The company’s model incorporates ethical sourcing and proprietary technology to deliver consistently high-quality and sustainable vanilla.
The first batch is currently curing and will be available within a matter of weeks.
Vanilla Farms was the first official tenant of the Aberdeenshire-based ONE SeedPod, and recently welcomed Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin, and Kevin Walls, COO at funding competition Scottish EDGE, to the premises for a closer look at the operation.
This came shortly after Vanilla Farms secured the top prize of £150,000 at Scottish EDGE Round 25, backed by Scottish Enterprise.
Gillian Lane, who co-founded Vanilla Farms with Joe Lane, said on the day of the visit: “The global vanilla market is worth over £3 billion, yet remains volatile, wasteful, and opaque. At Vanilla Farms, we’re applying scientific precision to one of the world’s most revered crops – curing vanilla in Scotland to unlock its full flavour, origin, and value, with greater sustainability and year-round consistency.”
Lane added that the firm’s vanilla offers manufacturers in the food industry added certainty – batch-led, terroir-driven, and traceable from origin to jar.
“Moving to our new premises at ONE SeedPod is a major milestone in our journey,” she continued.
“As its first official tenant, we’re proud to represent a new generation of high-impact food and drink businesses redefining what Scotland can bring to the world.”
Meanwhile, Martin described the business as a shining example of the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit driving our business community in the northeast of Scotland.
“By combining sustainable agritech with science-led flavour development, it is creating something truly unique and contributing to a better future for Scotland,” she continued.
Finally, Walls praised Vanilla Farms for its progress since taking the top prize at Scottish EDGE Round 25.
“As winner of the new Mission EDGE award, Vanilla Farms is showcasing the remarkable potential of Scotland’s biotechnology industry and the leading role it can play in both our economic and net zero ambitions”, he said.
ONE SeedPod was developed and is operated by Opportunity North East with funding support from the UK Government, Scottish Government, Just Transition Fund and Scottish Enterprise.
With 11 food-safe manufacturing kitchens, new product development and pilot kitchens, and a demonstration kitchen, ONE SeedPod is designed to help businesses scale, innovate, and compete in high-value markets.
