Vanilla flowers

In 2024, exports of vanilla were worth a total US$430.1 million.

Exports of vanilla plummeted in value by an average -51.6% since 2020 when export sales for vanilla were $889.4 million.

Year over year, overall export revenues from sales of the fragrant and tasty spice fell by -19.3% compared to $533 million during 2023.

Vanilla comes from special orchid flowers notably Mexican flat-leaved flower pods. Vanilla is widely used as a baking ingredient, as well as a flavor enhancement in the commercial production of food, beverages, perfumes, cosmetics and aromatherapy products.

By value, the top 5 biggest exporters of vanilla in 2024 were Madagascar, France, Uganda, Germany and the Netherlands. Combined, that leading cohort sold over three-quarters (77.8%) of all vanilla exported during 2024.

Madagascar is an island country off the East African coast.

Applying a continental perspective, countries located in Africa supplied the highest dollar worth of exported vanilla during 2024 with shipments valued at $260.6 million or 60.6% of the global total. In second place were exporters in Europe (24.4%) trailed by those in North America (6.1%), Asia (5.3%), then Oceania (3.4%) led by Papua New Guinea. A tinier percentage originated from Latin America (0.2%) excluding Mexico but including the Caribbean.

Shifting our focus to imports, the 5 leading importers of vanilla in 2024 were the United States of America, France, Germany, Canada and the Netherlands. Combined, that quintet of top import countries bought over three-quarters (76.6%) of globally imported vanilla as measured by dollar value.

The above percentages suggest the total 83 exporters of vanilla (77.8% for the corresponding top 5 exporters) compares with 148 buying countries, islands and territories. The top 5 importers accounted for a slightly smaller portion of the corresponding world total, as specified above at 76.6%.

As for global imports of vanilla by continent, over half (55.1%) of vanilla purchased on international markets was delivered to customers in Europe. In second place were importers in North America (36.1%) then Asia (6.1%), Africa (1.1%), Oceania (1%) led by Australia and New Zealand, then buyers in Latin America (0.5%) excluding Mexico but including the Caribbean.

By value, the listed 20 countries shipped 96.4% of globally exported vanilla in 2024.

Among the top exporters, the fastest-growing vanilla exporters since 2023 were: India (up 222.9%), Saudi Arabia (up 26.2%), Belgium (up 12.5%) and French Polynesia (up 6%).

Those countries that posted declines in their exported vanilla sales were led by: United Kingdom (down -78.8% from 2023), Mauritius (down -77.3%), United States of America (down -34.4%), Singapore (down -32.4%) and Germany (down -32.2%).

The overall cost for imported vanilla retreated by -44.6% over the 5-year period starting in 2020 and plummeted by -26.6% year over year since 2023.

Below are the 20 best buying markets as measured by the highest dollar value worth of vanilla imported during 2024, for any vanilla regardless of whether crushed or ground.

By value, the listed 20 countries bought 93.8% of globally imported vanilla in 2024.

Among the top importers, the growth markets for vanilla since 2023 were Saudi Arabia (up 64.5%) and Denmark (up 1.9%).

Those countries that posted declines in their imported vanilla purchases were led by: Mauritius (down -82.4% from 2023), Belgium (down -58.9%), Netherlands (down -48.5%), United Kingdom (down -47.8%) and South Korea (down -37.5%).

Like another high-priced spice saffron, vanilla is one of the world’s most valuable spices shipped on global markets.

We calculated the average unit price paid by importers of non-crushed and unground vanilla to be $51,559 per ton in 2024. That dollar amount is -62.8% cheaper than the average $138,736 for 2023.

Processed vanilla exports scored a lower unit price. For crushed or ground vanilla, the average unit price paid by importers was $22,512 per ton in 2024 down by -11.3% from the average tonnage rate of $25,388 for 2023. In this scenario, the lower average price is driven more by the geography of supplying countries rather than labor and other processing expenses.

For research purposes, the 6-digit Harmonized Tariff System code prefix is 090510 for vanilla that is neither crushed nor ground, and 090520 for crushed or ground vanilla.

Drilling down by the type of vanilla, 91.6% of world vanilla exports by sales were for non-crushed and unground vanilla. The remaining 8.4% was collected for shipments of crushed or ground vanilla.

See also Top Exported Spices by Sales, Weight and Unit Value, Cinnamon Exports by Country, Top Garlic Exports by Country and Top Cloves Exports & Imports by Country Plus Average Prices

Research Sources:
Alibaba, Vanilla Showroom. Accessed on July 9, 2025

Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook Field Listing: Exports – Commodities. Accessed on July 9, 2025

International Trade Centre, Trade Map. Accessed on July 9, 2025

Wikipedia, Vanilla. Accessed on July 9, 2025