Buying vanilla in Nosy Be (Madagascar)

Hi there, I’m heading to Madagascar for 15 days next March, specifically to Nosy Be, and I’d like to buy some vanilla. Where can I buy it in Nosy Be, and what’s the current price of vanilla? I’ve heard that the price of vanilla has skyrocketed (like everything else, to be honest). If anyone has bought some recently, that would be a huge help. Thanks in advance!

Hi there, You can find vanilla easily and there are lots of street vendors in touristy areas. The main thing is to try to watch out for quality, which isn’t always obvious.

Price-wise, I’m surprised because vanilla has actually dropped a lot after peaking at $600–700 per kilo—that was its recent high. Inflation has nothing to do with the increases or decreases, and by buying it in Madagascar, you’ll still pay way less than if you buy individual pods in Europe.

You can also find it in various shops, and it’s a bit more expensive than on the street, but the quality is usually more consistent. I don’t remember the names.

Hi Din, Thanks for the info. Actually, I have no idea about the prices—I just saw on forums that prices were going up! But that’s great if that’s not the case. For quality, I’ll play it by ear since I’m not an expert either. I think the pods should be really supple. What price do you think I can find them at without getting ripped off? Have a good evening, Corinne

Unfortunately, I can't say exactly. Even just a few weeks ago, people were offering us bundles of vanilla (which shouldn’t have a slightly alcoholic smell, should be quite flexible without being too damp, and without any mold, etc.). I’m not an expert either. Usually, they were offering it for around 100,000 Ar, which is about 20 €, but I don’t know how many grams that was. In any case, it was a lot of pods, and each pod cost very little compared to prices in France. That doesn’t help much, sorry

Thanks for the tips, and yes, 20 € for a good number of pods is a great deal!

to give you an idea... it was on the east coast a while back... walking trip from Tamatave to Maroantsetra

Oh yeah, that sounds tempting—I should be able to find what I need 😋

Are you only going to Nosy Be? What’s your planned itinerary?

yes Nosy Be and the surrounding islands

...... that was 20 euros but I don’t know how many grams it was. In any case, it was a lot of pods ....

Hi 😉 Vanilla pods 18.5/19 cm are about 300 pods per kilo, so roughly 3.3 g per pod. The last kilo I bought in Antalaha was 200,000 Ar, about 45 €. I give the vanilla to family and friends because I don’t use much—I still have about ten pods left that I bought in ......2014 (16 cm pods, 140,000 Ar, 44 € per kilo at the time, when the Ariary was at 3,170 Ar to 1 €). Antalaha, the world capital of vanilla, where I spend two months every year since 2011, mainly for fishing. When I ride my motorcycle through the avenue where most of the exporters and conditioners are during the season, the smell of vanilla is overwhelming! 🙂

Hello,

I saw that you’re spending 15 days in Madagascar. I also noticed you’re interested in vanilla. That’s why I’m reaching out—I’m one of the vanilla-farming producers in Antalaha, the world capital of vanilla. With 3 or 4 of the 15 days you have, I’d love to invite you to discover the world capital of vanilla at our cooperative of vanilla-farming producers. You’ll get to visit the bush to explore vanilla plantations, meet local farmers, and even help out a little with maintaining the vanilla fields.

Best regards.

Hello, Thank you for your reply, but unfortunately we won’t be passing through Antalaha this time—maybe another time!

Best regards

Hi, in France the company Prince de Bretagne also produces Made in France vanilla, just in case...

https://www.princedebretagne.com/nos-legumes/vanille-de-bretagne