OUR STORY
The foundation of our company is intricately woven with our family story. In the early 1900s, the first generation of our family traveled from India to Madagascar in search of a better life. After a long sailing journey, they settled on the eastern shores of our island. It's a timeless and universal story of immigrants striving for a better future, not only for themselves but also for the generations to come.
Once the family placed its roots in the SAVA region, they started their business, "Société Jiwajee & Fils," a company that still exists today under the stewardship of our founder, Jiwajee's grandson. Operating from a modest house on the city's main street—nestled between the river and the sea—the business initially focused on selling rolls of fabric and construction supplies. As with any venture, challenges arose, and soon the second generation stepped in to assist.
With the help of their sons and wives, the family business thrived once again, gradually expanding to include the collection of coffee, vanilla, and cloves on one side, while importing materials on the other. In the late 1970s, brothers Kaizar and Firoze founded AFH Trading. While Firoze managed importations, Kaizar focused on exporting Madagascar's most renowned products: vanilla, cloves, coffee, and cocoa.In its earliest days, AFH Export was a small operation. During the preparation season, even the family home was used to dry vanilla beans, utilizing every sunlit surface—including the roof. The liberalization of the vanilla market, combined with Kaizar's growing expertise and partnerships, enabled the company to expand further. New facilities were acquired to handle increased volumes of vanilla, coffee, and cloves.
A decade later, AFH Export reached new heights with the involvement of Kaizar's sons. At its core, the company has always been guided by family values, a principle that continues to define its operations today.
For us, doing business is about mutual support—a philosophy that extends beyond our family to include farmers, collectors, employees, and customers. We take pride in the enduring relationships we’ve cultivated with all those who contribute to bringing our precious and fragrant vanilla to the world.
Now, under the stewardship of the third generation, AFH Export carries forward its founder's legacy while embracing modernized processes and approaches. The future looks bright as we continue to honor our heritage and innovate for the generations to come.