Bird's Eye Chili from Madagascar

APLV was established in 2017 in Madagascar and is a family business specializing in the collection, curing, and exportation of spices and vanilla and its derivatives. The main products are vanilla bourbon beans, cocoa beans, cocoa powder, and chilli pepper. They also offer mace, nutmeg, clove, turmeric, black and pink peppercorn, and cinnamon. They aim to improve the overall standard of living in spice and vanilla bean-growing regions of Madagascar and its vanilla farmers’ quality of life by helping build a middle class in Madagascar while allowing us to provide you with better products. They provide mainly raw ingredients, but the most exquisite blends. APLV is directly involved in planting, growing, harvesting, processing, and marketing spices and vanilla. We focus to provide a unique ‘bean to bottle’ supply chain ensures the entire process follows a sustainable method of production. The company is engaged with farmer cooperatives, producers, wholesalers and retailers. The main markets for the company are are America, Asia, Europe, Oceania, and the Middle East. They have experience exporting to the K and Europe.

The company owns a warehouse in Toamasina where the chilli pepper is dried, packed and stored are stored in an airtight container. The chilli is stored at constant room temperature and away from direct humidity. The product is then packaged in new PP Bags with moisture barrier liners. Once the order is confirmed for one-off shipments in 20ft containers, it takes about 28 to 32 days but with a regular contract, it takes approximately 14 to 21 days. Sea freight is the preferred modes of shipment through the Port of Toamasina.

APLV ensures that they meet the highest quality and standards for spices and vanilla. The selection and taste of their products are of exceptional quality, selecting only the finest spices available on the island. They aim to provide customers with products directly from farmers who only use organic and sustainable agricultural practices. The company ensured that the production method is free of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. They also offer technical education of the local partners about organic production. The company has ECOCERT, GLOBAL G.A.P, HACCP and FAIRTRADE certification.

The cultivation area for chilli pepper is located in Antsapanana, 130 km from Toamasina. The chilli is produced using organic methods of production. After the process of picking the harvested chilli, the are cleaned sorted and friend in the company's processing plant which is in Toamasina. The company aims to produce a “tailor-made” product for their customers.

APLV also work hand in hand with local land-owning producers and farmer organizations around the country allowing to ensure an organic production while supporting them with seeds, technical support to finally purchasing their entire crops. The company collaborates with direct suppliers who work in the conservation of the environment through sustainability practices, providing a fair approach to its people and supporting the farmers through education. Farmers use sustainable farming practices that help protect the unique rainforest biodiversity in and around Madagascar including Analanjorofo, Atsinana, Vatovavy Fitovinany and the north-east coast of Madagascar. Rather than growing in large, mono-cropped plantations, APLV farmers are independent, small-holder farmers whose dense agroforestry systems act much more like a healthy forest, and less like an industrial farm.

Chili peppers (Capsicum annuum) are the fruits of Capsicum pepper plants, notable for their hot flavour. Chilli peppers contain a substance called capsaicin, which gives peppers their characteristic pungency, producing mild to intense spice when eaten. Capsaicin is being studied as an effective treatment for sensory nerve fibre disorders, including pain associated with arthritis, psoriasis, and diabetic neuropathy. It also helps in reducing the pain and its peppery heat stimulates secretions that help clear mucus from your stuffed up nose or congested lungs.

APLV offers Chilli Pepper from Madagascar. It is also called Pili Pili or Sakay Pilo kely and belongs to the Capsicum Frutescens variety. They provide premium quality spice directly from farms to the consumer. the chilli is maximum 10 to 15 mm long and has a uniform red color. The pepper can be consumed for direct consumption or processed into curry powders, jams or seasonings.