Vanilla in short supply

ICE cream fans might face a shortage of vanilla in summer.

A cyclone that devastated the island of Madagascar off Africa this year has led to a surge in the price of vanilla pods, putting many ice cream makers in a sticky spot.

Vanilla is one of the world’s most popular flavours and Madagascar produces nearly half the global crop. The cyclone damage has led to a sharp rise in the price of vanilla pods and a scramble for supplies.