enawo

 

 Cyclone Enawo that tore through the East African Island of Madagascar last week has left about 78 dead and about 250 others wounded.

 Additionally, the cyclone displaced some 250,000 inhabitants and destroyed vanilla farmlands on the tropical island, sending fears that there might be an increase in the price of vanilla products due to its impending shortage.

 According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Commission, Madagascar produces nearly half of the world’s vanilla and the destruction of the fields by the cyclone will lead to estimated losses of up to 30 percent.

 Mamy Razakarivony, President of the National Vanilla Exporters Group believes that the expected rise in the prices of vanilla and its allied products will drive away buyers and that locals will begin to sell immature vanilla pods that were damaged by the storm, the resultant effect being the influx of poor quality vanilla into the world market.