Vanilla ** Prices Going Up

February 12, 2002

Hey Marilyn,

> Hi Chris, selketqt, all...

>

> I don't know about you, Chris, but seems to me that any good vanilla has

> about quadrupled in price over the last couple years.... I remember when

> it was wayyyyyyyy less. Wonder why?

I have three possibilities to suggest (maybe four) .. one I am sure of

and two I only suspect .. the last one is just a catch all.

1. The Fragrance Trade has begun to use more vanillin, the primary

chemical from the seed pod of the vanilla orchard .. so it is in greater

demand .. thus a smaller supply for the traditional uses. Sure of this!

2. The loss of lots of vanilla trees in Madagascar .. I read this

somewhere but can't remember where.

3. Many vanilla orchards must be pollinated by hand now because the

insect critter that used to do most of it is now almost extinct .. (I

saw this on a TV nature program once .. I think) and labor costs even in

the Third World have increased.

Though there are other inferior varieties .. like one in Tahiti .. it is

still the one from Madagascar that is sought after .. like the

Sandalwood from the area of Mysore is prized.

If all the above is bovine excrement .. we can blame it on the Taliban -

or if we are otherwise inclined, blame it on President Bush .. ;-p

> Hugs,

> Marilyn

Y'all keep smiling, Butch http://www.AV-AT.com

> > Chris, I am interested (depending on the price), right now I only use

> > Vanilla fo. Selket

> >

> > > I'm unfortunately still out of vanilla beans It has been very

> > > hard for me to find good beans at a good price without having to buy

> > > a ton of them ... MAYBE (just a passing thought here) when I get

> > > myself into the swing of things again (which will be soon!) I can do

> > > a vanilla bean and/or vanilla oil co-op, if folks are interested

> > >

> > > *Smile*

> > > Chris (list mom)

> > >

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