Extraction : Vanilla Facts : Growing Regions : History : FAQs

Vanilla beans grow within 20 degrees north or south of the Equator in tropical regions of the world. However, like wine, vanilla flavors vary depending upon the climate and soil conditions of the country of origin, as well as the cultivation, drying and curing processes used. While Madagascar is the world‚s primary growing region, cured vanilla beans are produced  in the Comoros Islands, French Polynesia, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Tonga and Uganda. These growing regions produce high-quality vanilla beans that offer unique and different flavor profiles.  The primary growing regions we use for our Rodelle Vanilla products are Madagascar and  Uganda.  
 
In Madagascar and Uganda, we are part of a team working on sustainable development efforts that seek to improve management practices and working conditions, protect the environment and improve the livelihood of the growers at the grassroots level.  Each year, we visit our growing regions to connect with the growers and our suppliers and improve upon our development efforts. We also inspect production, and ensure that we are sourcing the highest-quality beans for our Rodelle products.  We are committed to producing superior vanilla products for years to come.  To make this vision a reality, we understand that we need to be part of efforts that protect the environment while improving the lives of vanilla growers.  For more information about our work with the growing regions, click here.
 

 
Madagascar
 
Located off the southeast coast of Africa, Madagascar is an island in the Indian Ocean.  World production of cured vanilla beans averages between 2,000 to 2,500 metric tons a year.  Madagascar remains the number one vanilla-producing country in the world, accounting for more than 60 percent of global production.  
 
Madagascar has one vanilla season a year.  The vanilla growing region of Madagascar is commonly referred to as the SAVA, which is a small triangle of four key vanilla-producing cities (Sambava, Antalaha, Vohémar, and Andapa) off the northeast coast of the country.  There are more than 80,000 registered vanilla growers in this region.  On average each grower supports a family of five, making more than 400,000 people in the region dependent on the vanilla trade.  Taxes generated by the vanilla industry also fund the reconstruction of the road that connects these cities.  Completed in 2005, the road is known as the "Route de la vanille".Madagascar vanilla beans are called Bourbon beans because French colonists first started production of vanilla on the Isle de Bourbon, which is known today as the Island of Réunion.  Madagascar’s Bourbon vanilla beans are of the species Vanilla Planifolia and are known for a rich, smooth, sweet, almond flavor.
 

 
Uganda
 
Located in east Africa, Uganda’s vanilla industry is young compared to other growing regions.  While vanilla production in Uganda started in the 1950’s, it did not become very established until the 1990’s.  In 1996, annual exports of cured beans were less than five metric tons. Since then, production and exports have progressively increased, and in 2005 the country exported more than 185 metric tons of cured beans.  The vanilla trade has injected an economic boost to many rural villages where farmers typically earn an average of $2 dollars a day.

Rainy and tropical, Ugandan vanilla-growing regions have two dry seasons per year, which allows for two vanilla harvests per year, unlike Madagascar which only has one vanilla season.  Uganda’s vanilla-producing region includes the districts of Bundibugyo, Kayunga, Kesese, Kiboga, Masaka, and Mukono.  Uganda produces both extract grade and black gourmet beans. The species grown is Vanilla Planifolia and the regional flavor profile for Ugandan vanilla is subtle, sweet and balsamic.