Status of vanilla exports

Excerpts from the interview

What is the status of vanilla cultivation this year? Vanilla, we are going to come up in a big way. We are now trying to establish our identity in the international market for Indian vanilla as against the Bourbon vanilla of Madagascar. Our vanilla beans have over two per cent vanillin content. The Board is now branding Indian vanilla through the new brand of spices called Flavourit.

What is the minimum support price the vanilla farmers will get? Is there a specific policy? There is the report about traders and manufacturers prices of vanilla has fallen, what steps been taken to ensure the fair price to vanilla farmers?
There is no MSP for vanilla. The prices determined by demand. The Board is now buying small quantities of vanilla for the flavourit brand, the stress is now in processing vanilla for exports and some initiatives are being made for vanillin extraction also.

We had exported vanilla as follows: In 1999-2000, vanilla exports were at 12 tonnes valued at Rs 1.05 crores. In 12000-01 22 tonnes valued at Rs 5.05 crores and in 2001-02 27 tonnes valued at Rs 17.51 crores and in 2002-03, quantity 25 tonnes valued at Rs 22.25 crores and in 2003-04 quantity 26 tonnes valued at Rs 36.06 crores.

What is the amount of synthetic vanillin in the total vanillin production? Is the synthetic vanillin manufactured in India?
There are two sources for vanillin, which is a flavouring agent used largely in ice creams, confectionaries, liquors, pharmaceuticals, and perfumes. The major source is chemically synthesised vanillin while the minor source is the natural vanillin extracted from cured vanilla beans. The major source is chemically synthesised vanillin while the minor source is the natural vanillin extracted from cured vanilla beans. The total world demand for vanillin is estimated between 12,000 and 30,000 tonnes.

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