Why Big Brands Are Turning To Vanilla From Uganda

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Vanilla is so valuable that it's been called "green gold." At its peak in 2017, prices reached nearly $600 per kilo, making it the second-most expensive spice in the world. But by 2024, prices had crashed to roughly $50 per kilo. That volatility stems from one major factor: The world depends heavily on Madagascar, which has historically supplied about 80% of natural vanilla. When storms, theft, early harvesting, or policy changes hit Madagascar's crop, the entire global market feels it. Now, buyers are looking for another source — and Uganda is quickly emerging as vanilla's next big player. With two harvest seasons a year, improved quality controls, and growing demand from major brands like Ben & Jerry's and Nielsen-Massey, Uganda could help stabilize and make natural vanilla more affordable. So, why is vanilla so expensive? And can Uganda step in to help stabilize global prices? 00:00 - Intro 01:22 - Origins of Vanilla 02:12 - Rise of Madagascar in Vanilla Production 03:16 - Problems Facing Madagascar 05:12 - Uganda as an Alternative Vanilla Source 07:09 - Uganda's Quality Harvest 09:14 - Uganda's Quality Processing 12:04 - Global Buyers Sourcing Uganda's Vanilla 15:03 - Challenges and Future of the Vanilla Market 17:25 - Credits ------------------------------------------------------ #vanilla #Madagascar #uganda #soexpensive MORE SO EXPENSIVE VIDEOS: Should Organic Food Be So Expensive? https://youtu.be/bG6bXMhy0Ps The Real Reason America's Weapons Are So Expensive https://youtu.be/oslN3LtaBqI There's More Caviar Than Ever. Why Is It Still So Expensive? https://youtu.be/5Y_5MozNiZk Business Insider is a global newsroom covering business, technology, innovation, and the economy. Visit our homepage for the top stories of the day: https://www.businessinsider.com/?utm_source=youtube Sign up for our newsletters: https://www.businessinsider.com/subscription/newsletter?utm_source=youtube Find Business Insider on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/businessinsider ... on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/businessinsider ... on X: https://x.com/BusinessInsider ... on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessinsider Why Big Brands Are Turning To Vanilla From Uganda | So Expensive