By John Masaba
Government has declared that the appropriate vanilla harvest for the first season of this year will begin on July 17,2023.
Fred Bwino Kyakulaga, the agriculture state minister, said during the harvest period, the government will put in place mechanisms to ensure only ripe vanilla beans are picked.
The measures include taking strong punitive action against anyone found harvesting, or in possession of green vanilla beans harvested outside the official period.
Currently, vanilla is grown in at least 35 districts of Uganda.
Apart from Madagascar, which is currently the biggest producer of vanilla in the world, no other country in the world produces more vanilla than Uganda, according to the ministry.
Kyakulaga was speaking during the press conference at Uganda Media Centre in Kampala on Monday.
He said that because of its high value, the vanilla industry faces a number of serious issues, including theft of vanilla beans, robbery, murders, premature harvesting and trade in poor quality beans, poor processing, illicit trade against a backdrop of an absent or weak regulatory framework, hence compromising the quality of Uganda’s vanilla and negating the country’s competitiveness.
This, he said, has destabilized the subsector as farmers, looking to secure a return on their investment before it is stolen, have resorted to early harvesting.
The minister warned that anyone involved in vanilla malpractices, including theft, harvesting premature vanilla beans and de-colouring vanilla green beans through roasting, of tougher penalties if arrested.
“This warning also goes to those who are engaged in such illicit activities, especially the traders, processors and exporters, who influence the buying of vanilla before the general harvesting period. Let them know that we shall not allow anyone to jeopardize the quality of Uganda’s vanilla,” said Kyakulaga.
According to Aga Sekalala Jr, an exporter of vanilla from Uganda, picking immature beans reduces the consistency and overall quality of vanilla and damages Uganda’s reputation among global buyers.
This further contributes to a reduction in the overall demand for natural vanilla among global buyers, hence putting additional pressure on volumes and prices.
“If left to mature, Uganda’s vanilla can contain the highest source of vanillin (flavour) in the world because of the unique climate found in Uganda,” he said.
Vanillin is used in flavorings, foods, perfumes, and pharmaceuticals. It is used as a chemical intermediate in the manufacture of several important drugs and other products.
The major markets for Uganda’s vanilla include the US, Indonesia, Canada, France, Germany, Australia, Belgium, South Africa, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, Mauritius, United Arab Emirates, Italy, Denmark, Czech Republic, Switzerland and Republic of Korea.
According to Uganda Export Promotion Board, Uganda exported 89.038 tonnes of cured vanilla worth $8.33m by March, 2023.
