Frequently asked questions

Lioka Exporting supplies five lines from Madagascar: Bourbon vanilla, roasted coffee, cocoa, whole black pepper and whole cloves. Vanilla is our priority line and the one our sourcing relationships are furthest developed on. Each line is supplied against the buyer’s written specification rather than a fixed catalogue grade.

Vanilla is sourced from the Sava region in northeastern Madagascar, cocoa from the Ambanja and Ambilobe areas in the north, and coffee, black pepper and cloves from the east coast near Toamasina. The Sava region accounts for the majority of the world’s Bourbon vanilla. The east coast lines are grown close to the port they ship from, which shortens the domestic leg of the supply chain.

Yes. We are based in Toamasina, Madagascar, and ship FOB from Toamasina port. We are also contactable on a UK number, so buyers in Britain and Europe can reach us without an international dial code or a time-zone gap. We work in English and French.

Traceability runs through the written specification and the lot-specific certificate of analysis that accompanies each consignment. Sourcing partners select against the specification agreed before production, lots are laboratory tested before packing, and the COA reports the tested values for your consignment rather than a typical figure. Partner details are shared directly with buyers rather than published.

We supply gourmet and extraction grades of Madagascar Bourbon vanilla. Pods are whole and cured, typically 13–20 cm, dark brown to black, flexible and aromatic. Grade, length and moisture are confirmed against your written specification before production.

Madagascar Bourbon vanilla is Vanilla planifolia grown in Madagascar and cured using the region’s traditional method, which produces the creamy, rounded profile most food and beverage manufacturers recognise as the reference standard. Other origins differ in curing method and flavour profile. Madagascar accounts for the majority of world production, with most of it grown in the Sava region.

Yes. Pods are typically 13–20 cm, and moisture and vanillin profile are supplied to your specification, with typical trade moisture between 20% and 35%. Tell us the parameters your process needs and we will confirm what we can supply before you order.

We supply roasted Madagascar coffee in Arabica and Robusta, grown on the east coast near Toamasina. Variety, roast profile, grind and packing format are agreed with the buyer before production and confirmed per lot. Branding and presentation are arranged to order, so tell us what your market needs at enquiry stage.

We supply fermented cocoa beans and cocoa powder from the Ambanja and Ambilobe areas of northern Madagascar. Beans are dried to approximately 7.5% moisture for secure storage. For powder, fat level, fineness, pH and microbiology are supplied to the agreed specification. Beans are packed in 60–65 kg bags, powder in 20–25 kg bags.

We supply whole black pepper, Piper nigrum L., grown on the east coast of Madagascar. Typical maximum moisture is 12%. Grade, density, volatile oil, piperine content, foreign matter and microbiological limits are confirmed against the purchase specification. Packing is 25 kg food-grade lined bags.

We supply whole dried clove buds, Syzygium aromaticum, in 25 kg food-grade lined bags. Typical maximum moisture is 12%. Volatile oil content and defect tolerances are agreed with the buyer and confirmed per lot.

We predominantly take a minimum order of 150 kg across the order rather than per product line, but we are happy to discuss smaller quantities. Tell us what you need at enquiry stage and we will let you know what is workable.

Yes. Samples are available on request for all our products and are provided free of charge. Vanilla samples are typically 50–100 g per grade, and spice samples 250–500 g. Samples are ordinarily dispatched within 5 to 7 working days of a request being confirmed. You cover the courier cost, and that cost is credited against your first order should you proceed.

A sample represents the agreed specification as closely as is reasonably possible, but it does not remove the natural batch-to-batch variation that comes with an agricultural product. Tolerances are agreed in writing rather than assumed, and the delivered lot is confirmed by its own certificate of analysis.

Our annual capacity is modest by design. We are targeting around five tonnes of vanilla a year alongside a smaller quantity of spices, which is how we maintain close relationships, consistent quality and full traceability on every order. If you have a high-volume requirement, get in touch and we will tell you honestly what is realistic for us to support rather than overcommit.

Pricing is by quotation. Send the line, grade and volume you are considering through the enquiry form and we will come back with a quotation. Agricultural commodities move with the season and the harvest, so we do not publish fixed prices.

Payment is by international bank transfer in GBP. Our standard term is a 50% deposit payable with order, with the balance payable against shipping documents prior to release of the original documents. Established customers with a trading history may be offered alternative arrangements by agreement in writing. Bank, intermediary and conversion charges are borne by the buyer.

Lead times are indicative rather than guaranteed delivery dates. Where the grade and quantity you need is available from export stock, we will give you the earliest practical shipment schedule. Where it depends on a forthcoming harvest, curing or preparation, we confirm the timeframe once the crop and quantity are available. Availability depends on harvesting seasons, curing and drying, grading, export documentation and vessel schedules.

Quality is checked against the specification agreed in writing before production. Sourcing partners select to that specification, lots are laboratory tested before packing for the parameters relevant to the product and your destination market, and each consignment carries a lot-specific certificate of analysis. Lots falling outside the agreed tolerances are not offered.

Yes. A written product specification is agreed before production, and every consignment carries a lot-specific certificate of analysis reporting the tested values for that consignment rather than a typical or indicative figure.

We can provide a certificate of analysis, phytosanitary certificate, certificate of origin, commercial invoice, packing list and transport documentation, according to the product and destination country. If your import formalities require something not listed here, tell us at enquiry stage and we will confirm whether we can provide it before you place an order.

Madagascar’s vanilla trade is a private one, and publicly identifying producers, locations or certification exposes people in the supply chain to risk. It is accepted practice in the trade and we follow it. The documentation exists and is shared directly with buyers once an enquiry is live, rather than published.

Vanilla is supplied in vacuum-sealed food-grade bags and export cartons. Coffee packing is agreed per order. Cocoa beans in 60–65 kg bags, cocoa powder in 20–25 kg bags. Black pepper and cloves in 25 kg food-grade lined bags. Packing format is confirmed as part of your order.

Vanilla 18–24 months, cocoa 12–24 months, black pepper 18–24 months, cloves 18–24 months. Shelf life depends on storage conditions and is confirmed by contract and lot-specific COA. Store cool, dry and out of direct light, in the original sealed packaging until use.

FOB means we prepare and clear the goods for export and deliver them loaded on board the vessel at the agreed port, and you appoint and pay your own freight forwarder for onward carriage and import formalities. It keeps control of routing, cost and paperwork for the main carriage with you. We also supply DAP delivered, where we arrange and pay for carriage to your nominated address and you handle import clearance and any duties. Both are available on all five lines.

Yes. We supply on either FOB Toamasina or DAP delivered, on all five product lines. Under FOB you appoint your own freight forwarder from the port of loading. Under DAP we arrange and pay for carriage to your nominated address, and you handle import clearance and any duties or taxes. Tell us your destination and preferred basis at enquiry stage and we will quote to it.

We ship FOB Toamasina, Madagascar’s largest commercial port. Toamasina is classified a Port of National Interest, is ISPS certified, and handles around 240,000 containers a year.

We supply internationally. Because we sell FOB, the destination is your choice and your freight forwarder’s route. Tell us the destination port at enquiry stage and we will confirm what documentation your market requires before you order.

We work in English and French. Enquiries in either language are welcome.

By enquiry form on this website, by email, by telephone on our Madagascar number, or by WhatsApp on a UK number. The UK line means buyers in Britain and Europe can reach us without an international dial code or a time-zone gap.