Vanilla Wholesale

What is Vanilla?

Vanilla is a popular spice made from the pods of the Vanilla planifolia orchid. It started in Mexico but is now grown in tropical regions around the world. People love vanilla for its sweet and warm smell, which makes it an important and expensive ingredient in the herb and spice market. It is often used in desserts and drinks, along with cinnamon, cardamom, or clove. Vanilla also plays a key role in the food, drink, cosmetics, and fragrance industries by adding flavor and aroma.

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Types, Varieties & Forms

Vanilla comes in different forms to suit various needs:

• Whole vanilla beans (Grade A or B): Used for infusions, gourmet baking, or extract production.
• Vanilla cuts or splits: Often used in industrial extract manufacturing.
• Ground vanilla: Made from whole pods or spent beans, used in baking and flavor powders.
• Vanilla extract: Typically a hydro-alcoholic solution standardized to 1x, 2x, or higher strengths.
• Vanilla paste: A mix of extract and seeds, often used in visible-flavor luxury products.

Vanilla is mainly derived from Vanilla planifolia (commonly grown in Madagascar, Uganda, and Indonesia), while Vanilla tahitensis (Tahitian vanilla) is softer and more floral, used in premium applications.

Harvest Season

Vanilla is picked once a year. After picking, it takes several months to ripen and dry. The season usually happens from May to September, depending on where it comes from. Madagascar is the biggest supplier, followed by Uganda, Papua New Guinea, India, and Indonesia. Prices can change a lot due to factors like weather, political issues, vanilla theft, and the hard work needed to ripen the vanilla. Buyers should check the vanillin content (which is usually 1.4 to 2.2% in whole beans), moisture levels, and the ripening method when looking at different offers.

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Producing Countries

Madagascar is the leading country in vanilla production, providing about 80% of the world's supply, particularly the Bourbon type. The island's unique climate and traditional curing methods help it stay known for high-quality vanilla.

Other important vanilla-producing countries include:

• Indonesia, which produces high-yield crops for extracts;
• Mexico, the original home of vanilla, known for its rich, spiced beans;
• Papua New Guinea, which offers both Bourbon and Tahitian types; and
• Uganda, a growing source known for good quality and steady harvests.

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Trends

Vanilla is being used more in plant-based dairy products, health drinks, desserts, and flavor systems. People are showing more interest in organic and ethically sourced vanilla. There is also a demand for extracts that have a consistent vanillin content for better cost management and product formulation. In the natural flavor market, vanilla is both a high-end ingredient and a crucial component in global food production.

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Vanilla Manufacturers

Nutrada provides a wide network of vanilla manufacturers and vanilla distributors. They offer food-grade and extract-grade vanilla products that come with traceability and quality documents. Depending on the supplier, available documents include a Certificate of Analysis (COA), vanillin content analysis, moisture levels, microbiological tests, and organic or fair-trade certifications. Suppliers usually follow quality systems like BRC, IFS, or FSSC 22000.

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Bulk Vanilla

Bulk vanilla is sold in whole beans (either by count or weight), ground vanilla, and cut beans. These come in vacuum-sealed bags or cartons of 1 to 5 kilograms. For large food or extract makers, buying in bulk helps with cost control, and consistency amongst batches.

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Private Label Vanilla

Nutrada offers private label options for vanilla products like powder and beans. Our suppliers can handle small to medium orders, usually ranging from 500 to 1,000 units per product. You can choose from jars, pouches, and sachets.

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Organic Vanilla

Organic vanilla is grown without synthetic chemicals and is certified by EU Organic, USDA Organic, or NOP standards. This certification is usually done by groups like ECOCERT, Control Union, or Naturland. Sometimes, it can also have Fair Trade or Rainforest Alliance labels. Buyers of organic vanilla often want detailed information about where it comes from, such as individual co-ops or small farms. They also look for products that are non-ETO (ethylene oxide) and non-irradiated.

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Vanilla Bean Suppliers

Nutrada makes it easy to find vanille bean suppliers in Madagascar, and other places around the world. Our platform allows you to compare suppliers based on where the vanilla comes from, their documents, and quality.

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