This month exporters in Sambava have started to withhold prices until January and February, choosing to say they “aren’t ready” with all their stock – and so horde beans until they hope the price will have gone over $500 a kg in early 2017.

There is no commodity like vanilla, an this year looks to be the most interesting year in the history of the spice’s market.

Driving toward a payoff or a freefall – 2017 shall tell.