Organic Vanilla Pods (Certified Fairtrade)

Our organic vanilla pods are imported in small batches from a fairtrade certified exporter in Sri Lanka. Our organic vanilla pods also called vanilla beans or sticks are of the Planifolia variety also called Bourbon vanilla. Sri Lankan vanilla grown in the Kandy region is renowned for its sweet, fruity and cocoa aromas.

Our organic vanilla pods are approximately 5 inch pods are full, unsplit and weigh approximately 2.25 grams. Their maximum humidity is 30%. In addition to its typical aroma, a fresh pod can be recognized by its elasticity. Finally, unlike cheap spices, ours are steam sterilized and not irradiated, in order to preserve their benefits and nutritional properties.

What does Fairtrade certification mean?

• Fairtrade products are far more than just fair prices, they create sustainable impact in three interconnected areas: economic, social, and environmental. These are known as the three pillars of sustainability:
• Economic: Fairtrade sets economic Standards for farmers and workers to benefit from income security and financial independence. These include the Fairtrade Minimum Price for most commodities, which aims to provide producers with a safety net against falling prices, along with the Fairtrade Premium that provides producers with additional money to invest as they choose. Fairtrade also emphasizes long-term partnerships that help yield sustainable and decent livelihoods.
• Environmental: Environmental criteria emphasize ecologically and agriculturally sound practices, including responsible water and waste management, preserving biodiversity and soil fertility, minimal use of pesticides, and the prohibition of the use of GMOs. Organic production is promoted and rewarded by higher Fairtrade Minimum Prices for organically grown products.
• Social: Social criteria for small-scale producers include requirements on democratic self-organization, participatory decision-making, transparency, and non-discrimination. For hired labour, our Standards require non-discriminatory employment practices, fair pay, freedom of association, and safeguards for worker health and safety. Forced labour and child labour are prohibited under the Fairtrade Standards.

Who is "Joint Agri Product Ceylon" (JAPC)?

• JACP is a medium scale Fairtrade exporter in Sri Lanka that acts as a link between the country's small-scale producers and Western markets. For over thirty years, JAPC has built up a solid network of more than 3,500 producer families throughout the country. A supply chain based on respect and fairness that provides the basis for their diversified production of spices and teas, coconut products and fruits.
• These rural communities have never stopped practicing traditional organic farming. It's a way of life for these farmers, who follow integrated methods such as mixed farming, agroforestry, biodynamic agriculture and biological pest control. In this way, sustainable cash crops, tropical fruits, shade trees for timber, pest-repellent crops, medicinal herbs and home gardens can all be grown side by side on the same plot.
• JAPC rightly considers that these thousands of families are the real wealth of their company. They therefore maintain fair relations with these growers, guaranteeing them long-term purchase of their crops at above-market prices.
• The recipient of numerous awards, JAPC is recognized in its country as a model value-added organic exporter, both for the very high quality of its products and for its commitment to communities. JAPC also holds the most demanding certifications in organic, biodynamic and regenerative agriculture, food safety and quality, and fairtrade.