In Madagascar, vanilla, cloves, cocoa and lychees are not harvested at the same time. Volumes and prices shift with the seasons. For an importer, understanding these cycles means buying at the right time, at the right price and in the right quality. Here is how to read Malagasy seasonality and build a solid purchasing plan.
Why seasonality changes everything
- Quality: new-crop produce is fresher and more aromatic than old stock;
- Volumes: early in the season choice is wide; late in the season the best lots are gone;
- Prices: they react to the size of the crop, and sometimes to the weather (cyclones, drought);
- Logistics: some seasons, like lychee, take up all transport capacity at once.
Benchmarks by supply chain
| Product | Indicative harvest period | What to plan for |
|---|---|---|
| Bourbon vanilla | Green vanilla harvested from mid-year, on dates set by the authorities for each region | Several months of curing before the cured vanilla is available |
| Cloves | September → January | Volumes vary widely from year to year |
| Litchi | Mid-November → January | Book volumes and transport well before the opening |
| Cocoa | Two harvests a year: a main crop and a mid-crop | Fermentation and drying determine when lots become available |
| Coffee | Main harvest around mid-year, depending on species and altitude | Favour coffee from the latest crop |
| Essential oils | Depends on the plant: some year-round, others seasonal | Check the lot’s distillation date |
Building your purchasing plan in 4 steps
- List your annual needs by product, grade and consumption period;
- Cross-check them against the harvest calendar to spot the ideal buying windows;
- Approve new-crop samples before committing to volumes;
- Stagger deliveries to smooth cash flow and keep stock fresh all year.
📅 The EKL Export seasonality table
Every month we publish the status of harvests, exportable volumes and stocks for Madagascar’s main supply chains. See it and download the analysis on our Seasonality page.
Weather and risks: keep a safety margin
Madagascar is exposed to cyclones, mainly between December and March, as well as to droughts. A cyclone can delay a harvest, damage plantations or disrupt ports. To protect yourself: keep a safety stock, accept a range of grades and stay in regular contact with your exporter during the season.
Buying well in Madagascar starts with reading the calendar well.
Frequently asked questions
Can vanilla be bought all year round?
Yes, once cured, vanilla keeps and ships all year. But the best choice is available when new-crop lots reach the market.
What if the harvest is poor?
Plan ahead: book early, accept an alternative grade or spread your purchases. Your exporter can warn you at the first signs.
How can I get the updates?
The table is updated every month on our website. You can also contact us for a personalised update on your products.
Further reading
Let’s plan your year’s purchases together
Tell us your products and volumes: we will propose a purchasing calendar and a quote based on seasonality and actual availability.
