Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla

Vanilla planifolia

Key facts

Origin
Madagascar
Region
Sava region, northeastern Madagascar
Grade
Gourmet and extraction grades
Minimum order
150 kg
smaller quantities discussed
Loading port
Toamasina
Incoterm
FOB
or DAP delivered
Cured vanilla pods laid out in rows on wool blankets during the sweating stage.

About this line

Whole cured pods, typically 13–20 cm. Dark brown to black, flexible and aromatic. Moisture and vanillin profile are supplied to buyer specification, with typical trade moisture between 20% and 35%. The Sava region accounts for the majority of the world’s Bourbon vanilla, and this is the line our sourcing relationships are furthest developed on.

  • Grade, length and moisture confirmed against your written specification before production.
  • Samples available before you commit to a full order.

Technical specification

Length
Typically 13–20 cm
Moisture
Typical trade range 20–35%
Vanillin profile
To buyer specification
Appearance
Dark brown to black, flexible
Grades
Gourmet and extraction
Bundles of graded cured vanilla pods, tied and laid out for packing.

Packing and storage

Packing
Vacuum-sealed food-grade bags; export cartons
Shelf life
18–24 months
Pricing
Quotation on request

From harvest to shipment

6 to 9 months from harvest through preparation to being ready for loading.Green pods, hand-picked as the tips turn slightly yellow.

  1. Blanching

    Dipped briefly in water at around 65°C to halt vegetative growth

  2. Sweating

    Wrapped in blankets inside wooden boxes for 48 hours, turning the pods a deep brown

  3. Sun drying

    Laid on mats in direct sun over several weeks to lower moisture

  4. Shadow ageing

    Moved to indoor racks for one to two months of slow conditioning and flavour maturation

  5. Grading

    Sorted by grade, conditioned and bundled

  6. Shipment

    Packed in waxed paper linings and loaded into maritime containers

This is the preparation cycle, not your delivery lead time.Where the grade and quantity you need is already prepared and available from export stock, shipment is far quicker. Where it depends on a forthcoming harvest, we confirm the timeframe once the crop is in. Tell us your timing at enquiry stage and we will be straight with you about what is realistic.

Quality and documentation

Lots are laboratory tested by our sourcing partners before packing. Each consignment carries a lot-specific certificate of analysis.

Certificates of analysis, phytosanitary certification, certificate of origin and full export paperwork are shared directly with buyers at the point of order. Partner details and certification are not published on this website.

Specifications are indicative. Final specification, packing, shelf life and compliance are confirmed by contract and lot-specific COA. Full commercial terms apply.

Enquire about Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla

Send the grade, volume and specification you need and we will come back with a quotation. Samples are available before you commit to a full order. We predominantly take a minimum order of 150 kg but are happy to discuss smaller quantities. FOB Toamasina or DAP delivered.