Unilever and partners to support sustainable vanilla production in Madagascar

British-Dutch giant Unilever and German ingredient supplier Symrise have partnered with federal enterprise Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) to support the sustainable production of vanilla in Sava region, Madagascar.

The partnership, which includes a three-year programme, aims to secure sustainable vanilla supply and provide farming communities with improved access to secondary education and training in agricultural best practices.

The programme will serve 32 communities and operate through farmer field schools, to increase vanilla productivity as well as encourage crop diversification.

It is partly funded within the framework of the develoPPP.de programme of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

GIZ is working on behalf of the BMZ and plays a prominent role in developing and monitoring the programme.

Madagascar accounts for 79% of natural vanilla supply across the world.

Vanilla is used as an ingredient in Unilever’s ice cream brands including Magnum, Breyers and Carte D’Or.

Over the past several years, Symrise and Unilever have been working with smallholder farmers in the Sava region and the latest move will further accelerate the plans.

Unilever chief procurement officer Dhaval Buch said, "The fact that this programme has a focus on agricultural entrepreneurs and prioritises women for training makes it even more valuable.

"For us, this is a key example of how a partnership can work to increase the positive social impact in our supply chain."

Symrise CEO Heinz-Jürgen Bertram stated, "We are very excited about the comprehensive development programme we have now set up together with our partners Unilever and GIZ."