Skip to content

Why Choose Ugandan Vanilla Beans

Uganda’s growing conditions and ease of working in the country make it simple to diversify your supply chain. These high-quality vanilla beans are rich in vanillin content and bold in flavor.

Vanilla’s Ideal Growing Conditions

Uganda’s warm, humid weather creates the perfect environment to grow high-quality, mature vanilla beans all year. Uganda is the only place on Earth with two vanilla harvest seasons, one in January and one in July, giving you a regular, ongoing supply. The country’s landlocked location also shields the crop from unforeseen weather, like cyclones.

Consistent Supply

250 MT

2022 Exports

Hands-Off Government Philosophy

In a market known for its ups and downs, Uganda offers simplified sourcing. The government fosters open trade and has an accommodating, hands-off approach, so you don’t have to worry about unexpected or excessive rules. The government has no track record of intervening in prices and deciding who can and can’t participate in the vanilla market. Combined with a short supply chain, sourcing from Uganda is predictable.

Flavor and Vanillin Content in Vanilla Beans

Applications made with Ugandan vanilla beans benefit from exceptional vanilla flavor, as expected from the Vanilla planifolia cultivar. Ugandan vanilla beans and extract’s high vanillin content leaves a rich, bold flavor behind.

Distinguishing notes of buttery cacao and figs come from Uganda’s terroir: the combination of the soil, climate, and topography that gives regional varieties distinctive flavor and aroma.

Learn More

Vanillin
levels up to

4.5%

Organic Certified

Fairtrade Certified

Rainforest Alliance Certified

Kosher

Halal

Non-GMO

Clean Label

HACCP Certified

Up-to-Spec and
Up-to-Standards

Find vanilla beans and extracts available in a variety of grades and specifications.

Versatile Applications

Bold enough to withstand high-heat applications without compromising flavor. Complex enough to win over chefs, pâtisseries, and perfumers.

See Applications

Sweet Goods

Beverages

Dairy & Dairy Alternatives

Health & Wellness

Costmetics & Soap

Vanilla for Climate Resilience

Vanilla is a creeping plant that grows well under tree canopies, encouraging agroforestry and intercropping with crops like coffee, bananas, and fruit trees. This symbiotic relationship increases land productivity, promotes tree planting, and supports zero tillage farming, which is essential for soil regeneration.

See Sustainability

“The Vines Project will make a huge difference in the lives of small-scale farmers while improving the supply chain and vanilla quality.”

—David Hirst
Chief of Party, Vines

“A stable vanilla market allows farmers and industry to thrive. We’re thrilled to see Uganda develop so meaningfully as an origin in recent years.”

—Gaël Lescornec
Executive Director, Sustainable Vanilla Initiative (SVI)

“Ugandan vanilla has a broad flavor profile, making it very versatile for formulating. This origin is one to watch.”

—Henry Todd
VP International Operations, Virginia Dare

“Vanilla from Uganda enriched our offerings and aligned us with sustainable farming, reinforcing our commitment to social responsibility.”

—Dr. Sam Himstedt
Global Vanilla Specialist, Dr. Oetker

“Ugandan Vanilla boasts rich vanillin content and competitive prices. We’ve built our own certified supply chain as we’re confident that Uganda offers a high-quality, sustainable, and reliable alternative to customers.”

—Benoit de Rouffignac
Trader, Touton SA

“Our pastry chefs encourage the use of Ugandan vanilla, as they believe its flavor is a fit for a wide range of food applications.” 

—Muriel Acat-Vergnet
President & CEO, PROVA

Why Uganda?

Hands-off Government

Free Market

Strong Production Base

Short Supply Chain

Exceptional Vanilla

Sustainable Supply

✕