10 Biggest Countries of Vanilla Production in The World
10 biggest countries of vanilla production in the world– There are 10 biggest countries of vanilla production in the world in 2024 according to data released by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Commonly, FAO oversees the agriculture sector all over the world. The FAO data summarizes vanilla production worldwide in 2022 from country to continent.
The vanilla commodity has always been interesting to follow because of its high selling value and even considered green gold in ancient times because it had a high economic value. So far, the vanilla plant (Vanilla planifolia) is widely used as a food fragrance, raw material for the food industry such as biscuits, sugar, bread, ice cream. The pharmaceutical industry also uses it to kill bacteria/pathogens and eliminate unpleasant odors. If viewed from the origin, this plant is possible to come from the Americas Region, precisely around Mexico, the Caribbean, and northern South America. Taxonomically, this plant is included in the family Orchidaceae (orchid-orchid tribe) which most of its member species are included in ornamental plant species.
World’s Production and Harvested Areas of Vanilla From 2000 to 2022
| Years | Harvested Areas | Total Production of Vanilla |
|---|---|---|
| (Hectares) | (Tons) | |
| 2000 | 38,292 | 3,988 |
| 2001 | 39,451 | 4,739 |
| 2002 | 39,867 | 5,309 |
| 2003 | 42,393 | 4,826 |
| 2004 | 42,267 | 5,841 |
| 2005 | 79,455 | 7,499 |
| 2006 | 83,773 | 9,060 |
| 2007 | 85,038 | 9,327 |
| 2008 | 89,643 | 9,302 |
| 2009 | 89,793 | 9,176 |
| 2010 | 86,521 | 8,258 |
| 2011 | 95,252 | 8,602 |
| 2012 | 99,582 | 8,052 |
| 2013 | 96,628 | 7,601 |
| 2014 | 96,402 | 7,080 |
| 2015 | 93,030 | 7,219 |
| 2016 | 93,623 | 7,298 |
| 2017 | 92,840 | 7,180 |
| 2018 | 95,373 | 7,040 |
| 2019 | 91,335 | 6,813 |
| 2020 | 91,585 | 6,881 |
| 2021 | 92,066 | 6,888 |
| 2022 92,587 7,704 Source : FAOSTAT, 2024 | ||
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Special agency that deals with world food and agriculture issues, published data on some of the largest vanilla-producing countries in 2022. Basically, Data from FAO shows that the total world vanilla production reaches 7.7 tons with a total planted area reaching 92 thousand hectares. When viewed from the continent, Asia and Africa are still the centers of world vanilla production. In 2022, the African continent was able to produce 3,506 tons of vanilla or 45% of world production. Furthermore, the Asian continent produced 2,780 tons or 36% of world production, the Oceania continent 707 tons or 9% of world production, and the Americas 710 tons or 9% of world production.
Ranking Table of 10 Biggest Countries of vanilla Production in The World
| Ranks | Countries | Production of Vanilla in 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| (Tons) | ||
| 1 | Madagascar | 3033.72 |
| 2 | Indonesia | 1965 |
| 3 | Mexico | 710.27 |
| 4 | Papua New Guinea | 491.48 |
| 5 | China, mainland | 431.67 |
| 6 | Türkiye | 383.8 |
| 7 | Tonga | 240.33 |
| 8 | Uganda | 193.26 |
| 9 | French Polynesia | 187.13 |
| 10 | Comoros | 22.34 |
Source :FAOSTAT, 2024 | ||
In more detail and when viewed from a country perspective, there are some of the largest vanillas producing countries, most of which are in the Asia and Africa Region. Here are some descriptions of the largest vanilla-producing countries in the world and their growing conditions in each country.
Brief Description of 10 Biggest Countries of Vanilla Production in The World
1. Madagascar
Madagascar is the world’s biggest vanilla-producing country, contributing more than 50% to world vanilla production. When viewed from a historical perspective, this plant has long been cultivated since the era of French colonialism. The history of the development of vanilla plants cannot be separated from this island because the inventor of the vanilla plant crossing method, Edmond Albius, was born on this island. In 1841, he was credited with finding a way to pollinate vanilla plants using sticks and hands which was initially difficult to do so that the crop could be harvested optimally.
In 2022, the country’s vanilla production reached 3,033 tons. Based on the geographic area, the northeastern region of Madagascar is the center to produce this plant. Anthalaha, Sambava, Vohemar, and Andapa are some of the country’s main vanilla-producing regions. In terms of functionality and benefits, many of the vanilla produced in this country are exported abroad. Total vanilla exports in 2017 reached 1600 tons.
2. Indonesia
Indonesia is the 2nd biggest vanilla-producing country in the world. In 2022, the total vanilla production reached 1,965 tons with around 52.58% of its domestic vanilla exported to other countries. The total value of Indonesian Vanilla exports reached 87.84 million dollars. Furthermore, In Indonesia, there are several vanilla production centers, namely East Java, Lampung, Central Java, West Java, North Sumatra, NTT, Yogyakarta, Papua, and several areas on the island of Sulawesi.
3. Mexico
Mexico is the 3rd biggest vanilla-producing country in the world. In 2022, the country’s production reached 710 tons. Furthermore, In Mexico, there are some area productions of Vanilla namely are Totonacapan, the Veracruz region, and Oaxaca and Puebla. In addition, Vanilla in Mexico has beneficial usage as raw material for cakes, bread, yogurt, drinks, candy, etc. Even Mexican vanilla products call it the “Molina Vanilla” brand that is popular with people in the United States.
4. Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea is the world’s 4th largest producer. In 2022, its vanilla production reached 491 tons. There are 2 types of vanilla grown in this country: Bourbon (Vanilla planifolia) and Tahitian (V tahitensis). About 50-75% of the vanilla from Papua New Guinea comes from the province of East Sepik, which is concentrated in the districts of Maprik, Dreikikir, and Wosera and is also found in the provinces of Central, Morobe, East New Britain, and Madang.
5. China
China is the world’s 5th biggest producer. In 2022, vanilla production reached 431 tons. Many of these plant development projects are often interrupted and hampered by unexpected production. The government is trying to develop this plant by implementing a vanilla plant development project in Yunan Province with an area of more than 130 hectares and is still running.
6.Turkiye
Turkey is the 6th biggest producer of Vanilla in 2022. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production Vanilla from Turkey reached 383 tons. Because of excessive of vanilla production, Turkey has exported its vanilla to other countries. The main destination of country’s turkey Vanilla are Syria, United Kingdom, Iran, South Korea, and Azerbaijan .
7. Comoros
Comoros is the 7th world’s biggest producer of Vanilla in 2022. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Vanilla from Comoros reached 240 tons.
8. Tonga
Tonga is the 8th biggest producer of Vanilla in 2022. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Vanilla from Tonga reached 193 tons. In this country, vanilla beans from Tonga are frequently used by gourmet chocolate.
9. Uganda
Uganda is the 9th biggest producer of Vanilla in 2022. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Vanilla from Uganda reached 187 tons. In Uganda, there are many growing regions of Vanilla. These regions include Mukono, Jinja, Kamuli, Luweero, Kasese, Mpigi, Kayunga and Bundibugyo districts.
10. French Polinesia
French Polinesia is the 10th biggest producer of Vanilla in 2022. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Vanila from French Polinesia reached 22 tons. Geographically, Taha’a is a main island in this country as the main growing region of Vanilla. The Taha’a is called “vanilla island” because of huge population of Vanilla crops in this island.
11. Malawi
Malawi is one of the biggest producer of Vanilla in 2019. According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT), the production of Vanilla from Malawi reached 20 tonnes,
Bibliography 10 Biggest Countries of Vanilla Production in The World
Zu, Annah .2018. Bracing for the Vanilla Boom accessed via https://www.sapiens.org/culture/madagascar-vanilla-boom/ on July 1, 2020
Madacamp. 2020. Madagascar Vanilla. accessed via https://www.madacamp.com/Madagascar_Vanilla on July 3, 2020
Lovasoa, Rabary. 2018. Madagascar’s vanilla producers expect prices to remain high accessed via https://www.reuters.com/article/madagascar-vanilla/madagascars-vanilla-producers-expect-prices-to-remain-high-idUSL5N1V04HL on July 2, 2020.
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Peter Landau. 1998. China Forges Ahead With Vanilla Despite Sluggish World Market accessed via https://www.icis.com/explore/resources/news/1998/08/10/88375/china-forges-ahead-with-vanilla-despite-sluggish-world-market/#:~:text=China%20also%20has%20a%20government,out%20of%20the%20vanilla%20band.&text=%22We%20have%20developed%20133%20hectares,1.5%20tons%20of%20cured%20beans.%22 on May 30, 2020