Why a vanilla milkshake can be more expensive

Cyclones, drought and vanilla theft in Madagascar – which produces about 80% of the world's most popular vanilla – have contributed to the price spike by consuming less.

For McCormick & Co, the world's largest spice company, the scarcity of vanilla has prompted it to start cultivating an alternative source on the north coast of Papua, Indonesia.

McCormick, who sells vanilla and its extract to retailers, restaurants and packaged food manufacturers, said it pbaded on the higher costs to buyers.