Michel Arrion, executive director of the ICCO, upon his arrival in Antananarivo, accompanied by Malagasy representatives. Madagascar is seeking to better promote the quality of its cocoa on international markets. Today, August 27 at 9 a.m., at the Colbert Hotel in Antananarivo, the country is welcoming Michel Arrion, executive director of the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO).

This visit will be marked by the signing of the International Cocoa Agreement 2026. It comes as Madagascar holds the vice-presidency of the ICCO and seeks to strengthen its position in international discussions on the future of the sector. The country recently mobilized in Brussels to defend producers' concerns amid falling international prices.

The agreement is particularly important for Malagasy cocoa. Its Annex C recognizes Madagascar as the only African country where 100% of cocoa bean exports are classified as "fine or flavor cocoa." This international recognition is a major asset for better positioning Malagasy cocoa on the markets.

For the Government and the National Cocoa Council (CNC), the challenge is now to transform this distinction into concrete benefits for the sector, particularly for producers. Discussions with the ICCO will focus on quality, sustainability, traceability, markets, and the promotion of Madagascar's origin.

Lucia Rabarijaona