Concerns over 'shortage' of popular baking ingredient
Supermarket shoppers have expressed concerns over a vanilla bean 'shortage' that has seen prices increase during previous periods of instability.
We reached out to Daniel Henderson from Australian brand Natural Vanilla Store to find out what the current situation is with vanilla beans and associated products in Australia now the festive baking season is well and truly underway.
Henderson, a vanilla bean expert, has told nine.com.au there was a severe global shortage in 2018 due to serious weather in the world's major vanilla bean growing region in Madagascar.
Shoppers have expressed concerns over a vanilla bean 'shortage', so we've spoken to an expert. Nine
This saw prices peak at more than $US600 per kilo ($908) from a previous price of approximately $US200 per kilo ($302).
This situation has stabilised over recent years, Henderson explained, helped by a change in farming practices following the crisis.
"The extreme high cost of vanilla back in 2018 encouraged many famers located in regions with a suitable climate to grow vanilla to plant vanilla crops," he said.
"From the time of planting a vanilla vine to when it produces the first vanilla pods is approximately three years.
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Natural Vanilla Store products are sold in Woolworths across the country. Woolworths
There was a severe global shortage of vanilla beans in 2018 due to serious weather in Madagascar. Getty
"So, rolling on from 2018, the first vanilla beans from the new crops arrived on the scene around 2021 and supply has increased accordingly to the current levels we have in 2025."
Madagascar remains the largest producer of vanilla in the world and also the producer for the most consistent high-quality vanilla, he said.
"This is due to the regulated export opening and closing dates which are imposed by the Madagascan government to ensure the newly harvested vanilla pods are correctly cured before export."
At Natural Vanilla Store, vanilla beans are imported from "numerous vanilla producing regions around the world".
"We have suppliers in Indonesia, Madagascar, and Uganda for the famous Bourbon vanilla variety, and from Papua New Guinea we source the more floral-flavoured Tahitian variety," Henderson says.
All of their vanilla beans are ethically sourced.
Henderson said the current cost of vanilla beans remains stable.
Shoppers can tell if vanilla beans are of good quality if they look "plump and have a glossy sheen".
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Madagascar remains the largest producer of vanilla in the world. Getty
Prices of vanilla products have since stabilised. Nine
"The optimum moisture content of a vanilla pod should be around 30 per cent, which ensures the vanilla pod is supple and has an oily glossy appearance."
Aside from their most common use in baking, Henderson said the beans are also used surprisingly used by a "substantial amount of brewing and distilling companies that regularly produce batches containing vanilla flavours".
"Vanilla-infused spiced spirits and craft beers have grown in popularity not just in Australia but also around the world," he said.
"Along with this there also the traditional use in ice cream, desserts [like] crème Brulée, panna cotta, baked goods and beverages."
Natural Vanilla Store's best selling product is its high-quality vanilla extract that is alcohol free.
"Traditionally-made vanilla extract uses alcohol not only to infuse the flavours but also act as a preservative," Henderson says.
"The optimum moisture content of a vanilla pod should be around 30 per cent." Natural Vanilla Store
"However, the alcohol tends to overpower the vanilla flavour and in raw foods remains in the food. Only cooked products will evaporate out the alcohol.
"After extensive trials we were able develop a methodology for production of a very good quality alcohol-free vanilla extract, which has now become our most popular vanilla product."
Vanilla beans are also sold in supermarkets alongside a wide range of vanilla extracts and vanilla essence products.
Vanilla extract is a natural product made by soaking vanilla beans in alcohol and water, resulting in a rich, complex, and pure flavour.
Vanilla is an essential part of a lot of recipes associated with festive baking. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Vanilla beans are also sold in supermarkets alongside a wide range of associated products. Nine
Vanilla essence, also called imitation vanilla, is a synthetic, cheaper version made with artificial flavors and colors, which lacks the depth and nuance of the natural extract.
Most supermarkets also sell vanilla bean paste and pods, for more sophisticated foodies.
Happy festive baking!
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