Deep Roots

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Overcoming the shameful paradox

in Madagascar’s vanilla sector

Anselm Iwundu, Executive Director, Fairfood International

The top five importers of Madagascar vanilla (2011)

Source: Fairfood (2014)

here is absolutely no reason why small farmers

producing the world’s most used flavouring and

the second most expensive spice in the world –

vanilla – should live in abject poverty. This is, however,

currently the case in Madagascar. About 80,000 small-

scale farmers produce Madagascar’s vanilla, the majority

of whom live off less than US$1 a day and suffer extreme

income insecurity. Meanwhile, Madagascar is the world’s

top producer of natural vanilla.

This paradox is shameful but can be overcome by concerted

efforts from key players. Multinational brands and flavour

houses sourcing vanilla from Madagascar could ensure that

these small farmers receive a fair income. International civil

society organizations focusing on Madagascar can empower

these farmers to advocate socioeconomic fairness for

themselves. African governments and international donor

agencies can invest in projects that directly empower these

famers and ensure their income security. With the United

Nations declaring 2014 as the International Year of Family

Farming and the African Union calling 2014 the Year of

Agriculture and Food Security in Africa, there is no better

time to overcome this paradox than now.

Madagascar is widely recognized as one of the world’s

biodiversity hotspots, rich in unique wildlife, and with a

beautiful and diverse ecosystem. The country is also a major

producer and the largest exporter of vanilla,

the second most

expensive spice and the most popular flavour in the world.

Madagascar accounts for about 50-80 per cent of global

vanilla exports. It exports vanilla to mainly five countries:

the US, France, Germany, Canada and Japan. Over 80 per

cent of vanilla imported in France comes from Madagascar.

Despite this, Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in

the world and consistently ranks low in major food security

indices. Oxfam recently ranked Madagascar as one of worst

places in the world to eat,

and a country where people face

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