Vanilla price rises in Maprik, attracts interest

By SAMANTHA KATI
THE price of vanilla in Maprik, East Sepik has been slowly increasing since the start of the year, says farmer and buyer Godfrey Air.
Air, from Dreikikier, East Sepik, said the price was not good last year because of a lack of a market so he stopped buying vanilla and exporting around April last year.
“Papindo Trading, our major vanilla buyer in Maprik, had to stop buying beans,” he said
“However, with the current situation (bad weather) in Madagascar, we are able to see the surge in prices and I resumed buying vanilla beans again,” he said.
He buys vanilla according to quality.
“Current price for A grade (high-quality vanilla bean) is K165 (per kilogramme), B grade (good beans) is K110 and C grade (rejected beans) at K55,” he said.
Air urged farmers to look after their vanilla crops as the price could increase even more.
BKT Farmers Cooperative Society Ltd manager Blasius Satuhan said cultivating vanilla in East Sepik, particularly in Maprik, was ongoing despite the low prices.
“People cultivate vanilla and sell them to local and outside buyers,” he said.
Satuhan said some sell now rejected or low-quality vanilla beans but kept the high-grade beans to sell when the price increased.
“The current surge in price will compensate people very well and would encourage people to rehabilitate and maintain their vanilla crops,” he said.