Vanilla growers can hope to relish better days again

KOCHI: The natural vanilla prices are expected to go up in the current year with a 30% shortfall in crop predicted. The farmers have shown a lack of interest in manual pollination of vanilla flowers as the prices are down. Apart from this, the prolonged dry spell has also contributed to the crop damage. Last year the crop was close to 200 tonnes.

The series of cyclones that recently hit Madagascar, the largest global vanilla producer, has not yet affected the vanilla crop seriously, as per the market reports, Mr Jose said. When vanilla production in Madagascar was hit a few years ago, the global vanilla prices went through the roof touching staggering Rs 3,500 per kg.

Meanwhile, Vanilla India Producer Company (Vanilco), the company formed by the vanilla farmers, is launching more products to strengthen its presence in the local market. With international buyers hard to come by, Vanilco has directed its efforts on the domestic market. The latest attempt by the company is soap with vanilla fragrance.

It already has around 20 products including perfumes, virgin oil, agarbatis, flavoured tea and coffee, apart from vanilla extracts and powder. Vanilco MD Paul Jose claimed that it is the first time a company is launching soap with natural vanilla aroma.

“We don’t claim any health benefits. But it will have a lingering natural vanilla aroma,” he says. It is categorised in the premium category as natural vanilla price is higher. A 150 gm bar is priced at Rs 30. Vanilco is negotiating with Campco for launching chocolates with natural vanilla extracts. Campco will produce the chocolates which will be marketed under the Vanilco brand. The company is already selling its extracts to several ice cream companies.

Yet another product from Vanilco stable is vanilla booster, which can be added to synthetic vanilla to get a natural vanilla flavour. Mr Paul Jose admitted the wide price difference between the natural and synthetic vanilla stood in the way of wider acceptance of the former.

While 750 ml of synthetic vanilla extract sells under Rs 200, the corresponding price of natural vanilla comes to Rs 1,000. “There needs to be more awareness on the beneficial effects of natural vanilla for improved sales,” Mr Jose said.