 2017June 10th, 2021Industry News

WHAT THE?

We didn’t think it was possible, but the craziness continues. No, this has nothing to do with Washington, but politics does play a part. The price of vanilla beans and vanilla extract has continued to soar beyond anyone’s expectation. The latest blow was a typhoon that ravaged part of the already severely compromised crop in Madagascar, the world’s major producer of vanilla.

With beans more than double record prices, bad players have entered the supply chain making things even worse. Theft has become a major issue and immature green beans are being picked and sold off as premium beans. The political situation in the Republic has never fully recovered from the chaos of the 2009 coup and corruption continues to run rampant.  

We refer you to our bulletin of February this year for some useful alternatives to vanilla. Remember not to yell at us as we quote prices for certified quality beans and extract. Likewise, be suspicious of what seem like surprisingly low prices. The surprise most probably won’t be a good one. Diluted extract and funky beans aren’t worth much at all.