- The Plant
The clove (Eugenia caryophyllata Thunb) is a tree from the family of Myrtaceae, native to the Moluccas Islands, Indonesia.
The shaft is of conical shape. It can reach 12 to 20m.
Its leaves are evergreen, evergreen oval.
The flowers have four petals pinkish white color, attached to red sepals. But it is the unhatched buds that are harvested to make cloves bud, the main product of Clove.
Over all its parts (flower, leaf, stem, etc.), Clove give a characteristic odor of Eugenol.
- The cultivation
Introduced in Madagascar during the 19th century by Pierre Poivre, Clove cultivation has really started in the early 20th century to be further developped later on most of the east coast of Madagascar from the area of Vangaindrano (Atsimo-Antsinanana region) going through Analanjirofo region up to south Vohemar (SAVA region). The larger share the production comes from the regions of Analanjirofo, Atsinanana, Vatovavy-Fitovinany and Atsimo-Atsinanana.
Even though known by farmers, Clove's plantation remains traditional.
The tree's production is optimal among 20 years. The tree gives maximum performance every 4 to 6 years.
- Production
Madagascar is the second world's largest Cloves producer, with an annual average production of 12 000 MT. Trimeta Agro Food exports mainly to Singapore, India, Europe and the USA.
Click here to see the Clove Buds specifications
