Vanilla Congress Heads to Reunion Island This Year
SAINT-DENIS, Reunion; The next International Vanilla Congress will be hosted on the island of Reunion this year.
The 5th installment of the congress will take place June 4-7, 2024 in Saint-Pierre, a city on the northwest coast of the French territory in the Indian Ocean. It marks the first time the gathering will occur in the world's leading vanilla-producing region.
The congress is organized jointly by the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD) and the University of Réunion.
"We are honored to host the International Vanilla Congress in Saint-Pierre in 2024," said Dr. Michel Grisoni, coordinator of the local organizing committee and CIRAD scientist. "This will be a unique opportunity to exchange knowledge and discuss the latest innovations with vanilla producers and specialists from around the world."
The four-day event will include talks, panel discussions, and poster sessions covering topics like sustainability, genetics, and quality optimization of vanilla production.
A highlight of the congress will be a one-day field visit to vanilla plantations around Reunion. Participants will observe cultivation and curing processes firsthand and engage with local farmers. Reunion's dramatic volcanic landscapes will also be featured.
The International Vanilla Congress has been held every 3-4 years since 2004. Previous host cities include Xalapa, Mexico and Tonga. The 2024 congress is expected to draw several hundred attendees.
