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Vanilla
Top Exporters
Here is what I found — a ranking by **vanilla bean export / production *volume* (tonnes)** in or around 2024, for *origin countries only* (strict growers). Note: not all data distinguishes clearly “exported beans only” vs “beans + processed products,” and for some countries the exact 2024 figure is approximated or reported via a national statement, so take small margins of error. --- ### đ± Top Vanilla Bean Growers, Ranked by Volume (Tonnes, 2024) | Rank | Country | Approx. Tonnes of Vanilla Beans in 2024* | Notes on Data / Caveats | | ---- | ---------------- | --------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 1 | Madagascar | ~ **~3,100 tonnes** | Reported as highest production in 2024 among all origin growers. ([IndexBox][1]) | | 2 | Indonesia | ~ **1,900 tonnes** | Also among top origin producers. ([IndexBox][1]) | | 3 | Uganda | **604 tonnes** | Exported 604 metric tonnes in 2024. Uganda is a grower; this seems to refer to beans. ([Big News Network][2]) | | 4 | Mexico | ~ **512 tonnes** | Mexico shows up in global production data as ~512 tonnes. ([IndexBox][3]) | | 5 | Papua New Guinea | ~ **491 tonnes** | Production data for PNG is around this number. ([World Population Review][4]) | | 6 | Turkey | ~ **492 tonnes** | This is curious; Turkey appears in export-volume data but unclear whether all from domestic production. Might need verification if strictly origin-grown. ([IndexBox][3]) | | 7 | Comoros | ~ **219 tonnes** | Produces a smaller amount; data shows ~200-300 t. ([World Population Review][4]) | | 8 | China | ~ **434 tonnes** | Production data lists China; but many sources suggest China may import or process. For strict origin inclusion, China may be borderline depending on whether it exports pure domestic beans. ([World Population Review][4]) | | 9 | Thailand | (No solid 2024 bean-only export figure found) | Thailand shows up in “lagging behind” group in production but I didn’t find a clear export-bean-only number. ([IndexBox][3]) | * *“Approx.” = reported or estimated in source documents; where “exports” is used, assumed to refer to beans unless stated otherwise.* --- ### ✅ Refined List: Strict Origin-Only Grower Countries with Confirmed Bean Export / Production Volume From the above, the countries that are clearly **strict origin growers** (producing domestically; no evidence of mass re-exporting of imported beans) with solid numbers are: 1. **Madagascar** — ~3,100 tonnes ([IndexBox][1]) 2. **Indonesia** — ~1,900 tonnes ([IndexBox][1]) 3. **Uganda** — 604 tonnes exported (beans) ([Big News Network][2]) 4. **Mexico** — ~512 tonnes production; likely mostly domestic ([IndexBox][3]) 5. **Papua New Guinea** — ~491 tonnes domestic production/export ([IndexBox][3]) 6. **Comoros** — ~219 tonnes domestic production/export ([World Population Review][4]) --- Why Vanilla Data Is So Vague Here’s why the supply chain is such a black box: Problem Explanation Re-export masking: most vanilla doesn’t go straight from farm → end buyer. Instead, it goes farm → middleman → curing → dealer → importer → blender → exporter → wholesaler → manufacturer. France and the Netherlands export more vanilla value than they grow by importing raw beans, blending or rehydrating them, and re-exporting as "local" product. Customs Classification Tricks: many countries lump vanilla beans, extract, oleoresin, powder, and even synthetic vanillin under the same HS code (0905) — making it impossible to distinguish real beans vs processed vanilla. Corporate Secrecy: major buyers like NestlĂ©, Unilever, Coca-Cola, Danone, General Mills, Mars don’t want people knowing how concentrated their sourcing is — or how dependent they are on a few politically fragile farming regions. Smallholder Farming 90% of the world’s vanilla comes from tiny farms (less than 1 hectare). Many aren’t even registered as official exporters — beans pass through informal networks before hitting traceable markets. “Natural Vanilla” Isn’t Always Vanilla Bean Up to 90% of vanilla flavoring on shelves is NOT from beans — it’s synthetic vanillin made from wood pulp, petrochemicals, or even cow dung lignin (yep, that's real). Manufacturers don't want people comparing volumes of real vs imitation. | Product | Real Supply | Synthetic Replacement | % of Market That’s Fake | True Demand If Real Was Available? | | ------------------------------------- | ------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------- | | **Vanilla** | ~2,000 tons natural | **40,000+ tons** synthetic vanillin | **99%+** of "vanilla" sold is fake | Likely **20× higher** | Countries Capable of Growing Vanilla Americas Brazil Colombia Costa Rica Dominican Republic Ecuador Guatemala Honduras Nicaragua Africa Cameroon Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Nigeria SĂŁo TomĂ© and PrĂncipe Tanzania Asia-Pacific India Malaysia Philippines Sri Lanka Thailand Vietnam ❌ Regions Not Suitable China, Russia, Europe → Too cold North America (except Mexico, Caribbean, Central America) → Too cold Middle East, North Africa, Australia → Too dry
