Sri Lanka Vanilla Bean Cultivation & Processing
Vanilla Cultivation in Sri Lanka started from 1880 by British explore “Antoine Joseph” in Haggala village in Kandy area.
In Sri Lanka Vanilla planifolia mainly grown in central province and low land wet areas. Total extent of the vanilla cultivation in Sri Lanka is more than 100ha.
The Sri Lanka Vanilla farmers using home gardens for growing vanilla as an additional income and are not using chemicals for their vines. With increased demand for Organic Vanilla Beans more farmers in Sri Lanka started to grow more plants. The green vanilla beans price in Sri Lanka is range from $10-20 per Kg.
With increase demand from international wholesalers for Ceylon Vanilla Beans, more businesses entering to production and distribution. But quality of Vanilla beans processing are mainly depend on the expertise of the curing process where only few Sri Lankan Vanilla Producers who have been in industry for many years
The main factors for a successful vanilla cultivation depends on climate, soil condition and other cultural practices during life cycle of the vanilla plant.
Rainfall : 2000-2500mm. Vanilla vine need 2-3 dry months to initiate flowering
Altitude & Temperature : Vanilla grows well upto 1000m above sea level. Best temperature for growing vanilla is 27c, but can grow 21-32c
Soil : Vanilla vine prefer soil with high organic matter (Humus). Also preferred loamy, well drained soil