Vanilla market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The vanilla market size in Western Asia exhibited considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023. Starting at 398.2 t in 2018, it fell sharply to 274.5 t in 2019, then saw a modest recovery to 285.7 t in 2020. A major surge followed in 2021, pushing the market to a high of 473.5 t, before it settled to 426.4 t in 2022 and climbed again to 466.3 t in 2023.

Domestic production provided a stable foundation, growing consistently from 335.6 t in 2018 to 395.5 t in 2023. However, the market's overall volume was significantly shaped by fluctuating trade patterns. Imports ranged from a peak of 337.8 t down to 152.0 t, while exports varied between 140.5 t and 275.1 t, creating pronounced year-to-year swings in net available supply.

The period was marked by two distinct phases: a contraction in 2019 followed by a strong expansion cycle. The market's peak in 2021 coincided with a notable increase in net imports, highlighting the region's dependence on international trade flows to meet demand alongside its growing domestic output.

Production vanilla in Western Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of vanilla, 2017-2020

World map of production of vanilla, 2017-2020

Vanilla production in Western Asia has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 357.3 t of vanilla, marking a moderate increase of 3.2% compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 10.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports vanilla from Western Asia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Western Asia exported 249.8 t of vanilla, up 11.8% from 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 44.6%, averaging an annual increase of 13.1%. The peak export volume occurred in 2018 at 275.1 t, with the largest year-on-year jump of 59.2% also recorded that year. Conversely, 2019 saw the steepest decline, with exports dropping by 18.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Western Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Western Asia's vanilla exports reached a diverse array of markets. Even the top three destinations—Sudan, Iran, and Guinea—collectively accounted for just 5.6% of total export volume, highlighting the widespread distribution of these shipments.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Western Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The export value of vanilla from Western Asia showed considerable volatility between 2017 and 2020. In 2020, exports totaled 7 188 K $ US, a sharp decline of 46.2% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 13 365 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 335.1%. Overall, exports fluctuated significantly, with a 5.6-fold difference between the low in 2017 and the peak in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Western Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the main destinations for Western Asia's vanilla exports by value were Madagascar, the United Kingdom, and India. Madagascar alone accounted for 47.4% of export value, followed by the UK at 7.5% and India at 4.1%. Together, these three markets made up 59.1% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Western Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports vanilla to Western Asia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Western Asia imported 178.3 t of vanilla, a strong increase of 17.3% compared to 2019. However, over the full period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 33.4%, with an average annual decrease of 12.7%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 152.0 t, which also experienced the largest drop of 55.0%. In contrast, imports peaked in 2018 at 337.8 t, with the biggest rise of 26.2% occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Western Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

The sources of vanilla imports to Western Asia from 2017 to 2020 were highly dispersed. The top three suppliers—China, India, and Norway—together represented only 9.0% of total import volume, with China at 4.5%, India at 2.6%, and Norway at 1.9%. The remaining 91.0% came from a wide range of other countries.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Western Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After two consecutive years of decline, vanilla imports to Western Asia rebounded in 2020, reaching 5 340 K $ US—a slight increase of 1.7% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 4%, averaging an annual drop of 1.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 5 249 K $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 5.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Western Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value-based import structure for vanilla in Western Asia from 2017 to 2020 reflects a diversified partner base. The leading suppliers were Madagascar, France, and India, contributing 19.2%, 12.0%, and 6.9% of import value, respectively. Combined, they accounted for 38.0% of total flows, while the remaining 62.0% was spread across numerous smaller markets.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Western Asia in value, 2017-2020