Trade partner
U.S. Imports
$39.9M
August 2026
U.S. Exports
$2.6M
August 2026
Trade deficit
$37.3M
August 2026 · U.S. imports more than it exports
In August 2026 the United States imported $39.9M from Madagascar and exported $2.6M to it, across 306 imported product categories.
Over the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $570.5M from Madagascar and exported $36.9M to it. In August 2026, the U.S. ran a monthly goods trade deficit of $37.3M with Madagascar, importing 15.2× as much as it exported. Compared with August 2025, U.S. goods imports from Madagascar in August 2026 (preliminary) were 14% lower. U.S. goods imports from Madagascar of $39.9M in August 2026 ran 12% below the year-to-date monthly average of $45.3M.
Madagascar is the world's dominant supplier of natural vanilla — the cured bean of Vanilla planifolia — giving it outsized influence over global vanilla pricing and making supply-chain disruptions on the island a direct concern for US food manufacturers and flavor houses. Beyond vanilla, Madagascar exports cloves, raffia, and a range of seafood products, as well as chromite and other minerals. Food and agricultural imports are subject to FDA admissibility procedures, and the high value-to-weight ratio of vanilla makes accurate HTS classification and valuation critical to avoid customs disputes.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
Because Madagascar produces the large majority of the world's natural vanilla, cyclones or droughts on the island can sharply reduce harvests and cause price spikes that ripple through the global market for months. US food manufacturers and flavor houses often respond by building strategic inventory ahead of the cyclone season (January–March), locking in forward contracts, or qualifying alternative vanilla origins as a hedge against supply disruption.
US tariff schedules distinguish between vanilla beans (whole, whether or not processed), vanilla extracts, and vanilla powder or paste, each falling under different HTS headings with potentially different duty rates. Importers should ensure that the physical form of the product — whole bean, extract, or processed preparation — is accurately described on entry documentation, as misclassification can trigger CBP penalties. A licensed customs broker familiar with spice classifications can help navigate these distinctions.
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The top U.S. imports from Madagascar are Whole Vanilla Beans (Not Crushed or Ground), Knit Cashmere Sweaters and Men's & Boys' Woven Cotton Shirts, by value in the latest month.
| Rank | Product | Import value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.7M | |
| 2 | $3.4M | |
| 3 | $2.3M | |
| 4 | $2.2M | |
| 5 | $2.2M | |
| 6 | $2.2M | |
| 7 | $2.0M | |
| 8 | $1.8M | |
| 9 | $1.4M | |
| 10 | $1.3M |
| $232K |
| 4 | $150K |
| 5 | $138K |
| 6 | $127K |
| 7 | $117K |
| 8 | $102K |
| 9 | $84K |
| 10 | $84K |
Annual data from BEA | 2025
Services Exports
$47.0M
Services Imports
$36.0M