Vanilla farmers see ray of hope

Vanilla seems to be the flavour of the season, if you go by the claims made by Vanilla India Producers Company recently.

The firm is drawing up major plans to make inroads in foreign shores with its new products.

In a recent interview to a newspaper, Vanilco managing director Paul Jose said the company has bagged an export order from Sri Lanka for its toilet soap that was launched recently. A consignment of 5,000 cartons of vanilla soap would be shipped to Lanka soon. Vanilla soap is also in good demand in the European countries.

This is a major step as far as vanilla sector is concerned. Following a huge price crash, vanilla farmers have been reeling under severe financial crisis and there were incidents when farmers cut their plants and burnt it to register their protest.

Vanilco has plans to associate with a Dutch company to market its products in Europe. An MoU with the Dutch company would be signed

soon and this would give a big boost to the company's products in the overseas market. Vanilco currently produces and markets 24 vanilla-based products across the country.

According to Vanilco officials, the company recently introduced vanilla paste, a ready-to-use product mainly for the baking industry. The company launched the paste in 100 gm, 500 gm, 1 kg and 5 kg packets and it will reduce wastage when using vanilla in various food products. The company had test-marketed the product in India and received good response from co-operative giants like Amul.

The product has a good demand in the European market and it will be exported to Europe soon. Vanilla Total Extract, a specialised product of the company, is also getting good orders from the European market.

Recently, Vanilco had introduced its third vanilla-based perfume, Infinity. Vanilco's success may spell good fortunes for the country's struggling vanilla farmers.