Prized wild pepper at risk in Madagascar's shrinking forests

Madagascar's forests have shrunk by more than a quarter in the last 30 years. This rare wild pepper is contributing to their decline. Growing on vines that reach into the forest canopy, Voatsiperifery commands up to 200 euros a kilo. Harvesters tear down trees to reach it. The customers who are interested in Voatsiperifery are only those in the fine grocery sector. Because it's quite a rare product, and the quantities, the volumes are not unlimited. It's not a common pepper where you can produce millions of tons. Since a rush for the pepper 20 years ago, harvests have dropped as the forest has been consumed by fires, charcoal production, and slash-and-burn agriculture. And the pepper needs the right environment. It's not something you plant, harvest and sell. It's much more complicated, much more complex than that. Trying to democratise rare products inevitably leads to a drop in quality, a rush for higher volumes. Personally, I don't think that's necessarily a good thing. This entrepreneur is undeterred, attempting to cultivate the pepper domestically and match the success of one of Madagascar's other main exports. I believe we can reach the same level as vanilla in terms of price, in terms of business, in terms of commercial value, and what's more, it's a natural monopoly for Madagascar. Other ways exporters are looking to meet demand without damaging the pepper's natural habitat include certifying authentic peppers based on organic labels or other strict regulations.