From rainforest to restaurant

In Madagascar, the world's largest vanilla supplier, cyclones regularly cause damage. These weather conditions, partly caused by climate change, frequently lead to crop failures and price fluctuations. To spread the risks, Verstegen is therefore developing a fully regenerative and transparent vanilla supply chain in Costa Rica. Sustainable, fair, and future-proof.

Spider monkeys among the vanilla

Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world. Nestled amidst national parks and forest reserves teeming with spider monkeys, toucans, and neon-colored frogs, Verstegen is collaborating with the startup Aromas de Osa—specializing in processing green vanilla beans—and the Osacoop farmers' cooperative to create sustainable vanilla cultivation within a regenerative system. The Osa Peninsula offers the perfect climate for vanilla, with wild vanilla varieties naturally growing there. Osacoop farmers are increasingly replacing their monocultures, such as oil palm plantations, with diverse, sustainable plantings. Twenty-two farmers have already transitioned to vanilla cultivation, each with 150 to 300 plants. Together, they have approximately 6,000 vanilla plants. These plantations create green corridors where animals, birds, and insects can move freely. Vanilla is a climbing plant that requires partial shade. That's why the plant lends itself so well to a regenerative agroforestry system alongside cocoa trees, fruit trees, banana plants, and palms. Such a diverse regenerative system also ensures economic stability. Because farmers combine multiple crops, they are less dependent on a single harvest. If the vanilla yield isn't great, cocoa or bananas still provide income, and vice versa.

Better for the planet, better for the farmer

The farming cooperative Osacoop, Aromas de Osa, and Verstegen are helping farmers transition. Through workshops, they learn how to work regeneratively, using cover crops and crop diversity as the foundation for healthy plants and resilient soil. Farmers who switch to regenerative agriculture are encouraged to do so and receive a portion of the vanilla cuttings and organic soil improvers free of charge. An Osacoop model farm demonstrates the benefits of this transition for farmers: despite heavy rainfall this year, the vanilla plants there were in full bloom, resulting in a beautiful harvest. This further convinces farmers of a well-functioning regenerative system with healthy, mulched soil and the right amount of light filtering.

Promising first harvest

In 2025, the first 200 kilograms of green vanilla beans were harvested, yielding approximately 50 kilograms of processed (black) beans. This may seem modest, but it takes about three years for a cutting of the tropical climbing orchid to flower. Production will increase in the coming years. After harvest, the green vanilla beans are processed at Aromas de Osa. Instead of traditionally drying the beans in the sun, they use solar-powered drying rooms where temperature and humidity are closely controlled. This ensures a more consistent product, independent of changing weather. Scientific innovation is also underway. Researchers from the University of Costa Rica and the University of Leuven are analyzing the genetic properties of various wild vanilla varieties. This allows varieties to be bred with new aromas that are more resistant to heat and drought—important research in a rapidly changing climate.

The future of Costa Rican vanilla

Farmers in Osa are already working with an innovative hybrid vanilla variety: a cross between the well-known Vanilla planifolia and the lesser-known Vanilla pompona. This variety is more disease-resistant and produces larger pods. Moreover, the pods of this variety have a unique aroma: full, smooth, and with notes of chocolate and flowers. In Costa Rica, they dream that their vanilla will soon be as beloved by chefs and pastry chefs as that of Madagascar. Not only because of the short supply chain and sustainable sourcing, but especially because of its distinctive aroma. Restaurants will proudly display it on their menus: "Costa Rican vanilla crème brûlée." If this succeeds, the local economy will also receive a boost. Residents of Osa often rely solely on tourism and small-scale agriculture as their only source of income. But by cultivating valuable crops like vanilla and transitioning to a regenerative system, a more stable and broader revenue model will emerge. This way, everyone benefits: from soil to tree, from farmer to baker, from rainforest to restaurant.

From forest to plate

Verstegen's three sustainability pillars:

Space for nature

We want to leave the world in good condition for future generations. That's why we contribute to nature restoration and ensure that wildlife retains its natural habitat, for example, by creating natural corridors. Our regenerative systems function as natural corridors. By working without pesticides, biodiversity is preserved.

Better for people

Farmers must be able to support their families, but also have the space to invest in the future. That's why they receive a fair price for their spices, and we offer safe working conditions, training on vanilla, and support for vanilla cultivation. We're also exploring how we can increase farmers' earnings through the use of carbon credits.

Good for the climate

We support farmers in transitioning to regenerative agriculture. This ensures a future-proof and resilient food system. By using ground cover and diverse plantings during cultivation, the soil remains healthy and reduces CO2 emissions.